(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government 1
35258 [Septelober 9.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30119]
No. 1.
RECS, 4 OCT 07 SECTION 4.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 9.)
(No. 362.) Sir,
Peking, July 25, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 310 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up by Mr. Garnett from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls and from Mission stations 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 by Mr. Garnett respecting Opium.
Canton.
HIS Majesty's Consul-General reports on the 29th June as follows:--
"When the Imperial Edict was first issued there was a considerable movement among the anti-opium Societies and the student class in the way of a propaganda against the drug. Some well-attended meetings were held and strong speeches made against it. No official action was, however, taken, beyond an order issued by the Viceroy some three or four months ago that all officials were to stop using opium within six months on pain of dismissal,
"It has now been announced that on the 1st of the 7th moon (9th August) all the opium divans must register themselves, and the lower class ones, where 'dross' is chiefly consumed, will be closed. The police have also been instructed to stop the consumption of opium in all hotels, restaurants, and brothels from the same date. It is curious to note that during the past few months the Provincial Government has been doing its utmost to create opium farms for the two Kuang provinces on the lines of the Hong Kong farm. How the suppression of the drug and fair play to the farmer were to be made compatible does not appear. However, the scheme has fallen through, owing to the immense practical difficulties it presents, and possibly also because the Viceroy has now realized that the Central Government is really in earnest. It is satisfactory to note that, in spite of the official apathy hitherto displayed, a strong feeling bas been aroused, especially among the younger generation, against opium smoking, which no longer holds the place it did as a fashionable vice on festive occasions. From cases of the care of confirmed smokers which bave come under my notice, I feel convinced that the taking of opium into the system by means of the pipe is a far less deeply-rooted vice than that of opium-eating, or of the hypodermic injection of morphia."
Changsha.
Missionary reports from this district are fairly encouraging. A number of Proclamations have been issued by the local officials, and a time fixed for the closing of the opium shops, while no new ones have been allowed to open. The provincial authorities have decided, too, to open establishments to receive those desirous of abandoning the opium habit. A general desire for the success of the anti-opium movement is expressed, but the missionaries from whose reports the above facts are taken work in districts where either no opium is grown or a very limited aren is given up to the poppy.
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