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Britain and the Governments of other opium-importing countries, with the view of insuring that the import of foreign opium shall decrease pari passu with the decrease of the native drug, and shall cease entirely at the end of the specified ten years.
Measures are also to be taken for enforcing the X1th Article of the British Commercial Treaty, and preventing the importation of morphia, or instruments for its injection, except for medical use.
The 11th Article provides for the issue of Proclamations promulgating the Regula- tions for general observance.
enormous,
So far as the rules are concerned, they seem to leave nothing to be desired in regard to their completeness of scope and thoroughness of aim, and the main point which arises for consideration is whether they are capable of being enforced in practice. On this there will naturally be much divergence of view, but I am bound to state that, so far as my opportunities of judging extend, there is a balance of well-considered opinion in favour of an affirmative answer. The magnitude of the task is admittedly but it is pointed out that the movement will have the support of publie senti. ment, and that the authors of the Regulations, whose sincerity is beyond all doubt, are determined to see them carried into effect. Already I am told by missionaries and others who come into daily contact with the people, that a tendency is observable amongst opium smokers to break off the habit, and that remedies are in great demand at the foreign hospitals. This of course, be merely a temporary response to the Imperial Edict, but a great awakening is going on in this country, and much of what is happening now makes one cautious in indulging in any prophesy as to what may be effected in the future.
may,
It remains to note one important omission in the opium arrangements, so far as they are known at present. No provision has been made for procuring from other sources the large revenue which the State now derives from opium, and although a China without opium would doubtless in time be stronger financially than China now is, still the interval which must elapse before the reformation is accomplished is one which will impose a severe strain upon the public exchequer, and which will call for the elaboration of financial measures beforehand.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Proposals, in Ten Articles, for Carrying out the Prohibition of Opium now reverently submitted to the Throne. (Translation.)
ARTICLE 1. To restrict the cultivation of the poppy in order to remove the root
of the evil.
The effects of poppy cultivation on the agricultural interests of the country have been disastrous, Throughout China the chief sources of opium production are the Provinces of Szechuan, Shensi and Kansu, Yünnau and Kueichou, Shansi, Kiangsu, and Anhui, but in the remaining provinces it may be said generally that there is hardly a place from which it is absent. The term of ten years has now been fixed for the complete prohibition of its nse. It is therefore necessary first to limit its cultivation, in order that the complete prohibition of its consumption may be successfully carried out and with this end in view, all Governors-General and Governors of Provinces should direct the Departmental and District Magistrates to make an accurate investigation of the acreage in their respective jurisdictions hitherto devoted to the growth of the poppy, and to make an official return of the figures. It would then be for ever forbidden to Certificates bring under poppy-cultivation any land not hitherto used for that purpose. would be issued in respect of all land already used for growing the poppy, and the pro- prietor be compelled to reduce the growth each year by ouc-ninth part, and to substitute other crops suited to the particular soil.
at
It will, moreover, be incumbent on the Magistrates to make personal inspection unexpected times of such lands. The certificates, too, will have to be changed cach year, till within the period of nine years the whole cultivation is rooted out, Noa- compliance with this rule will entail confiscation by the State of the land in question.
Any local authority who succeeds in less time than the statutory ten years in giving effect to the prohibition in respect to the land in his jurisdiction given up to the poppy,
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and in completely substituting in place thereof the cultivation of other crops, should, after due inquiry into the facts, be recommended to the Throne for recognition.
Article 2. To issue licences to smokers in order to prevent others from contracting
the habit.
The vice of opium smoking is of long standing, and it may be reckoned that some 30 to 40 per cent, of the population are addicted thereto. The interdict must therefore be extended with some consideration for what is past, while being applied in all strictness for the future. All persons of the official class and the gentry, literary graduates and licentiates resident at their homes throughout the Empire must be the first to be compelled to give up the habit, in order that they may serve as an example to the common people. All smokers, whether of the gentle or lower class, together with their wives and female servants, must without exception report themselves at the Yamen of the local authority of their native place or place of residence. If they reside at a distance from such Yamen or any police station, they may send their names in collectively through the Headman of the village.
Proclamations will be issued in advance by the local authorities giving the necessary directions, and forms will be supplied which smokers will have to fill in, giving their names in full, age, address, occupation, and daily allowance of opium; and a limit of time will be fixed for them within which they must report themselves as having given up smoking, due consideration being paid in this regard to the element of distance.
As soon as all the smokers have reported themselves, a register will be drawn up and a copy thereof be sent to the higher authorities for purposes of record and reference. At the same time, printed licences under the official seal will be prepared, and every smoker will be obliged to have his licence. These licences will be of two classes-(A) and (B). Persons over sixty years of age will get licences under class (A), while those under sixty will be enrolled under class (B), provided always that no person who has held a licence under class (B) shall be entitled to the issue of a licence under class (A) on subsequently attaining the age of sixty.
The licence will contain the holder's name in full, age, address, daily allowance of opium, and date of issue, and will constitute the permit to consume and buy opium. Any person consuming opium without a licence, or purchasing the drug, shall on discovery or information duly laid be subject to such penalty as may be called for. After the first inquisition, inspection will proceed on the basis of the register, and no fresh applications for licences will be entertained, in order that the number of smokers may be strictly limited.
Article 3. To reduce the craving for opinn within a limited time, in order to
remedy chronic addiction thereto.
After the licences have been issued, and putting out of consideration persons over sixty whose constitutions are already undermined, and in whose case the question of giving up the habit need not be pressed, all persons under sixty holding licences under class (B) shall have a limit set on the quantity of opium which they consume, to be reduced each year by 20 to 30 per cent., and to be totally given up within a few years. On becoming total abstainers, they will have to produce a bond signed by a relative or near neighbour, which will be presented to the local authority, and if found in order, the name of the party will be erased from the register, while the licence will have to be surrendered for cancellation. Returns of all such proceedings will then be made quarterly to the higher authorities. But if in spite of the liberal period of years allowed under this system there should be individuals who fail to become total abstainers within the allotted time, they must be regarded as wilful victims to self-abuse, and nothing remains but to expose them to punishment for not abstaining. In the future, therefore, if any holder of a class (B) licence exceeds the time limit without giving up the habit and surrendering his licence for cancellation, he shall, if an official, resign his office; if a graduate or licentiate, he shall be deprived of his rank and diploma; and if he be of the ordinary people, his name will be recorded by the local authority as an opinm sot. A special list of such names will be kept, and a return thereof be made to the higher authorities. Besides this, such names, with the person's age, will be affixed in a public place for general observation, and also be exhibited in the town or village where such person lives, that all may know his condition. Such persons will, further, not be allowed to take part in any annual or periodical meetings which may be
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