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This Document is the Property of His Brinnic Majesty's Government.100
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CHINA TRADE.
C.O.
16535
[April 20.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
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(No. 119.) Sir,
No. 1.
29 MAY 07 SECTION
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 20.)
Peking, March 6, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 81 of the 4th ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum, which has been drawn up by Mr. Garnett from various reports which I have received from His Majesty's Consuls since that date on the progress of the measures which are being taken in the provinces for the enforcement of the Imperial Regulations against the use of opium.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Opium Summary.
L-Chinan-fu.
LITTLE has as yet been done towards the carrying into effect of the Opium Suppression Regulations. The Imperial will seems to be well known in all yamêns, yet no steps of any kind have been taken. Almost without exception the yamên under- lings of all classes are opium smokers, and many of the officials themselves. Missionaries report that it will be very difficult in their opinion, if not impossible, to make the Edict effective under the present system of administration, and that though it will be much easier to stop the growth of the poppy than to stop the use and sale of opium, it is doubtful whether even this can be done." It is a great source of revenue to the officials, and is extensively cultivated in Shangtung; the value of the opium used in the province is thought to be about 720,0001., and the revenue drawn from it about 144,000l. It is said that the Governor has ordered the sale of opium to be stopped from the beginning of the Chinese New Year (13th February), and that he has appointed a Committee to see to the carrying into effect of the Regulations, but infor. mation as to the constitution of this Committee varies, some saying that it consists of opium smokers, others that the chief members of it are non-opium smokers.
II.-Ch'éngtu.
The Viceroy of Szechuan and the Tartar General have recently issued a joint Proclamation against the cultivation and use of opium. Certain high officials have been intrusted by the Viceroy with the preparation of special regulations whereby the tax on opium is to be increased some twentyfold. In the Proclamation all persons who have hitherto kept opium divans are especially ordered to find some other calling, while all farmers who have in the past grown opium are enjoined to cultivate some other crop.
A Hankow newspaper published an article on the 27th January to the effect that there had been a great rise in the price of opium in Szechuan, and that buyers were flocking to all the opium markets, for since the prohibition wealthy smokers were hoarding up supplies so as to evade future restriction, and that hence there was an uninterrupted succession of buyers.
III. Hangcho.
Early in February the Governor issued instructions that all officials who smoke opium were to register themselves within ten days if in Hangchow, and a month if in
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