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"of the one in question.
It is most improbable that any
"Chinese would be deterred from forming such a society by
"fear of the displeasure of the Government.
The Society
Gov
"in question really only consisted in the fact that its
members signed a pledge to abstain. It is not active at
"the present moment.
The attitude of this Government in
suppressing the smuggling of Opium into China as described
in the Memorandum which accompanied my despatch of 27th.
October, 1908 must be well known to the Chinese.
This time last year a great "pro-
cession"
was organised by the Chinese Merchants with the
consent of Government with a view to promoting trade. It
was attended by many thousands of people from South China
and the proceeds were devoted to Charitable purposes.
Among the effigies carried was a "Cartoon of a particularly
pointed nature to illustrate the evils resulting from Opium
Smoking".
It was thus described by the Solicitors of the
Opium Farmer who protested against it, but I declined to
interefere.
I have explained personally to the
Chinese Members of Council my desire to restrict the evils
of Opium Eating and of the use of Morphia, and both they
and I think the Chinese Community generally are well
aware
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