This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
28370
SECTION 4.
4-AUG 08
[22610]
No. 1.
(No. 261.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 1.)
Peking, June 5, 1908. AS reported in my despatch No. 151 of the 30th March last, the Boards of Finance and of the Interior were instructed by the Throne to prepare Supervisory Regulations for the strict enforcement of the Anti-opium Edicts.
I have now the honour to inclose copy of the joint Memorial presented in obedience to these instructions, and of the Imperial Rescript, dated the 23rd May, by which the proposed Regulations are approved.
The anxiety and energy of the Central Government in the anti-opium crusade seem to increase in proportion to the apathy and lack of zeal which are gradually being shown in the provinces in regard to the movement.
The former Regulations, which appeared to allow of no means of evasion, have not been enforced with the completeness necessary for success, although marked progress has been made to eradicate the evil, especially in regard to the reduction of smoking among the humbler classes.
It is now recognized that the most important step to be taken at this juncture is the restriction of the growth of the poppy, and the provincial authorities, in the Regulations which are now inclosed, are called upon to furnish periodically detailed reports on the area in cultivation, and to enforce the proposed annual reduction.
Should this be efficiently carried out, considerable hardships will be suffered, especially by the inhabitants of the great opium-growing provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, and Kweichow.
No proposals for compensation are contemplated to those who are now called upon to abandon a hitherto legitimate and lucrative form of agriculture, chiefly carried on in remote districts, where the farmers will no doubt have great difficulty in finding other remunerative crops, owing to the expense of transport. They may therefore be reasonably expected to manifest their discontent in the future in some form or other.
The revenue question, which has doubtless been one of the chief obstacles to a thorough compliance with the previous Edicts in the provinces, is left for further consideration.
Public hongs are now to be established in every province for the purchase and sale of native opium, and rules are laid down for the more efficient regulation of shops and dens, of smokers, and the cure of those addicted to smoking, also for the encouragement of Anti-opium Societies and for the distribution of medicine.
Rewards in the shape of promotion are held out to those who conscientiously carry out the Imperial wishes, while punishments are provided for those who fail to do their duty.
The whole question seems now to have resolved itself into a trial of strength and authority between the Central Government and the provincial officials. The former may be said to have "burnt their boats," and must go forward in the movement, while the latter, in some cases owing to the pleasing effects of the drug, in which they still indulge, hesitate in complying fully with the wishes of the Central Government. In most cases it is only fair to say that the dislocation of provincial finances and the difficulty of replacing revenue hitherto derived from opium have considerably hampered the progress of the crusade.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
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