57
2.
supported by His Majesty's Consul at Ichang at the
time.
2. His Majesty's Consul at Ichang argues
from false premises and we are unable to understand
his reference that "there is a powerful movement at
the present time among supporters of the National
Government for a vigorous policy of opium suppression"
when it is so evident that there is stronger support
in the opposition direction. If the Nationalist
Government were in earnest the suppression of opium
would begin with the suppression of the poppy, a fact
too patent to be gainsaid.
3. His Majesty's Consul at Ichang appears to
be unaware of the fact that regular and systematic
searches are carried out by the officers on board our
ships: these obviously cannot be a guarantee that no
opium is on board but they are an earnest of our de-
sire to do all that lies in our power to assist.
4. His Majesty's Consul at Ichang does not
hesitate to advocate "a counsel of perfection" at the
Shipping Companies' expense though not at the expense
of the Customs who se duty it is to maintain an adequate
preventive service.
5. The advocacy of authorizing the Opium
Suppression Bureau to send unarmed parties to search
British vessels is a departure from normal procedure
but one that would appear to merit careful consideration.
One difficulty is to know whence such a
Bureau derives its authority but provided His Majesty's
Consular Authorities at the ports concerned are sat-
isfied and further definitely promise the Shipping
Companies/