[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
106
OPTUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[28793]
No. 1.
[June 23.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Messrs. Bride and Son to Sir Edward Grey.-Received June 23.)
39, City Road, London, June 21, 1913. WE beg to submit, for your information, a letter received from one of our correspondents in the interior of China, which may be of interest to your Department. After perusal, we would esteem it a favour if you will return the original to us.
Yours, &c.
A. J. BRIDE AND SON.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Mr. Wellwood to Mr. Bride.
American Baptist Mission,
Dear Mr. Bride,
Ning Yuen Fu (viâ Chengtu), May 15, 1913. YOUR favour of the 27th March reached me last mail. Thank you for sending the books along. Hope they will reach here on time and in good condition. Mail and parcels have a long and dangerous way to reach us. Yet it is remarkable bow few things are either spoiled or lost.
Yes, the opium is a real problem in China at present. Large quantities are grown in this section of the province, much more than under the Manchus. The officials seem helpless to suppress it. I have little doubt, however, of the ultimate success of the Government to suppress it. But this statement must be somewhat qualified. China will suppress it as long as England brings pressure to bear on her. Let this pressure be removed and one cannot say what may result.
The country is gradually settling down, though there is much unrest in some sections of this province still. Capital, too, is timid, and investors are holding back until things are more secure. Yuan Shih-kai is the only man capable of steering the ship of state through these stormy waters studded with rocks. He alone can pilot things safely through. I am sorry that the party most in evidence in Peking seem to be opposed to him, but the country north and south is solid for him. The men that are trying to make trouble are young men mostly educated abroad, and are excellent theoretic Republicans. But these men lack the confidence of the people and of most of experienced Chinese statesmen. I am decidedly for Yuan, and I think Sen Wen could never manage the country. He is considered as being mostly foreigu, and does not quite understand the Chinese point of view. Yuan understands the Chinese and their needs.
Thanking you again for your kind help. With kindest regards, I am, &c.
R. WELLWOOD.
[2965 z-1