2
Commissioners may also apply by Memorial for the examination of any high provincial official above the rank of Taotai against whom they have obtained reliable information. Should it be proved on examination that an official has not been addicted to opium smoking or has really abandoned the habit altogether, the office shall furnish him with a certificate to that effect, and he shall be allowed to continue to hold his official position; but should it be proved on investigation that he is addicted to the habit, he shall be dismissed from his office.
As regards the subordinate officials in the various public offices in the capital and provinces, their superior officers are required to take stringent measures for the strict enforcement of the prohibition. If, therefore, it be discovered by the Commissioners and be proved on investigation that an official is addicted to opium, his superior officers shall also be reported to the Board for punishment in proportion to the degree of weakness and remissness displayed by them.
The Commissioners for the enforcement of the prohibition of opium have all been specially selected for the post. They must set aside all personal feelings, and, performing their duty zealously and fearlessly, must not shun the high responsibility placed upon them or execute it perfunctorily. Should the prohibition of opium still fail to show satisfactory results in the future, the Commissioners shall be held to account.
Let the Comptroller-General of Opium Taxation, K'o Feng Shih, provide 30,000 taels out of the revenue from the consolidated tax on native opium for the expenses connected with establishing the office above referred to, and 60,000 taels for the annual expenditure, in order to assist this important work.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(19765)
(No. 173.) Sir,
No. 1.
Mr. Bryce to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received June 9.)
[June 9.]
SECTION 7.
Washington, May 19, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith, with reference to your despatch No. 106 of the 28th ultimo, copies of a Message from the President to Congress, recommending an appropriation for the participation of the United States in the coming investigation of the opium question in the Far East by a Joint International Commission.
A letter from the Secretary of State to the President, which is annexed to the Message, gives a short history of the causes which have led the United States' Government to issue invitations for this International Conference, states that the 1st January, 1909, and Shanghai, China, are the time and place proposed for the meeting of the Commissioners of the various States, and asks that the sum of 20,000 dollars ($4,000) be appropriated to cover the expenses of the United States' Commission, which will consist of three Commissioners, a secretary, and a disbursing officer.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES BRYCE.
Inclosure in No. 1.
60th Congress, 1st Session,—House of Representatives.—Document No. 925.
INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF OPIUM EVIL
Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a letter from the Secretary of State recommending an Appropriation for the Participation of the United States in the coming Investigation of the Opium Question in the Far East by a Joint International Commission.
May 11, 1908.—Read. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In laying before the Congress the accompanying letter from the Secretary of State, I heartily recommend that appropriation be made as therein requested for the participation of the United States in the coming investigation of the opium question in the Far East by a Joint International Commission.
The cordial reception of this proposal by the Governments concerned is a cause of gratification to the American Government and people. The high aim of this international project, placing, as it does, considerations of human welfare above all others, is a fine example of what is best in modern civilization and international good-will and co-operation. Such an undertaking cannot but appeal most strongly to the American people, and I am happy to lay before the Congress this opportunity to enable the United States to do its full share in the work.
The White House, May 11, 1908.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
The President:
In September 1906, in view of indications that the Imperial Chinese Government was ready to make serious efforts to eradicate the opium evil, the Department of State,
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