CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 373

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that she would. She might not carry it out exactly in

the manner she proposed at present, but the end would be

attained all the same.

In the reign of Tao Kuang an attempt had been made

to atop the traffic and the result was the first war

with England. The action taken then was somewhat like

the Boxer movement hasty and ill-conseived. At that

time it was only the Emperor and a few of his officials

who were really opposed to the trade. The country at

large was indifferent. Now the people were more enlight-

ened and were at one with the Government on the question.

He said that opium smoking was already on the decrease

and at the present it was oaloulated that some 80 % of

the smokers would have abandoned the habit in a year.

Many people viewed with anxiety the prospect of losing

such a large source of revenue. But what the Coverrusent

lost in money the people would gain in well-being, and no

money could compensate for the loss of human life.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

with the highest respect,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

(Signed) J. N. Jordan.