[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
18 MAY 08 517
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[April 24.]
SECTION 2.
[13979]
(No. 149.)
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 24.)
Sir,
Peking, March 30, 1908.
IN confirmation of my telegram No. 75 of the 21st instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, reporting the unanimous adoption by the Shanghae ratepayers of the Resolution providing for the reduction by one quarter of the present number of licensed opium-houses from the 1st July next, and the statement of the Chairman that the Municipal Council's policy aimed at the total suppression of such houses in the course of the next two years.
I have, &c.
(For His Majesty's Minister),
(Signed) STEPHEN LEECH.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan
(No. 35.)
Sir,
Shanghae, March 21, 1908.
AS I had the honour to telegraph to you last night, at the Annual Meeting of Shanghae ratepayers held yesterday the following Resolution was proposed by Mr. D. Landale, the Chairman of the retiring Council, and passed unanimously :
"That the number of licensed opium-houses be reduced by one quarter from the 1st July, 1908, or from such other early date and in such manner as may appear advisable to the Council for 1908-1909."
Mr. Landale, in moving the Resolution, stated that the policy of the Council was one making for total suppression in the course of two years. As a start it was proposed to close 25 per cent. of the houses in July, and for the succeeding six months to watch with care the next move on the part of the Chinese, by which time, too, the effect of the preliminary measure would be seen. Further reductions would be regulated by the experience then gained. Mr. Landale also mentioned that it was the original intention of the Council to reduce the number of licensed houses by either 10 or 15 per cent. only, but, in view of the advice which had been tendered them by Sir Edward Grey, they had decided to increase the reduction to 25 per cent., the limit to which, in their opinion, it was safe to go in the first instance.
An amendment to add the following words to the Resolution," and to arrange for the closing of all licensed opium-dens on or before the 31st December, 1909, or as much earlier as practicable," was proposed, but lost by a large majority.
I have, &c.
(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.
[2918 aa-2]