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of the services of foreign doctors in these refuges made at the beginning of February by the Protestant Missions of Chêngtu, on the ground that there are enough Chinese: doctors available for the purpose. On learning, however, that Mr. Alexander, the Honorary Secretary for the Society for the Suppression of the Opium Trade, was on his way to Chêngtu, the Viceroy expressed a desire to see him, apparently because it was rumoured that he was the bearer of a new and most efficacious opium remedy. Mr. Alexander reached Chêngtu on the 18th February. The Viceroy received him very cordially, and in the course of conversation more than once stated that China was "with united heart" determined to suppress and eradicate the use of opium. He showed great interest in the new cure---an infusion of the leaves of a creeping myrtle from Negri Sembilan- which has effected some wonderful cures in the Malay Peninsula, and of which Mr. Alexander was able to show him some specimens. Mr. Alexander has since tele- graphed to Hong Kong for 100 taels' worth of plants, and an attempt will be made to introduce them into Szechuan, At Mr. Alexander's suggestion the Board of Foreign Affairs arranged for a public meeting, which took place on the 27th February. Some 4,000 people of all classes, including several officials and a large number of missionaries, attended. The meeting was most successful. Speeches were delivered by the police Taotai, by the Director of the Imperial College, and by Mr. Alexander, the latter announcing that the British Government had promised to co-operate with China in the suppression of the opium trade.
Public notice has been given that all opium divans must be closed in six months' time, dating from the 13th February. During the latter half of this period all taxes on these establishments will be remitted. In the year 1902 the number of opium divans in Chêngtu was reckoned at 7,000, but this probably was the number of those open in the whole province; at the present time there are said to be only some 450 open in Chồng. ther notice issued by the Police Department orders all vendors of opium pills to themselves with four guarantors, and to take out licences at the Central Station.
A
The Viceroy has issued an order fixing the limit of six months for all officials, civil or military, whether holding substantive posts or on the expectant list, to give up the use of opium. Opium-smoking officials in the capital are given ten days in which to report themselves to the Provincial Treasurer and the head office, and have their names entered on the "black list"; other officials are instructed to report to their superiors within one month from the date these instructions are received. At the expiry of the period of probation those officials who can produce proof that they have abandoned the habit will be confirmed in their posts; those who cannot do this will be removed from office, without, however, losing rank. These rules do not apply to officials over 60 years of age. As a considerable number of the high provincial officials, including the Director of Education, are reputed to be habitual opium-smokers, the results of this order will be watched with much interest.
A proclamation has been issued by Huang Taotai, Delegate of the Board of Revenue, charged with the collection of the duty on opium in the Provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kueichou, explaining the manner in which the new tax is to be collected, and exhorting the natives to refrain from the use of opium.
The Taotal points out that the object of the present scheme of taxation is the prohibition of opium, and that the tax is in reality paid by the consumer, and not by the merchant. After expatiating on the inability of the cultivators and firms who stock the opium to pay the tax, and the hardship to which merchants of other provinces, who buy the drug for export, would be subjected if duty were levied both at the time of purchase and export, Mr. Huang gives a brief outline of the Honan system now to be adopted in Szechuan in order to obviate the above difficulties. Under this system licensed opium hongs will be established throughout the province, through whom all transactions in opium will be conducted, and who will be responsible to the officials for the management of the opium trade. With reference to the export of opium, Mr. Huang states that permits to purchase will be issued to merchants on receipt of particulars. On purchase of the full quantity specified in the certificate duty will be paid at the nearest barrier, for which a receipt will be handed to the merchant. The opium may then be conveyed to the place of export, where it shall be reported and exainined. After com- pletion of this formality it may be repacked and clearance will be granted on surrender of the original permit and receipt. After mentioning that the date of enforcement of these Regulations will be found in another Proclamation, Mr. Huang ends by making an earnest appeal as a native of Szechuan to his fellow provincials to give up the habit of opium smoking, and exhorts them to come to the aid of the Throne in its struggle to put down this evil.
III. Foochow
The anti-opium Society formed in the city and its neighbourhood is said to be most energetic, and is a very influential league of the gentry and well-to-do merchants. At its inaugural meeting in the city both the Prefect and one of the District Magistrates spoke very strongly in favour of the Society's efforts to put a stop to the growth of the poppy and the sale of the drug. The Acting Viceroy delayed in issuing the Imperial Edict, and the Committee of the Society anticipated his action by issuing copies of the same, and circulating them widely through the city and suburbs. Large and successful refuges have been opened in one or two centres, where the victims of the habit are treated and cured free of cost. There is no mention yet made in the Viceroy's Proclamation of restricting the cultivation of the poppy, but it is expected that orders will soon be issued prohibiting it. No licences to opium smokers have yet been issued. All opium dens are to be closed in May; the Proclamation issued forbids new opium dens to be opened. It is said that no Acting Magistrate dares to smoke opium any longer.
IV. Hangchou
Some efforts are being made to give effect to the Opium Rules. Officials who smoke have been ordered to report themselves. These will probably carry out their instructions fairly strictly, for fear of subsequent blackmail if they do not. A number
of Delegates have now been appointed to supervise those who have reported themselves. A Proclamation has been issued ordering the closure of all opium dens within six months. The Tartar General has issued orders that all dens in the Manchu garrison are to be closed, and all soldiers or officers under his command are to cease smoking opium within three months under penalty of death. He does not, however, seem to be very much in earnest over it himself; he told a missionary at Hangehow with great glee that he would be able to continue smoking himself, as, being over 60, the Rules did not apply to him. He is a veteran smoker.
V. Hankow.
Native newspapers report that the Provincial Judge, realizing that nothing can be done unless the opium shops are shut down, has decided to eradicate them from the third month (May), and a Proclamation will shortly be issued to that effect.
The same paper states that opium-shop licences are to be taken away from the same date.
A later paper announces that a censor sent in a Memorial suggesting that opium licences should be abolished so as to purify the sources of national income. The Finance Board decided that if licences were stopped there would no longer be any means of ascertaining the amount of opium in the country, but suggested, as an alternative, a progressively increasing tax which, in ten years' time, would exactly double the price of the drug, when, even with prohibition, the consumption would be placed beyond the means of the wealthy.
A paper, dated the 16th March, states that the opium prohibition question in Hupei has been soon settled. The Viceroy has now issued numbers of prohibition Proclama- tions, which have been posted up in all the thoroughfares, enjoining upon all opium saloons to cease their functions from the first day of the third moon (middle of May), and take up some other line of business.
VI. Shanghae and South Kiangsu.
Issue of Proclamations.--From Soochow it is reported that the Governor has ordered the three District Magistrates to issue a joint Proclamation forbidding all eating houses, wine shops, and tea houses, &c., to provide couches or other opium-smoking accessories for the use of their guests, the prohibition to take effect from the 13th February (Chinese New Year's day). All infractions are to be punished by closure of the offending establishments. Opium shops are given six months in which to close.
Shanghae.-The Provincial Judge has issued a Proclamation to be posted up in the This document gives a time limit of six months for opium shops to close, and [2475 s-3]
streets.
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