[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
# CHINA TRADE.
## CONFIDENTIAL.
(1039)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
513 6167
[January 28.]
VF 20 FEB 08 SECTION 1.
(No. 47.) Sir,
Foreign Office, January 25, 1908.
I HAVE received your despatch No. 547 of the 25th November, 1907, inclosing a copy of a letter addressed by the Shanghai Municipal Council to the senior Consul, stating the local aspect of the opium question, so far as it presents itself to that body.
The following points suggest themselves in view of the decision of the Council to take no immediate steps to reduce the number of licences for opium saloons within their jurisdiction:
The period of ten years fixed for the gradual extinction of poppy cultivation in China has no necessary connection with the treatment of opium dens.
I understand that the poppy is allowed to be cultivated under restrictions in India, but that opium saloons have long been totally suppressed. Their suppression is a police and disciplinary measure, the necessity for which is not disproved by the contention that the opium-consuming habit may be continued in private houses. In India persons are at liberty to consume opium in their own houses in spite of the suppression of saloons, the reason for the distinction being that in their own homes they are not surrounded by the atmosphere of vice which is found where a public saloon is run for the purposes of profit.
I am disposed to think that the Council would give a more convincing proof of their desire to second the efforts of the Chinese Government to suppress the opium habit if they would take immediate steps for the gradual suppression of saloons and for the prohibition of assemblages for opium smoking in private houses, leaving private smoking at home untouched. They have before them the example of steps taken by the Chinese authorities in the native city of Shanghai and in other large towns, and they should surely place themselves in line in this respect with Chinese action.
I shall be glad if you will communicate these observations to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai, pointing out to him the distinction existing between public and private consumption and the undesirability of the Municipal Council appearing to be lacking in goodwill in their co-operation with the Chinese authorities for the eradication of the opium habit; and you should suggest that the ratepayers would surely be willing to provide other sources of revenue to make good the loss entailed by the abolition of licences for public saloons.
I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY,
[2813 bb-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(1039)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
513 6167
[Januar 28.]
VF 20 FEB 08 SECTION 1.
(No. 47.) Sir,
Foreign Office, January 25, 1908. I HAVE received your despatch No. 547 of the 25th November, 1907, inclosing a copy of a letter addressed by the Shanghae Municipal Council to the senior Consul, stating the local aspect of the opium question, so far as it presents itself to that body.
The following points suggest themselves in view of the decision of the Council to take no immediate steps to reduce the number of licences for opium saloons within their jurisdiction :---
The period of ten years fixed for the gradual extinction of poppy cultivation in China has no necessary connection with the treatment of opium dens.
I understand that the poppy is allowed to be cultivated under restrictions in India, but that opium saloons have long been totally suppressed. Their suppression is a police and disciplinary measure, the necessity for which is not disproved by the contention that the opium-consuming habit may be continued in private houses. In India persons are at liberty to consume opium in their own houses in spite of the suppression of saloons, the reason for the distinction being that in their own homes they are not surrounded by the atmosphere of vice which is found where a public saloon is run for the purposes of profit,
I am disposed to think that the Council would give a more convincing proof of their desire to second the efforts of the Chinese Government to suppress the opium habit if they would take immediate steps for the gradual suppression of saloons and for the prohibition of assemblages for opium smoking in private houses, leaving private smoking at home untouched. They have before them the example of steps taken by the Chinese authorities in the native city of Shanghae and in other large towns, and they should surely place themselves in line in this respect with Chinese action.
I shall be glad if you will communicate these observations to His Majesty's Consul- General at Shanghae, pointing out to him the distinction existing between public and private consumption and the undesirability of the Municipal Council appearing to be lacking in goodwill in their co-operation with the Chinese authorities for the eradication of the opium habit; and you should suggest that the ratepayers would surely be willing to provide other sources of revenue to make good the loss entailed by the abolition of licences for public saloons.
I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY,
[2813 bb-1]
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