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Subsequently I received your Excellency's reply stating that you regretted that, in view of the fact that China had as yet failed to enforce the terms of article 7, which provides for the withdrawal of all restrictions placed by the provincial authorities on the trade in Indian opium, such as those imposed at Canton and elsewhere, you were unable to entertain for the present, the proposal. Your Excellency added that as soon, however, as these restrictions were withdrawn, the proposal would receive your most careful attention.
I have the honour to observe that my board sent frequent telegrams to the Canton Viceroy to stop him carrying out the idea of mixing medicine with prepared opium, and a telegram has now been received from him stating that orders have been given to abandon this scheme. He adds that he has notified His Majesty's consul-general accordingly.
All restrictions having thus been removed, I have the honour to request your Excellency's consent to the proposal made in my former note, namely, that the import of Indian opium into the provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, Hei-lung-chiang, Szechuan and Shansi, shall be prohibited, thus evidencing the sincere aim of Ilis Majesty's Govern- rent to assist in the suppression of opium.
Awaiting the favour of a reply, I avail, &c.
Your Highness,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.
Prince CHING.
August 21, 1911. IN reply to your note of the 7th instant, stating that the restrictions imposed on Indian opium by the provincial authorities at Canton had been removed, and requesting my consent to the proposal made in your Highness's note of the 18th July, that the import of Indian opium into the provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, Hei-lung- chiang, Szechuan, and Shansi shall be prohibited, I have the honour to state that as soon as China has, in accordance with article 3 of the agreement relating to opium of the 8th May, 1911, established by clear evidence that she has effectively suppressed the cultivation of opium in and import of native opium into these five provinces, I am prepared to give my consent to your Highness's proposal.
I avail, &c.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
J. N. JORDAN.
3
suppressed the cultivation and import of native opium." Immediately on the signature of the agreement this Ministry telegraphed to the Viceroys and governors of those provinces which had made the greatest progress in the suppression of opium instructing them to investigate the local circumstances and render an accurate report thereon as a basis for negotiations with a view to the prohibition of import.
According to the telegraphic replies which have now been received from Fengtien, Kirin, Hei-lung-chiang, Shansi, and Szechuan, these provinces all report that the cultivation of native opium has entirely ceased, that on the testimony of deputies sent to investigate in person not a plant remains, and that the import of native opium from neighbouring provinces has been strictly prohibited; moreover, in the case of Szechuan, the export of native opium from the province has also been prohibited.
These provinces have without doubt achieved the greatest success, and the circum- stantial reports of the various Viceroys and governors are corroborated by the reliable testimony gathered from enquiries among the people themselves.
Accordingly this Ministry addressed the British Minister requesting him to prohibit the import of Indian opium into these provinces in accordance with the agree- ment, and have already received his reply consenting to do so. Pending the arrange- ment of a date for the enforcement of this prohibition, which will in due course be notified by advertisement in the "Official Gazette," we have to pray that the Imperial commands may be laid upon the Viceroys and governors of the said provinces to the effect that the areas from which the poppy has been eradicated should be inspected from time to time in order to ensure that there shall be no resumption of its cultivation for all time, and that orders be given to all custom- houses and barriers to the end that the prohibition now in force against the import of native opium may be maintained by increased vigilance and strictness, so that, with the prohibition of the import of foreign opium effected, this evil may be finally disposed of for ever.
As regards the remaining provinces, on its being shown that the cultivation of opium has really been suppressed, and that, on investigation of the circumstances, there are no difficulties in the way of prohibiting the import of foreign and native opium, this Ministry will in due course arrange with the British Minister for them to be dealt with in accordance with the agreement, in order that gradually the prohibition may be enforced and the whole work of suppression be speedily completed.
The circumstances relating to the prohibition of the import of Indian opium, province by province, and the selection of Fengtion and other provinces for the conclu- sion of an initial arrangement, are hereby duly submitted in the foregoing memorial, with a request for the Imperial commands.
On the 29th August, 1911, the Imperial rescript was received: "Let it be as proposed."
Sir,
Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.
August 28, 1911. I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that the memorial by this Ministry regarding the prohibition of the import of Indian opium, province by province, and suggesting that a commencement should be made with Fengtien and other provinces, having been presented to the Throne on the 25th instant, was duly approved by rescript, and it is now proposed that the prohibition of the import of Indian opium into the five provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, Hei-lung-chiang, Shansi, and Szechuan should take effect as from the 11th September next.
Awaiting the favour of a reply, I avail, &c.
Enclosure 4 in No. 1.
Memorial.
A MEMORIAL respecting the prohibition of the import of Indian opium, province by province, and reporting that certain provinces in which the suppression of opium has made most progress have been selected, and an arrangement regarding them concluded with the British Minister, is reverently submitted for the Imperial approval.
In the opium agreement concluded between China and Great Britain on the 8th May, 1911, the 3rd article states that Indian opium shall "not be conveyed into any province in China which can establish by clear evidence that it has effectively
Enclosure 5 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.
Your Highness,
Peking, August 30, 1911. IN reply to your Highness's note of the 28th instant, informing me that a memorial presented to the throne by your Highness's Ministry on the 25th August regarding the prohibition of the import of Indian opium, province by province, and suggesting that a commencement should be made with Fengtien and other provinces, has been approved by rescript, and proposing that the prohibition of the import of Indiau opium into the five provinces of Fengtien, Kirin, Hei-lung-chiang, Shansi, and Szechuan should take effect from the 11th day of September next, I have the honour to inform your Highness that, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, I consent to this proposal.
I avail, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
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