[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 1230
CHINA TRADE.
[August 23.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
SECTION 1.
[32139]
No. 1.
Extract from "Hansard" of August 23, 1907.
Opium Shops and Dens in British Concessions and Settlements in China.
The Lord Bishop of Southwark, who had given notice of his intention to ask the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he could give any information as to the intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to opium shops in the foreign quarters of towns in other parts of which these shops had been closed by the Chinese Government, and whether he could make any statement as to the instructions to be given to the British Representative at the approaching International Conference on the matter, said: My Lords, the question I wish to put to the noble Lord the Under- Secretary for Foreign Affairs is not by way of criticism but simply in order to obtain information. There has been certain anxiety caused by some notices in the press with regard to the closing by the Chinese Government of the opium houses in some of the great towns-Shanghae, Canton, and Foochow-in which there are foreign Settle- ments. It is understood that this has been carried out by the authority of the Government, and carried out as part of a reform movement which appears to have enlisted a great deal of public enthusiasm. The fear which has been suggested is that- this may lead to a very large influx of opium smokers into the still more numerous opium houses of foreign Settlements, causing probably great scandal and perhaps disorder. The question was asked in another place of the Foreign Secretary some few weeks ago.
At that time the action which the Chinese Government was taking had not become plain. The Foreign Secretary said that he would ask for more information, and my desire now is to ask the noble Lord whether he can give us information as to what the municipal authorities in foreign Settlements are likely to do, and whether the Foreign Office is able to excrcise any influence, and intends to use its influence any way. Then, in connection with that, it has been announced that there is to be an International Conference upon the opium question, and I wish to ask respectfully--- though I am quite aware that the noble Lord may not be able to give me any information-whether he can say anything about the instructions that will be given to the British Representative, especially with regard to this matter of the opium houses. I beg to put the question of which I have given notice.
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The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Lord Fitzmaurice): The right reverend Prelate has raised a very interesting matter by the question which he has asked, but at this very late hour of the evening I think your Lordships would probably prefer that I confined my reply, tempting as the subject-matter is, to what is strictly necessary in order to give the information asked for.
His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been instructed that it is desirable that the Municipal Councils of all British Concessions and Settlements in China should be moved to close any opium shops or dens that may exist in them, subject to the proviso that effective measures have been previously taken by the Chinese authorities to close establishments of this nature outside the Concessions. Of course what is actually done in each Concession will depend upon the particular circumstances of the case.
We have not yet heard that China has given any formal assent to the proposal of the United States Government for inquiry by a Conference or Commission of the Powers chiefly interested, though we have expressed our readiness to take part in it. No British Representative has in consequence yet been appointed, and the question of what instructions should be given to him has not yet been considered.
His Majesty's Government are in entire sympathy with the wish of the Chinese Government to diminish as much as possible the consumption of opium in China, and
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