above requested, and thus assist us in this worthy reform, and increase the friendly relations between your honourable nation and our own.
We have, &c. Anti-Opium Association of Foochow,
(Signed)
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
List of Guilds which have carried out the Prohibition.
Rice Guild (copy of regulations attached).†
Guild of Musical Instrument (copy of regulations attached).† Tanner Guild.
Tailor Guild (see "Fulkien Daily News").†
Salt Monopoly.
Bone-ware Guild,
0.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
2000234
1 JUN 08
[March 18.]
SECTION 1.
CHINA TRADE,
* President.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9412]
(No. 70.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
No opium-smoking is allowed in restaurants, hotels, and prostitute-houses.
(No. 3.) Sir,
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Consul Playfair.
Peking, March 24, 1908.
I AM in receipt of your despatch No. 4 of the 9th March, inclosing Petitions from the British Missionary Body and the Chinese Anti-Opium Society, in which you were requested to put a stop to the preparing and selling of prepared opium by British subjects at Foochow, and reporting the steps taken by you in the case of a Parsee firm,
Mehta and Co.
As you point out, Chinese are not permitted to prepare or sell prepared opium by their own authorities, unless under stringent conditions of licence, and at Treaty ports where there are foreign Concessions or Settlements under municipal control the Regulations usually provide for the issue of licences to opium shops, where they exist. At Foochow there is no municipal organization; but it seems to me that No. 17 of the General Port Regulations can be reasonably held to apply to an opium shop which is a house of entertainment within the intent of the Regulation. I consider, therefore, that, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, you are entitled to prevent any British subject from establishing an opium shop for the sale of prepared opium without your licence, in your Consular district.
In view of the general movement against opium-smoking and the attitude adopted towards it by His Majesty's Government, it is very undesirable that British subjects should engage in the occupation referred to, Your action in regard to Messrs. Mehta and Co. is therefore approved.
I am, &C.
(For His Majesty's Minister),
(Signed) STEPHEN LEECH.
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.- (Received March 18.)
ŎPIUM at Shangae.
Please see your telegram No. 57 of yesterday's date.
Peking, March 18, 1908.
At ratepayers' meeting to be held on the 20th instant a reduction of 25 per cent. in the number of licences, to take effect from the 1st July next, was proposed by the Municipal Council, this step to be the first of a series of periodic reductions extending over a period of two years. The Shanghae Missionary Association approve this.
As soon as I receive decision of ratepayers I shall telegraph to you.
[2889 -]
·1]
*
[Name in Chinese characters],
† Not printed.