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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
27519
[ 15.]
REG 2, AUG 07 SECTION 1.
-560
[23391]
(No. 259.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 15.)
Peking, May 30, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 212 of the 2nd instant, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum which has been drawn up for me from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls since that date on the progress of the measures which are being taken in the provinces for the enforcement of the Imperial Regulations against the use of opium.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
}
Inclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum respecting the Enforcement of the Opium Regulations in the Provinces of China.
Amoy.
THE local importers of Indian opium are complaining of the proposal to double the tax on foreign opium. They argue that, although the tax on the native drug has been doubled, the sole result is that more and more is smuggled. This evasion of the customs dues is practically impossible so far as foreign opium is concerned, and consequently Indian opium is being ousted by native opium, although the latter appears in but moderate quantities in the official returns. A general impression prevails that while the more important officials certainly seem to be abandoning the consumption of opium, the petty officials still continue as before, possibly exchanging opium for the cheaper drug, morphia.
The area under poppy cultivation in the Amoy district does not yet show any signs of decrease, actual or impending, though official statistics may show the contrary by classifying under rice or wheat land which is really devoted to the poppy.
A missionary reports from Chinchew that the number of poppy fields in his district is enormous. Giving some particulars as to the individuals who smoke opium, he says that the men far preponderate over women. As to the classes into which the Chinese divide society- gentry, farmers, mechanics, and merchants-the first and last class seem to be more addicted to it than the farmers and mechanics. In some it seeins a lack of anything to do to occupy the time, in others plenty of means, in a third class undue fatigue and exertion is the reason for beginning the habit. In a good many the habit is begun to cure some real or imaginary trouble. The number of opium smokers seem to be decreasing, and the present agitation is doubtless having some effect. No local rules or regulations have been issued in Chinchew. Several of the prominent literati have given up the habit, and a large ancestral hall has been opened for its cure. Some literary men come to the missionaries for cure because they propose going to Peking for examination, and hear that the rules in the north are very strict, and no opium smoker will be allowed to enter.
The attitude of the people generally toward such measures as are proposed to be taken is one of scepticism as to their being actually carried out.
Chengtu.
The anti-opium Proclamations have been widely posted, and in some of the larger towns orders have been given for the closing of opium shops and divans within the six months' limit; otherwise the movement appears to have made but little headway. The
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