old smoking utensils, 5,000 of which were publicly burned. Anti-opium pills are distributed gratis. A thriving trade is done by selling opium in the form of anti-opium pills, so that the people can change smoking for eating opium, which is cheaper and more convenient. It is stated on very reliable authority that it is far more difficult to cure opium or morphia eating than smoking or injection. The Anti-Opium Society is adopting similar measures in the country districts.
The Provincial Treasurer has been suspended on account of his opium tendencies. At Chuchow, in the south of the province, the local officials have either given up the habit or are endeavouring to do so, and one is said to have died in the attempt. The dens are all closed, and the trade of the opium shops is reduced to one-sixth of what it was last year.
At Yenchow, in the east of the province, all the dens are closed, and anti-opium medicines are distributed gratis under the auspices of the leading officials and gentry.
Ningpo. Activity in the movement has been delayed owing to the circumstance that the revenue is chiefly derived from opium, and cannot be dispensed with until a new source is found.
Both the Prefect and the Magistrate are said to have given up the habit, while two-thirds of the population are in favour of the Decree.
Apparently there is no decrease in the poppy-growing area.
All the dens in the city and in the Settlement are closed.
Kiangsi Province.—Production, 690 piculs. Generally throughout the province the dens have been closed and without any trouble, though shops selling raw opium are still open. The people are in sympathy with the Decree. But little opium is grown in the province. In the north-eastern portion only two-thirds of the old poppy ground has been taken up for the same purpose; but this is said to be due, not to the Decree, but to the high price obtainable for rice and flour. In any case it is not possible to form a reliable opinion till the winter crop appears.
At Yaochow the head of police, "said to be the only opium-smoking official in the city, has been suspended for six months pending his cure.
Fukhien Province.—Production, 2,000 piculs—probably under-estimated.
In Foochow a native Anti-Opium League has been started, and, owing to the energy exercised, some 500 dens have been closed.
The high officials are said to have given up smoking. Three large and successful refuges have been opened in the city, and the treatment is gratis.
In the surrounding district all the dens are closed, and a very heavy fee is imposed for licences to opium shops. Four refuges have been opened and financed by the gentry, also many private ones. Admission is 2s. a-day for food and treatment, and free for the poor.
Each building holds about twenty.
At Hsing-hua all the dens are closed, six proprietors having been cangued for refusing. A meeting has been held by the officials and gentry, when it was decided to open refuges.
Amoy.—For some time no active measures were taken, but as soon as the Foochow Taotai sent officials to inquire why nothing had been done the local Taotai hastily issued a Proclamation on the 10th of July, and closed all the dens by the 19th, which shows what can be done in China when the officials are in earnest. Opium can still be purchased in retail shops, but may not be consumed in public places.
The poppy area is small, and some 50 miles north of Amoy has been reduced, owing, it is said, to the attitude of the Government.
The more important officials are endeavouring to give up the habit, also some of the literati.
Kuangtung Province.—Production, 500 piculs.
Kiungchow (Hainan Island).—Official control over the people is here purely nominal. Some 300 persons have registered themselves as smokers, and one or two dens have been closed.
Canton. There is considerable activity among the Anti-Opium Societies and students in the way of propaganda, and well-attended meetings have been held, while smoking is no longer the fashionable vice. It has been decided that all officials are to cease smoking; all divans are to be registered, and the lawless ones closed. All smoking is to cease in hotels, restaurants, and brothels.
In June there was evidence of a desire to start opium farms in the provinces of Kuangtung and Kuangsi on the lines of that in Hong Kong, but the immense practical difficulties to be encountered prevented the idea from being carried out.
In September the authorities introduced a new licence fee, which, from the manner of its incidence, was in opposition to Treaties. It was withdrawn on the protest of His Majesty's Consul-General. Similar attempts were made in 1902 and 1903, but failed. It is reported in the newspapers that a non-commissioned officer, together with several others was executed by order of the Viceroy for assembling to smoke opium.
Swatow—Little attention is paid to the Edict beyond a prohibition to smoke in public places. Purchasers may buy as much opium as they require, but must smoke at home. There are no licences.
In the neighbourhood of Swatow the dens are closed, and popular feeling is undoubtedly in favour of prohibition. In one case a den which remained open after the time limit was plundered by the people, but whether owing to moral indignation or to recognition of a favourable occasion to loot is uncertain; but the incident tends to show that the movement has public sympathy. Many Anti-Opium Societies have been started.
Little poppy is grown, but the area is decreasing.
At Chao-chow, though some thirty divans have been closed, all is confusion as far as the rest of the Decree is concerned, and the only practical proof of success is the fall in the import of opium by ten chests a month, while the price of foreign opium shows a steady decline. Native has also fallen in value.
Kuangsi Province.—Production, 3,000 piculs. At Nanning popular enthusiasm in favour of the Decree is so great that strong measures meet with no opposition. The dens are closed and a thorough inspection made by officials, who visit every shop, house, and hovel to obtain particulars regarding smokers.
