CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 269

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

CHINA TRADE.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[3104]

No. 1.

C. O.

[January 306

FEL 07

SECTION

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received January 28, 1907.)

(No. 518.) Sir.

Peking, December 11, 1906. WITH reference to my despatch No. 495 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a copy of a Circular despatch which I addressed to His Majesty's Consular officers in China on the 1st instant on the subject of the recent Regulations issued by the Chinese Government dealing with the opium abolition question.

I have, &c.

(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Circular addressed by Sir J. Jordan to His Majesty's Consuls in China.

(Confidential.) Sir,

Peking, December 1, 1906.

I FORWARD to you herewith a translation of a set of Regulations which have been issued by the Chinese Government dealing with the question of the eradication of the use of opium by the nation.*

I have forwarded a copy of these Regulations to His Majesty's Government, who have been approached by the Chinese Government with a request for their co-operation in the stamping out of this vice and its attendant evils.

I have to request you to give your careful attention to the Articles of the Regula- tions, herewith inclosed, and to furnish me with reports from time to time on the steps which may be taken by the provincial officials to carry them into effect. You should also report on the attitude of the officials and of the people generally towards them, and any details which you consider may prove of value or interest.

I would point out that the matter, involving as it does so important a question of policy, no trouble should be spared to furnish me with all the information procurable on the methods adopted to carry out these Regulatious, so that I may be in a position to advise His Majesty's Government fully on the subject.

It appears to me that in the provinces chiefly devoted to the growth of the poppy, and in those where the means of access for Consular officers with the interior are difficult, much useful information as to the extent of land still under poppy cultivation from time to time, the reception of the Regulations by the people, &c., might be obtained from missionaries or others residing in the remoter districts, and I would suggest that these means of obtaining information should be adopted wherever practicable.

I am, &c.

(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,

* Not printed.

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