6
Lu Chou-Farmers are submitting with fairly good grace, though in some places the proclamation has raised a strong anti-foreign feeling among them.
Teh-yang, &c.-No doubt the farmers suffer loss-probably the grain, beans, and vegetables do not fetch anything like half the profit formerly gained; but I have heard of no movement in the direction of organised resistance.
Sui Fu.-No signs of resistance.
Pa Chon.-Making the best of it and growing other crops.
Jung Hsien-Has heard no complaint.
Chung-chiang Hsien. Making the best of it and growing other things. San-t'ai, ce.-Would like to grow it, as lucrative, but submit to officials. Mien Chou.-Accept the inevitable, and do not venture to disobey,
Ngan Hsien-The city and district seems quite to have submitted to the new prohibitions.
3. Alternative Crops.
Kuang-yuan Hsien, &c.-Rape and wheat; no attempt to introduce anything new. Fushun-Beans, wheat, oil-plant (rape); an increase in beans owing to the demand from Tzu-lui Ching (the salt wells); nothing new.
Paoning-Ordinary spring crops; nothing new.
Chiating.-Wheat, beans, rape, and sugar; missionary suggested cotton, but nothing
was done.
Ta Chou-Beans, wheat, cotton, rape; marked increase in all these, especially cotton and rape; nothing new,
Tel-yang, &c.--Wheat, barley, beans, peas, and rape; nothing new. An increase
in wheat and rape; the officials and gentry have done nothing.
Sui Fu-No new crops, but a marked increase in cereals and oil-producing plants. Pa Chou. More wheat; no new kinds.
Jung Hsien-No new crops.
Chung-chiang Hsien.--Wheat, barley, peas; no new crops; no interest of any
being shown.
Sintu-Wheat and beans.
kind
San-t'ai-Wheat, beans, rape; nothing new-officials suggest inulberry. Mien Chou.--Rape and wheat; also "iné tung" (a medicinal plant). An increase in mulberry and cotton.
4. Restrictions on obtaining Opium.
(a.) Dens.
Kuang-yuan, &c.-No private dens; official divans were closed, but a few have been reopened, though only one lamp may be lit. No illicit traffic.
Fushun. All official divans closed, but private dens numberless, especially in the salt wells district. Illicit trade is carried on extensively throughout the district. When found, the runners usually settle the matter by receiving a sum of money. Street officials take no notice of the private dens.
Paoning-Is being carried out quite as far as anything is ever carried out in China; there are private dens, and a deal of illicit traffic,
Chiating-Believe it is now carried out with remarkable strictness; there are very few, if any, private dens. Some have been heavily fined and " paochengs" (tithing- wardens) dismissed from office.
Lu Chou. The number of private dens depends on the energy of the local official. In some districts they are numerous, but in at least one Hsien city they are non-existent. There is considerable elicit traffic in opium. Many people bought large quantities some time when cheaper, intending to sell at high prices in the near future.
ago
Teh-yang, de.-I am constantly travelling, and find that when I get an opium smoker for a coolie he can always get opium. There are private dens where opium can be obtained much cheaper than in the official shops, but the authorities are very stern, and when these places are discovered the owners are fined and often beaten and imprisoned. Strenuous efforts are made to enforce the law, and illicit traffic is being lessened and becomes more and more dangerous; still I fear it is considerable.
Sui Fu.-Private dens are getting less; proprietors are punished. Pa Chou.-There are private dens; the official regulations are more observed.
or less
Jung Hsien.--The opium dens are all closed, but there is much illicit traffic.
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7
Chung-chiang-Coolies travelling can get opium at certain places and smoke on the premises. This is regarded as a necessity.
Sintu-Here in Sintu there are some opium dens, but the official, I think, knows nothing about them. It seems to me that there must be illicit smoking going on. Such rapid strides are being made by the Government in these parts that I do not see how the people could keep up with them, even if they were really keen to; and there must be many who smoke because they find relief from pain, who would be afraid to give up the habit, and also who would be ashamed to register. One such case is known
San-tai-Many private dens, it is believed with the cognisance of the officials. Mien Chou.--Many private dens.
to me.
(b.) Registration of Smokers.
Kuang-yuan.-Very little notice taken of the rule; the number of those who have applied for permits is small.
Fushun. Some are registered, and procure the drug for their friends. Lu Chou---The rules have not been observed to any great extent; it has been difficult to register smokers.
Tel-yang-The rules are being enforced, but I cannot say how far they are
evaded.
Jung Hsien. The regulations are not fully carried out as to how much they sell to each
person.
Chung-chiang.--Were in force at one time, but now anyone may purchase without
a licence.
Sintu. All smokers are registered.
San-t'ai.-Permits are issued, but are evaded.
Mien Chou-Very little observed.
5. Curative Measures.
Kuang-yuan. Nothing done by officials and gentry; no distribution of medicines, no opium refuges. Anti-opium pills are sold at the Hsien's yamen, but at an increasing price.
Fushun.-None.
Paoning. Very little beyond official sale of anti-opium medicines.
Chiating-Help of some kind seems general; at Mei Chon the gentry offered food as well as medicine.
Lu Chou-Large hospital for free cures at Lu Chou, 100 patients a-month. Nothing else done; no action such as that of the Chengtu Chamber of Commerce.
Tel-yang, &c.-At Han Chou a hospital. Shops with non-smoking assistants receive certificates. At Teh-yang no hospital, but a shop where remedies are sold, not given.
Shihfang.-Number of publicly established companies to assist people in breaking
Sui Fu.--Nothing done.
off opium.
Pa Chou.-No anti-opium medicine given free, or hospital: but people are ordered by official proclamation to break off the habit, and are arrested by the city police if they are found smoking,
Jung Hsien-There are many medicines and some cures. Chung-chiang.No steps whatever.
While
Sintu. Magistrate is very keen to help, and gives free aid to the poor. they are breaking off the habit, good food is provided, eggs and meat daily. No women are allowed to stay on the premises, but they may come for the anti-opium remedies, and follow out the instructions at home. The cure lasts ten days, and is generally successful.
San-l'ai-In Tungchuan city the magistrate is opening a refuge; elsewhere nothing is being done.
Mien Chou-Chamber of Commerce distributes anti-opium medicine charitably, but has not taken steps to investigate the conditions prevailing amongst employees in business houses. Very brisk trade by private dealers in remedies.
Ngan Hsien. A place with an official signboard has been opened for those who want to break off the habit.
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