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The Colonel had already in January, on information contained through the local press, given his soldiers three months in which to break off the habit, and had dismissed those who failed to do so; local opinion is generally in favour of the prohibition. The Magistrate, a heavy smoker, has given up the use of opium, and others are following his example. Mr. Witt, however, does not consider that any remarkable movement has as yet started, and mentions the fact that some are buying ahead for the time when the sale will be definitely forbidden. No measures have as yet been taken to restrict the enltivation of poppy, and 10 per cent. of the land is said to be used for its growth. The invariable reply in the negative as to the restrictions on smokers is again given, but all dens are to be closed by the end of June, As far as medicines are concerned, pills containing opium are used, and also a plant found in the hills.
Kansu (three Reports).-The "Ten Articles" were posted in Chin Chou on the 10th May, and no further action was taken; the publication caused a little talk for a few days, but nothing was done, as officials were awaiting more stringent orders from Peking. In Piug-liang and Ch'in Chou there is an increase in the area planted; an official at the latter place exhorted the people by proclamation "to plant for all they were worth," the result being that five times the usual amount was sown. Nothing has been done to restrict smokers, but Mr. Harding makes the significant remark that the increase in the price of opium has caused people to take to drink. At Ku-kiang the pao Kuei" tax has been removed and more opium has been sold than ever, whereas an increase in the same tax at Ch'in Chou has caused shops to close. Excepting the above statement, queries 5 and 6 are answered in the negative. A Proclamation was issued at Ch'in Chou telling the people of a herb for a cure, and giving an illustration of it, but beyond that nothing further has been done.
Shensi (three Reports).-At Wukung in November of last year a Proclamation was issued containing a general exhortation against planting, and in January of this year the "Ten Articles" were published. The Decree was also published in Lan-tien, and the Magistrate sent out a preacher to exhort the people to give up the habit, smokers also being forbidden to teach in the schools. The Decree was published in Li-chuan on the 29th May. The attitude of the gentry is generally described as indifferent, and as far as cultivation is concerned an increase is reported from Wukung. The remaining queries are all answered negatively with the exception of the mention of a few missionary efforts to cure the people by the use of medicine supplied by the Missions.
Ichung.
His Majesty's Consul reported on the 1st July that, so far as he could ascertain, no steps had up to that date been taken to enforce the Opium Regulations in the Ichang district,
Kashgar.
Mr. Macartney reported at the end of April, "The Chinese orders prohibiting the use of opium have so far had no effect on the Chinese population of Yarkand, Karghalik, Goma, and Khotan. Indeed, most of the Chinese seem to be ignorant of the existence of the order,"
Kiukiang.
A missionary in the Kiukiang Consular district reports from I-yang, a district in which practically no land is devoted to the cultivation of the poppy, that nothing has yet been done to restrict smokers nor to inspect opium shops. No Proclamations had been issued up to May, but a new Mandarin had arrived who was said to be preparing one. No official action had been taken in pursuance of the Imperial Regulations, nor had the local officials and gentry set any example in giving up the habit. Medicines had been ordered from Nanchang, but noue had as yet arrived.
Further missionary reports are to the same effect, though in the Kian prefecture one missionary stated on the 14th June that a Proclamation was about to be issued, the gist of which was to be to the effect that all opium dens must be closed by the 8th August, and that no opium is to be retailed in inns or restaurants after that date.
Still further missionary reports state that practically nothing whatever is being done to enforce the Imperial Regulations, though it is thought that in August something may be begun.
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Mongolia.
A missionary with an area of observation of about 800 English square miles reports from Kwei-hua-cheng that more land is devoted to poppy cultivation this year than last. The Tartar General has issued a strict Proclamation to the Mongols against the use of opium, and it is said that they have obeyed the command, but the Chinese still continue to sow, to sell, and to smoke as before,
Ningpo.
Missionary reports forwarded by His Majesty's Consul show that except for a few Proclamatious nothing has been done towards enforcing the Imperial Regulations, while in some districts more land is being devoted to the poppy than before.
Early in June a Proclamation was issued by the Magistrate under instructions from Hangchow to the effect that all opium shops were to be closed on the 8th August. The Magistrate as well as the Prefect were confirmed opium-smokers, but it is stated that both have now given up the habit.
Peking.
A native newspaper published on the 28th June that, "The Government Council is considering the imposition of a fine, varying with the rank of the offender, on all officials, from Princes and Ministers down to the lowest ranks, who fail to abandon the use of opium, the proceeds of the fine to be devoted to the 'patriotic fund,'"
Tengyueh.
His Majesty's Consul reports that various officials have informed him that no steps will be taken to carry out the Imperial Regulations until the autumn. The Regulations are not it appears being looked upon by the officials or the people seriously. It is difficult to see how the Chinese can suppress the poppy cultivation; the vast majority of officials never go outside their yamên walls except to pay calls. Exhortation will certainly not deter the Yunnanese from cultivating poppy and producing opium, and force dare not be applied.
Tien-tsin.
A missionary, writing on the 21st March from beyond the Great Wall, states that Proclamations, giving the gist of the Edict dealing with opium, have been scattered widely over the territory, and a heavy tax will be imposed on land used for its growth. The general impression is said to be that the programme would not be seriously carried out unless there were some strong men at head-quarters to make the Governors and District Magistrates of the Empire feel that serious business is meant. A native has informed the same missionary that, in his opinion, there is too unch opium used in the Palace for the crusade to be pushed too hard. From Lucheng, South Shensi, it is reported that the Magistrate, "à big opium smoker and eater, has done nothing beyond posting the provincial Proclamations in the yaniên. Taxes to be increased. No local movement." Of the city of Li Cheng it is reported that the Magistrate is a non-smoker, and has posted a Proclamation, giving ten years to slowly cease growing, the tax being increased each year. From Ilsuan Hua-fu, three days north of Peking, the issue is reported of a Proclamation by the Governor ordering people to abandon opium. But a later Proclamation by a local official requested the people still to cultivate the poppy, otherwise great loss to revenne would ensue. So the people are perplexed what to do. The Prefect and District Magistrate are freely distributing native-made opium medicines to those desirous of breaking off the habit. In Hsuan Hun-fu only about per cent. of the land is planted with poppy, the land being too poor for such cultiva- tion. The gentry seem indifferent in the matter. From Taiyuan-fu it is reported by a missionary, who recently visited the places where opium is most extensively cultivated in Shansi, that on the borders of the district he found there was some diminution this year in the amount of opium grown, but in disregard of the Governor's Edicts, throughout the greater portion of the district the cultivation of the poppy was being carried on as exten-
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