In addition to the communication from the Foreign Board, I have since received a Petition from the British Missionary Body for transmission to you and a similar document from the native Anti-Opium Society, both requesting that means may be found to put a stop to this irregularity on the part of British merchants, which, though at present confined to the one firm mentioned, might very possibly spread to other British dealers in opium.
Unfortunately, I cannot find any Treaty or Regulation prohibiting the preparation of opium by British subjects, and I have been obliged to inform the Foreign Board, the Missionary Body, and the Anti-Opium Society that, as far as existing Regulations are concerned, I am powerless to prohibit the action of Mehta and Co., but that I will forward the Petitions inclosed and request your instructions.
I have, however, addressed a letter to Mehta and Co., stating that I strongly disapprove of their action, and desiring them to at once discontinue the practice; and this they have consented to do.
I have now the honour, while forwarding the Petitions above mentioned, to request your instructions as to how I am to deal with the difficulty which has arisen.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. M. H. PLAYFAIR.
Page 633
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
British Missionaries in Fuhkien to Sir J. Jordan.
Foochow, March 2, 1908. WE, the Undersigned, British missionaries in Fuhkien, beg respectfully to call attention to certain points connected with the sale of "prepared opium" in Foochow by British subjects.
Last May the Chinese authorities in Foochow took steps to close all shops selling prepared opium without a licence, and the licensed shops are only allowed to sell to consumers who hold a permit.
We have no reason to question the good faith of the authorities in taking these steps, and there are undoubtedly enthusiastic and influential Anti-Opium Societies in Foochow and other parts of the province.
We learn, however, to our great regret, that certain British subjects are now preparing and selling opium without licence in Foochow to any persons who wish to buy it.
We understand that His Britannic Majesty's Consul has been consulted in reference to this matter by the Chinese authorities, and has replied that he has no authority to prevent the above-mentioned sale of prepared opium, as the Treaties contain no prohibition of such sale.
We feel sure that His Britannic Majesty's Government will recognize that in a matter like this it is highly undesirable, in the interests of universal morality, that it should be impossible to prevent a British subject from doing business in the sale of prepared opium when the Chinese themselves are prohibited from doing so by their own authorities.
The action of such British subjects tends to completely frustrate the efforts of the Chinese authorities to get rid of the opium traffic.
We therefore earnestly beg that you will regard this as a matter of urgency, and take such steps as may bring the present anomalous, and, to our minds, most undesirable, state of affairs to an end.
We venture to submit that if you can possibly authorize His Britannic Majesty's Consul in Foochow to restrain any British subjects from the above-mentioned sale of prepared opium until His Britannic Majesty's Government come to a decision on the matter, much injury to a good cause will be prevented, and the Chinese will be greatly encouraged by such a proof of the good-will of His Britannic Majesty's Representatives in China.
We have, &c. [Here follow sixty-six signatures.]
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Anti-Opium Association of Foochow to Consul Playfair.
Sir,
Foochow, March 4, 1908. WE (the names of prominent members may be found in Inclosure No. 1*) have the honour to express our high appreciation of your Honour's justice in transacting the diplomatic affairs during the years of your Consular administration in Foochow, and desire at this time to assure your Honour of our burning eagerness and sincerity in endeavouring to carry into effect the prohibition of opium as decreed by the Throne.
The last report on the planting of poppy in our district shows a decrease of over 50 per cent. (see Table, Inclosure No. 2*), and also the detailed list published in the "Fuhlien Daily News." All of the schools, colleges, Reform Societies, and Guilds of various occupations (a detailed list is attached, Inclosure 4 in No. 1), have actually enforced the prohibition among the persons under their control.
We have established branch Anti-Opium Associations in many cities and villages (see reports published by our Association herewith, Inclosure No. 4*), and also founded five anti-opium hospitals in Foochow to assist the poor miserable opium-smokers, free of medical charges, to get rid of their detestable habit. Over 2,800 persons have stopped smoking through the help of these hospitals, and many more have done so at their own expense.
Lectures and addresses have constantly been given in public places, and certain members of our Association have co-operated with the police in searching for clandestine opium-dens and unlicensed sellers of prepared opium, and bringing the offenders to justice. All of the opium-dens in the city and suburbs (over 800 in number) were forced to close their doors and stop their destructive business on the 1st day of the 4th moon last year.
Formerly there were over 400 shops selling the prepared opium, and we requested the local authorities to have the said shop keepers submit themselves to certain investigations, and apply for licence, under new and rigid regulations. By this restriction, the number of the shops has gradually decreased, until now there are 214 only (the detailed account of the above-mentioned facts may be found in our Association's Reports, Minutes, and other documents herewith, Inclosure No. 5).
The issue of each licence ceased on the 7th moon of last year, and thereafter the said shops are permitted to close, but no new shops are allowed to open. The sale of prepared opium, unless licensed, is considered illegal (see Proclamation, Inclosure No. 6*).
Furthermore, under the new stipulations, the licensed shops are not allowed even to change their location, nor proprietors, nor name. Various rules have been, and will be, enforced upon them to regulate or rather discourage the sale, with the hope that within a reasonable time, our countrymen will all be liberated from the scourge of this poisonous drug.
We are greatly astonished and deeply pained to know that Mr. ... of the Mehta and Co., has, contrary to Chinese law, recently started to sell this contraband drug, without licence, for the issue of which the time has now expired. If his malpractice be tolerated and unchecked, many imitations will follow; then not only our present effort of restricting the sale of prepared opium will be nullified in Foochow, but the whole province will also suffer from the renewed blast of the opium flame.
What is true of this province will be true of other provinces, and in the course of time the whole of China will be ruined beyond the power of mind to describe. Oh! Is one of the greatest reforms of China to be thus blocked? Our country, with over 400,000,000 souls, is now engaged in a life-and-death struggle with her master vice, opium, which is universally abhorred by all civilized nations.
Will not England, the most enlightened nation in the world, come to our help in the time of need?
We have done, and will continue to do, all within our power to have this abominable drug effectually prohibited.
Mr. ... of the Mehta and Co. being a British merchant, it is within your Honour's jurisdiction to stop him from selling this contraband article. For this reason we are compelled to lay before your Honour the facts which, we confidently believe, will receive your Honour's most favourable consideration.
We trust that your Honour will see your way clear to put an immediate stop to the illegal sale of prepared opium as ...
* Not printed.
† [Name in Chinese characters].