the "man in the street," the local authorities, with, perhaps, one exception, and the gentry of Shanghae and the neighbourhood seem to vie with one another in protesting their determination to carry out the first and most significant measure towards the ultimate fulfilment of the terms of the Imperial Edict.
On the 7th June gave an able review A leader of the "North China Daily News" of the situation, although not fully representing the dilemma in which the Municipal Council now finds itself. It is impossible to be too sanguine of Chinese sincerity, and it would be taking a great risk if the Municipal Council should lightly abandon a large income and turn the Settlements into a field for experiment, and thus, to take the most pessimistic view, to play absolutely into the hands of the Chinese by a complete closure of dens, which measure could hardly be repealed when once carried out. It is quite conceivable that dens under purely Chinese jurisdiction could reopen quietly within a comparatively short time of the official closure, under the auspices of yamên runners or other persons of influence. These would be rid of dangerous competitors on the Settlements who could cut prices, enabled to do so by the more equitable treatment of the Municipal Council and the absence of Chinese extortion.
If, on the other hand, the dens on the Settlements are allowed to remain in operation for any length of time after the temporary or permanent closure, as the case may be, of those outside, the Chinese authorities will reiterate their old arguments on foreign imposition of poison on their people, and a rush of undesirables will take place from districts where their liberty of indulgence is interfered with. In Chinese eyes there will also rest with the foreigner the odium of necessitating the reopening of the dens in the city and suburbs, and the thwarting of the great effort towards the welfare of China.
Those who will suffer by the opium prohibition do not seem to doubt the bona fides of the local authorities, and their determination and power to enforce the measure, witness the threats, protests, and petitions daily noticed in the press. The notices of these which have appeared in the various journals during the last fortnight are so numerous that translations of them would constitute a formidable volume. A list of these is therefore given in the present Memorandum, with translations of a few of the more important Proclamations and official documents.
Torment is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 1.)
American Embassy, London, October 30, 1907.
WITH reference to your note of the 14th March last in reply to the Memorandum which I handed to you on the 11th February relating to the question of the production of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of correspondence setting forth the replies of the various Governments to the proposal of the United States to appoint a Commission to investigate this question.
It may be remembered that the initial inquiry instituted by my Government elicited favourable responses, further instructions were then issued to the several American Diplomatic Representatives expressing the desire on the part of the United States to be informed whether the Governments concerned preferred to investigate the opium question by means of a Conference or through a Joint Commission.
In their replies all the Governments mentioned accepted the proposal in principle. In one instance the reservation expressed a preference for a Joint Commission. It was made that the inquiry should cover the production of opium in China as well as importation, while several accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured of the co-operation of China. Assurances of the co-operation of China have been given in their reply to my Government, while their general policy in the matter is evidenced by the fact that Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been promulgated by the Chinese Government.
In sending to you the present inclosures, I am instructed to convey the expression of the sincere gratification of my Government at the acceptance in principle by His Majesty's Government of the Joint Opium Commission, as well as their appreciation of the friendly interest which they have shown in the contemplated effort to suppress the opium evil in the Far East.
I further venture to inquire whether or not His Majesty's Government find it convenient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed Commission, it being suggested that the several Governments may prefer to await the selection of a place and date of meeting before proceeding to name Commissioners.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WHITELAW REID.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Translation.)
Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Rockhill.
Foreign Office, Peking, July 23, 1907.
WITH regard to the proposal to appoint a Commission to investigate the opium question, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 15th instant, in which you explain clearly the meaning of the first and second paragraphs of your previous despatch. In the note under acknowledgment you also make the following statements:—
1. "As for the manner in which the investigation shall be conducted, the Commissioners themselves, after they shall have met together, must consider and decide upon such details, but none of the Governments represented will be bound to accept the conclusions of the Commissioners or to act upon their recommendations. Each Government will reserve to itself the right to act as it may see fit."
2. "All that is now asked is that China will consent to the general principle of a Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question."
3. "I trust that I may be favoured at an early date with a reply assenting to such general principle.
