[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
2
As compared with the thousand and one dens which existed before the 20th June last, the reopening of these few houses would be scarcely worth mentioning but for the fact that the information which I have obtained points towards the gradual reopening of more and more of them. There appears to be a general feeling, too, amongst the Chinese that the initial crusade against opium, which was certainly intended to reduce the evil, is less severe than at first, and that, Chinese fashion, the old order is returning.
The opium dens in the International Settlement have not benefited as might have been expected by the drastic measures taken in the native city. For one thing, the Settlement is too remote from the native town to tempt many smokers over, and then again the Council has helped to prevent an influx of evicted den proprietors by refusing to issue any new licences in the Settlement.
In the French Concession, on the other hand, which adjoins the native city, the opium dens have, during the last few months, done a greatly increased business, and numbers of new licences have been issued. They have undoubtedly attracted to that Settlement a considerable portion of the old clientèle of the city dens.
There appears to be little diminution in the general consumption of opium, as the dealers do not complain of any notable decrease in their sales. In the opinion, however, of the best-informed natives the movement has already done a deal of good, and a considerable number of smokers have undoubtedly given up the habit. It is amongst the lower classes apparently that it has been least successful.
From statements in the native papers, I understand that the tax on opium shops is shortly to be raised, and it is expected, as a result, that many of them will close their doors.
I have, &c.
(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.
>>
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL,
[4194]
No. 1.
64
[February 3.]
SECTION 1.
Question asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.
Sir Henry Cotton,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, in accordance with the Chinese Opium Edict, all opium dens in the native city of Shanghae, to the number of 700, have been closed, and that no steps have been taken to close 1,600 opium dens in the International Settlement which is under the control of the Shanghae Municipal Council; and whether His Majesty's Government will adopt measures to insure that the anti-opium campaign in China is not discouraged and thwarted by the reluctance of the Municipal Council to co-operate with the Chinese authorities.
Answered by Mr. Runciman (for Sir Edward Grey).
The facts as regards the closing of the opium saloons in the native city at Shanghae and their retention in the International Settlement are as stated in the question. The Municipal Council is responsible to the ratepayers of the Settlement, and is not under the control of His Majesty's Government. The Council has decided not to issue any further licences, but it is understood that it does not consider it would be justified in doing more, pending reference to the ratepayers at their annual meeting, which takes place in March next. His Majesty's Government will use all the influence in their power to insure that bona fide efforts on the part of the Chinese authorities to diminish the opium habit in China are not thwarted, but encouraged.
[4075]
No. 2.
Question asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.
Captain Craig,-To ask the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government have taken to give effect to the unanimous vote of the House of Commons on the 30th May, 1906, that the Indo-Chinese opium trade is morally indefensible, and requests His Majesty's Government to take such steps as may be necessary for bringing it to a speedy close.
Answer.
On the 29th July last, in reply to a question in this House, I explained the proposals which His Majesty's Government had communicated to the Chinese Government for carrying out, in co-operation with that Government, the policy of restriction. I am glad to say that the Chinese Government have accepted with expressions of gratitude our scheme for a progressive reduction of the export of opium from India. Papers on the subject will be laid on the table by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the course of a few days.
[2842 c-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
2
As compared with the thousand and one dens which existed before the 20th June last, the reopening of these few houses would be scarcely worth mentioning but for the fact that the information which I have obtained points towards the gradual reopening of more and more of them. There appears to be a general feeling, too, amongst the Chinese that the initial crusade against opium, which was certainly intended to reduce the evil, is less severe than at first, and that, Chinese fashion, the old order is returning.
The opium dens in the international Settlement have not benefited as might have been expected by the drastic measures taken in the native city. For one thing, the Settlement is too remote from the native town to tempt many smokers over, and then again the Council has helped to prevent an influx of evicted den proprietors by refusing to issue any new licences in the Settlement.
In the French Concession, on the other hand, which adjoins the native city, the opium dens have, during the last few months, done a greatly increased business, and numbers of new licences have been issued. They have undoubtedly attracted to that Settlement a considerable portion of the old clientèle of the city dens.
There appears to be little diminution in the general consumption of opium, as the dealers do not complain of any notable decrease in their sales. In the opinion, however, of the best-informed natives the movement has already deal of good, and a considerable number of smokers have undoubtedly given up the habit. It is amongst th lower classes apparently that it has been least successful.
From statements in the native papers, I understand that the tax on opium shops is shortly to be raised, and it is expected, as a result, that many of them will close their doors.
I have, &c.
(Signed) PELHAM L. WARREN.
>>
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL,
[4194]
No. 1.
64
[February 3.]
SECTION 1.
Question asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.
Sir Henry Cotton,-To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, in accordance with the Chinese Opium Edict, all opium dens in the native city of Shanghae, to the number of 700, have been closed, and that no steps have been taken to close 1,600 opium dens in the International Settlement which is under the control of the Shanghae Municipal Council; and whether His Majesty's Government will adopt measures to insure that the anti-opium campaign in China is not discouraged and thwarted by the reluctance of the Municipal Council to co-operate with the Chinese authorities.
Answered by Mr. Runciman (for Sir Edward Grey).
The facts as regards the closing of the opium saloons in the native city at Shanghae and their retention in the International Settlement are as stated in the question. The Municipal Council is responsible to the ratepayers of the Settlement, and is not under the control of His Majesty's Government. The Council has decided not to issue any further licences, but it is understood that it does not consider it would be justified in doing more, pending reference to the ratepayers at their annual meeting, which takes place in March next. His Majesty's Government will use all the influence in their power to insure that bond fide efforts on the part of the Chinese authorities to diminish the opium habit in China are not thwarted, but encouraged.
[4075]
No. 2.
Question asked in the House of Commons, February 3, 1908.
Captain Craig,-To ask the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government have taken to give effect to the unanimous vote of the House of Commons on the 30th May, 1906, that the Indo-Chinese opium trade is morally indefensible, and requests His Majesty's Government to take such steps as may be necessary for bringing it to a speedy close.
Answer.
On the 29th July last, in reply to a question in this House, I explained the proposals which His Majesty's Government had communicated to the Chinese Govern- ment for carrying out, in co-operation with that Government, the policy of restriction. I am glad to say that the Chinese Government have accepted with expressions of gratitude our scheme for a progressive reduction of the export of opium from India. Papers on the subject will be laid on the table by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the course of a few days.
[2842 c-1]
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