CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 112

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Article IX. To strictly forbid the smoking

of opium by officials in order that an example may

be set for others to follow.

The complete prohibition in ten years of the

use of opium applies to the general population.

But the officials must set an example to the people.

If they have such a vice how can it be expected that

they shall lead the people straight?

Now, it is desired to make this measure effec-

tive, and with this end in view it is absolutely ne-

cessary to start with the officials and make the

time limit for them more severe and the penalties

for non-compliance more heavy, so that as grass bends

to the wind, the people may comply with their exam-

ple.

From henceforth, all metropolitan or provincial

civil or military officials of high or low grade who

are over sixty years of age and who are so strongly

addicted to the opium habit that they cannot break

it off, will be put out of consideration, as if they

were

were of the common people, and treated leniently.

All Princes, Dukes and other hereditary Nobles,

Presidents and Ministers of Boards and Metropolitan

Yamens, Tartar-Generals, Governors-General and Gover-

nors, Military Lieutenant Governors, Deputy Lieuten-

ant Governors, Provincial Commanders-in-Chief and

Brigade Generals holding substantive appointments are

the recipients of the Imperial favour to no small de-

gree and of exalted rank and standing. No deception

or pretence on their part must be permitted in this

matter. Any of these who have been in the habit of

smoking shall be permitted to memorialize the Throne

direct, praying for a limit of time to be fixed for

them within which to give it up. During such period

they will for the time being not be removed from of-

fice, but a substitute will be appointed to act for

When they can show that they have given up the

habit they will be allowed to resume office; but it

must be clearly understood that no excuse of illness

will be entertained as necessitating the further use

them.

of the drug beyond the appointed time.

All other

metropolitan