At Kueilin, the capital, efficient measures were at once taken by the authorities. The dens are closed, but the drug can still be purchased in the retail shops. The future prospects are looked upon as distinctly hopeful, according to a missionary. Public feeling is aroused, and an energetic Governor is all that is wanted.
At Wuchow the action of the officials has been fairly satisfactory. The dens are closed, and two recalcitrant proprietors were fined and cangued.
Hunan Province.—Production, 3,000 piculs. At Changsha the authorities are sincerely in sympathy with the movement, and none of the local officials smokes.
The proprietors of dens—544 in number—have been compelled to give bonds to close within six months. Two dispensaries have been opened officially, and the poor are attended gratis. Two refuges were opened—one being subsequently closed, a single one being thought sufficient.
Close upon 200 cures are reported up to the end of September.
In the west of the province considerable official earnestness is shown, the dens closed, and rewards offered to any one who discovers illicit establishments. A census of each household is taken to facilitate the control of smokers.
Hanan Province.—Production, 5,000 piculs. Little or nothing has been done in this province beyond the issue of the Proclamation. About 15 per cent. of the land is under poppy, and in the north of the province it is said that it is the feeling of uncertainty which prevents people from sowing more.
In one district, however, there is a reduction, and in another the crop was rooted up at the suggestion of the officials. But with these exceptions and the closing of the dens at Fukow no energetic measures have been taken.
Hupei Province.—Production, 4,000 piculs. At Hankow nothing has been done beyond threats of dismissal of officials, soldiers, and students, and, although dens have been closed in certain districts, shops still sell the drug. In some districts wheat has been sown among the poppies with the idea of replacing it, while in the north of the province the poppy area has, if anything, increased.
Ichong—Nothing whatever has been done—no Proclamations issued, and one or two more dens have been opened.
Szechuan Province.—Production, 200,000 piculs, of which 182,000 is consumed in the province, practically no foreign opium entering this part of China. When these figures are compared with 330,000, the estimated total annual production of opium in China, it will be readily perceived how important a place this province holds in connection with the opium question.
The area of the province is said to be 167,000 square miles; that of the British Islands is 136,000. Sir Alexander Hosie, the Acting Commercial Attaché in Peking, who has spent five years in the province, has given the following account of the cultivation of opium in Szechuan:—
"The province was at one time the great wheat producer and exporter, but since the rapid extension of poppy cultivation that export has ceased and has been replaced
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old smoking utensils, 5,000 of which were publicly burned. Anti-opium pills are distributed gratis. A thriving trade is done by selling opium in the form of anti-opium pills, so that the people can change smoking for eating opium, which is cheaper and more convenient. It is stated on very reliable authority that it is far more difficult to cure opium or morphia eating than smoking or injection. The Anti-Opium Society is adopting similar measures in the country districts.
The Provincial Treasurer has been suspended on account of his opium tendencies. At Chuchow, in the south of the province, the local officials have either given up the habit or are endeavouring to do so, and one is said to have died in the attempt. The dens are all closed, and the trade of the opium shops is reduced to one-sixth of wliat it was last year.
At Yenchow, in the east of the province, all the dens are closed, and anti-opium medicines are distributed gratis under the auspices of the leading officials and gentry.
Ningpo. Activity in the movement has been delayed owing to the circumstance that the revenue is chiefly derived from opium, and cannot be dispensed with until a new source is found.
Both the Prefect and the Magistrate are said to have given up the habit, while two- thirds of the population are in favour of the Decree.
Apparently there is no decrease in the poppy-growing area.
All the dens in the city and in the Settlement are closed.
Kiangsi Province.-Production, 690 piculs. Generally throughout the province the dens have been closed and without any trouble, though shops selling raw opium are still open. The people are in sympathy with the Decree. But little opium is grown in the province. In the north-eastern portion only two-thirds of the old poppy ground has been taken up for the same purpose; but this is said to be due, not to the Decree, but to the bigh price obtainable for rice and flour. In any case it is not possible to form a reliable opinion till the winter crop appears.
At Yaochow the heat of police, "said to be the only opium-smoking official in the city, has been suspended for six months pending his care,
Fukhien Province.-Production, 2,000 piculs-probably under-estimated.
In Foochow a native Anti-Opium League has been started, and, owing to the energy exercises, some 500 dens have been closed.
The high officials are said to have given up smoking. Three large and successful refuges have been opened in the city, and the treatment is gratis.
In the surrounding district all the dens are closed, and a very heavy fee is imposed for licences to opium shops. Four refuges have been opened and financed by the gentry, also many private ones. Admission is 24d. a-day for food and treatment, and free for the poor.
Each building holds about twenty.
At Hsing-hua all the dens are closed, six proprietors having been cangued for refusing. A meeting has been held by the officials and gentry, when it was decided to open refuges.
