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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
439
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[19896]
(No. 212.) Sir,
No. 1.
[June 17.]
SECTION 25168
REGE 16 JUL 07,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 17.)
IREC
Peking, May 2, 1907. IN continuation of my despatch No. 156 of the 1st ultimo, I have the honour to forward to you herewith a further Memorandum which has been drawn up for me 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.
Memorandum respecting the Enforcement of Opium Regulations in the Provinces of China.
Amoy.
A MISSIONARY writes to His Majesty's Consul from a city 50 miles to the north of Amoy that the land under poppy cultivation in that region is very small and that the area is decreasing, which is probably due to the present attitude of the Government. He adds that when an attempt was made in that region some eight years ago to extend the area of cultivation there happened to be an enlightened Mandarin there and he announced that he would seize any one who attempted to plant the drug. The missionary continues that all classes of society smoke the drug and that a vast number use morphia. About one in three of the male population uses the drug. There are much fewer women victims. The city and neighbourhood is famous for adultery and brothels, and it is largely in connection with these that the women take the drug. The numbers have greatly increased in the past few years partly owing to the facilities for obtaining the drug and partly owing to the pernicious habit that has grown up of offering the pipe in good houses to the visitors. Also many have been told that it relieves stomachache and cough, and getting it so easy take it and wake up to find themselves in the grip of the drug.
The missionary ends by saying that the Imperial Proclamation has been posted up in that city and also a Proclamation of the Viceroy of Fokhein pointing out these items and dealing with the hurtfulness of the drug and medicines for its cure. The officials support this attitude, and the Chief Magistrate sent his nephew recently to the Mission hospital for cure. An increasing number are coming in to the hospital to break off the habit. The people of the neighbourhood are said to be certainly not opposed as a body to this new movement.
Canton.
A number of measures intended to restrict the cultivation of the poppy and consumption of opium have been promulgated. A Black List is to be drawn up containing the names of licensed smokers, and persons unprovided with a licence will not be permitted to purchase opium. One case was reported by the papers, in which the Viceroy ordered the execution of a non-commissioned officer and several men guilty of assembling to smoke opium.
Chungking.
The Acting British Consul reported on the 2nd April that Mr. Alexander, of the Anti-Opium League, on his return from Chengtu, addressed a large meeting of Chinese in Chungking on the 25th March. Before Mr. Alexander spoke, a Chinese read out
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