This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
C.O.
695
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(18035)
No. 1.
[May 26] 1908
SECTION
E 15 JUN 08,
(No. 170.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 26.)
Peking, April 21, 1908.
WITH reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the opium traffic in China, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, inclosing an extract from the "Shen Pao," a native paper of that city, which comments upon the measures adopted by the Municipal Council for the closing of opium dens in the international Settlement.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(No. 42.) Sir,
Consul-General Sir Pelham Warren to Sir J. Jordan.
Shanghae, April 13, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith translation of a paragraph in the "Shen Pao" of the 7th April, on the subject of the opium dens in the Settlement, to which my telegram of the 9th April had reference.
I have, &c.
(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the "Shen Pao" of April 7, 1908.
THE Shanghae Taotai, Liang Ju-hao, has reported to the Nanking Viceroy, his Excellency Tuan Fang, the Resolution passed at the recent ratepayers' meeting, for the gradual closing of the opium dens in the Settlement, commencing with the reduction of their number by one-fourth on the 1st July, and also the fact that the Municipal Council have written to the Missionary Body, stating their intention to have them all closed within two years. The Taotai comments as follows:--
"Chinese and foreigners alike recognize the evil resulting from the existence of the opium dens, but the habit is so deep-rooted that its extirpation is difficult. Foreigners have therefore hesitated to order an immediate prohibition. Several Edicts have already appeared directing the annual reduction of the cultivation of the poppy and of the importation of the drug, and the gradual dwindling of the number of those in China depending on the trade will make the suppression of the evil a matter of no great difficulty. Foreigners will gladly co-operate when they see that our action is effective. This matter is one that deeply concerns the vigour of our race, and I therefore do not hesitate to address you once more upon it.'
The Viceroy has indorsed the Report as follows :~~~
"It is certainly a matter for regret that, while over six months has passed since the opium dens in the Chinese districts were closed, those in the Settlements still remain open, and the use of the drug continues as usual. In addition to previous Reports from the Taotai I have now received this last one reporting the Resolution taken at the ratepayers' meeting of the international Settlement, and the Council's letter to the Missionary Body. From this it appears that the same desire to suppress the evil of opium smoking actuates both foreigners and Chinese. The Municipal Council is not grudging the loss to its revenue, but, cheerfully conforming to the
[2967 cc-4]