Amoy.--For some time no active measures were taken, but as soon as the Foochow Taotai sent officials to inquire why nothing had been done the local Taotai hastily issued a Proclamation on the 10th of July, and closed all the dens by the 19th, which shows what can be done in China when the officials are in earnest. Opium can still be purchased in retail shops, but may not be consumed in public places.
The poppy area is small, and some 50 miles north of Amoy has been reduced, owing, it is said, to the attitude of the Government.
The more important officials are endeavouring to give up the habit, also some of the literati.
Kuangtung Province.--Production, 500 piculs.
Kiungchow (Hainan Island).---Official control over the people is here purely nominal. Some 300 persons have registered themselves as smokers, and one or two dens have been closed.
Cunton. There is considerable activity among the Anti-Opium Societies and students in the way of propaganda, and well-attended meetings have been held, while smoking is no longer the fashionable vice. It has been decided that all officials are to cease smoking; all divans are to be registered, and the lawless ones closed. All smoking is to cease in hotels, restaurants, and brothels.
In June there was evidence of a desire to start opium farms in the provinces of Kuangtung and Kuangsi on the lines of that in Hong Kong, but the immense practical difficulties to be encountered prevented the idea from being carried out.
In September the authorities introduced a new licence fee, which, from the manner of its incidence, was in opposition to Treaties. It was withdrawn on the protest of His
9
521
Majesty's Consul-General. Similar attempts were made in 1902 and 1903, but failed. It is reported in the newspapers that a non-commissioned officer, together with several others was executed by order of the Viceroy for assembling to smoke opium.
Swatow-Little attention is paid to the Edict beyond a prohibition to smoke in public places. Purchasers may buy as much opium as they require, but must smoke at
home. There are no licences.
In the neighbourhood of Swatow the dens are closed, and popular feeling is undoubtedly in favour of prohibition. In one case a den which remained open after the time limit was plundered by the people, but whether owing to moral indignation or to recognition of a favourable occasion to loot is uncertain; but the incident tends to show that the movement has public sympathy. Many Anti-Opium Societies have been started.
Little poppy is grown, but the area is decreasing.
At Chao-chow, though some thirty divans have been closed, all is confusion as far as the rest of the Decree is concerned, and the only practical proof of success is the fall in the import of opium by ten chests a month, while the price of foreign opium shows a steady decline. Native has also fallen in value.
Kuangsi Province.-Production, 3,000 piculs. At Nanning popular enthusiasm in favour of the Decree is so great that strong measures meet with no opposition. The dens are closed and a thorough inspection made by officials, who visit every shop, house, and hovel to obtain particulars regarding smokers,
At Kueilin, the capital, efficient measures were at once taken by the authorities. The dens are closed, but the drug can still be purchased in the retail shops. The future prospects are looked upon as distinctly hopeful, according to a missionary. Public feeling is aroused, and an energetic Governor is all that is wanted.
At Wuchow the action of the officials has been fairly satisfactory. The dens are closed, and two recalcitrant proprietors were fined and cangued.
Hunan Province.---Production, 3,000 piculs. At Changsha the authorities are sincerely in sympathy with the movement, and none of the local officials smokes.
The proprietors of dens-544 in number-have been compelled to give bonds to close within six months. Two dispensaries have been opened officially, and the poor are attended gratis. Two refuges were opened--one being subsequently closed, a single oue being thought sufficient.
Close upon 200 cures are reported up to the end of September.
In the west of the province considerable official earnestness is shown, the dens closed, and rewards offered to any one who discovers illicit establishments, A census of each household is taken to facilitate the control of smokers.
Hanan Province,-Production, 5,000 piculs. Tittle or nothing has been done in this province beyond the issue of the Proclamation. About 15 per cent. of the land is under poppy, and in the north of the province it is said that it is the feeling of uncertainty which prevents people from sowing more.
In one district, however, there is a reduction, and in another the crop was rooted up at the suggestion of the officials. But with these exceptions and the closing of the dens at Fukow no energetic measures have been taken.
Hupei Province.--Production, 4,000 piculs. At Hankow nothing has been done beyond threats of dismissal of officials, soldiers, and students, and, although dens have been closed in certain districts, shops still sell the drug. In some districts wheat has been sown among the poppies with the idea of replacing it, while in the north of the province the poppy area has, if anything, increased.
Ichong-Nothing whatever has been done-no Proclamations issued, and one or two more dens have been opened.
Szechuan Province.-Production, 200,000 piculs, of which 182,000 is consumed in the province, practically no foreign opinn entering this part of China. When these figures are compared with 330,000, the estimated total annual production of opium in China, it will be readily perceived how important a place this province holds in connec- tion with the opium question.
The area of the province is said to be 167,000 square miles; that of the British Islands is 136,000. Sir Alexander Hosie, the Acting Commercial Attaché in Peking, who has spent five years in the province, has given the following account of the cultivation of opium in Szechuan:---
"The province was at one time the great wheat producer and exporter, but since the rapid extension of poppy cultivation that export has ceased and has been replaced
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