Of late many of our people, of every rank in life, recognizing the magnitude of the evil, have vied with each other in forming Societies to discourage the use of opium, and even those long addicted to the habit have come to realize with sorrow the extent of the misfortunes which they have brought upon themselves. Many foreign philanthropists also have promoted public meetings with a view to securing the prohibition of the cultivation and sale of opium, and have distributed remedies for the opium habit. Their action has been entirely prompted by a keen desire that the use of opium should be abolished in China, and how much greater should be the efforts of our own people, who are themselves suffering from its ravages, to eradicate the evil!
We have already directed by Imperial Decree that Regulations should be issued under which the use of opium, both foreign and native, should be totally suppressed within a period of ten years. The British Government have now agreed to effect an annual reduction in the amount of opium exported to China, and other friendly Powers are willing to assist. This enlightened policy on their part has deeply impressed us. Under the Agreement with the British Government the reduction in the export is to be continued for three years, and if it is found on the expiration of this period that China has effectively decreased the cultivation and consumption of opium, the policy of reducing the export will still be carried on. To allow these three years to slip by without taking measures for the abolition of the drug would be a poor return for the benevolent policy of a friendly Power, and a deep disappointment to philanthropists of all nations. Should this opportunity be lost for ever and the disease allowed to become incurable, it is impossible that China should ever be considered a great country, and we, with all the officers of our Government, could not but feel the deepest shame, recognizing that the responsibility therefor rested with us.
We therefore direct the Boards of the Interior and of Finance to lose no time in preparing supervisory Regulations and taking strict measures to insure their enforcement after our sanction has been received. We also direct the high provincial authorities to insure the effective performance by their subordinates of the measures submitted to us by the Government Council, and to prepare Memorials setting forth the measures which they propose to take in their respective jurisdictions to decrease the cultivation and consumption of opium. Let a general report of the reduction effected be made at the end of each year, and let the funds needed to take the place of the opium tax be raised by the Board of Finance. As this matter affects the strength of the country and the lives of the people, we enjoin upon all officials, both in the capital and the provinces, to perform their duty zealously. No matter how great the difficulties may be, they must strive to effect the total abolition of opium within the fixed period, and any procrastination on their part will meet with severe punishment.
Let the rest be as proposed.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[16559]
No. 1.
[May 5.]
SECTION 4,
Question asked in the House of Commons, May 5, 1908.
Mr. Theodore C. Taylor,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the House any further information as to the negotiations in progress a year ago for the formation of a Joint International Commission of Investigation into the Opium Trade.
Answer.
I must refer the honourable Member to the papers which were laid last February respecting the opium question. It will be seen that the American Ambassador was informed that His Majesty's Government will be glad, if possible, to receive further information as to the proposed procedure of the Commission and the time and place of its meeting. We are awaiting a reply to this communication.
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