Page 203
the "man in the street," the local authorities, with, perhaps, one exception, and the gentry of Shanghae and the neighbourhood seem to vie with one another in protesting their determination to carry out the first and most significant measure towards the ultimate fulfilment of the terms of the Imperial Edict.
on the 7th June gave an able review A leader of the "North China Daily News of the situation, although not fully representing the dilemma in which the Municipal Council now finds itself. It is impossible to be too sanguine of Chinese sincerity, and it would be taking a great risk if the Municipal Council should lightly abandon a large income and turn the Settlements into a field for experiment, and thus, to take the most pessimistic view, to play absolutely into the hands of the Chinese by a complete closure of dens, which measure could hardly be repealed when once carried out. It is quite conceivable that dens under purely Chinese jurisdiction could reopen quietly within a comparatively short time of the official closure, under the auspices of yamên runners or other persons of influence. These would be rid of dangerous competitors on the Settlements who could cut prices, enabled to do so by the more equitable treatment of the Municipal Council and the absence of Chinese extortion.
If, on the other hand, the dens on the Settlements are allowed to remain in operation for any length of time after the temporary or permanent closure, as the case may be, of those outside, the Chinese authorities will reiterate their old arguments on foreign imposition of poison on their people, and a rush of undesirables will take place from districts where their liberty of indulgence is interfered with. In Chinese eyes there will also rest with the foreigner the odium of necessitating the reopening of the dens in the city and suburbs, and the thwarting of the great effort towards the welfare of China.
Those who will suffer by the opium prohibition do not seem to doubt the bona fides of the local authorities, and their determination and power to enforce the measure, witness the threats, protests, and petitions daily noticed in the press. The notices of these which have appeared in the various journals during the last fortnight are so numerous that translations of them would constitute a formidable volume. A list of these is therefore given in the present Memorandum, with translations of a few of the more important Proclamations and official documents.
Torment is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. į
NA TRADE.
FIDENTIAL.
983]
R
No. 1.
REC
C[No
436
1129 DEC 07
Rt. 30 MAR 08,
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 1.)
American Embassy, London, October 30, 1907. WITH reference to your note of the 14th March last in reply to the Memo- dum which I handed to you on the 11th February relating to the question of the duction of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of respondence setting forth the replies of the various Governments to the proposal of United States to appoint a Commission to investigate this question.
It may be remembered that the initial inquiry instituted by my Government ing elicited favourable responses, further instructions were then issued to the ral American Diplomatic Representatives expressing the desire on the part the United States to be informed whether the Governments concerned preferred nvestigate the opium question by means of a Conference or through a Joint mission.
In their replies all the Governments mentioned accepted the proposal in principle, In one instance the reservation expressed a preference for a Joint Commission. made that the inquiry should cover the production of opium in China as well as importation, while several accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured the co-operation of China. Assurances of the co-operation of China have been en in their reply to my Government, while their general policy in the matter is enced by the fact that Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been mulgated by the Chinese Government.
In sending to you the present inclosures, I am instructed to convey the expression the sincere gratification of my Government at the acceptance in principle by His jesty's Government of the Joint Opium Commission, as well as their appreciation the friendly interest which they have shown in the contemplated effort to suppress
opium evil in the Far East.
I further venture to inquire whether or not His Majesty's Government find it venient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed Commission, it ng suggested that the several Governments may prefer to await the selection of a ace and date of meeting before proceeding to name Commissioners.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WHITELAW REID.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1,
Franslation.) four Excellency,
Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Rockhill.
Foreign Office, Peking, July 23, 1907. WITH regard to the proposal to appoint a Commission to investigate the opinm estion, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of 15th instant, in which you explain clearly the meaning of the first and second agraphs of your previous despatch. In the note under acknowledgment you also ake the following statements :---
1. "As for the manner in which the investigation shall be conducted, the ommissioners themselves, after they shall have met together, must consider and cide upon such details, but none of the Governments represented will be bound to cept the conclusions of the Commissioners or to act upon their recommendations. Each Government will reserve to itself the right to act as it may see fit."
2. "All that is now asked is that China will consent to the general principle of a int Commission for the investigation of the opium question."
3. "I trust
that I may be favoured at an early date with a reply assenting"
Buch general principle.
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203
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