public will, shows a consideration which is indeed rare, and the Taotai also, who has by his efforts succeeded in influencing the foreigners, is worthy of great praise. I trust that the new Taotai, Ts'ai Nai-huang, and the City Magistrate will, as occasion requires, effectively carry out such measures as have become necessary by the prohibition of opium, and that the illicit sale of the drug and of smoking dens will be strictly suppressed, so that no pretext may be given to others to change their intentions half way.
On the approach of the specified dates he should write to the Consular Body to have the Resolutions carried into effect, with a view to united action in the suppression of the evil. This is my earnest desire,
"The above should be communicated to Taotai Liang."
696
>
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[May 30.]
SECTION 2,
CHINA TRADE.
[18588]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 30.)
(No. 166.) Sir,
Peking, April 16, 1908. THE Decree of the 24th March, a translation of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 151 of the 30th March, dealt generally with the measures taken to extinguish the cultivation and use of opium, and it has now been followed by a Decree, issued on the 7th April, under which Prince Kung and other high officers of State are appointed Imperial Commissioners to enforce the application of the prohibition to persons holding official positions. A translation of this Decree is inclosed,
The Prohibition Commissioners are to establish within three months a special department for the purpose of weeding out of the public service all persons addicted to opium. It is foreseen that the duties imposed upon them are not likely to prove agreeable or popular, and they are consequently exhorted to perform them fearlessly, and to allow no personal considerations to sway them.
The high rank and character of the Commissioners leave no doubt of the sincerity of the Court's intentions, and there are already signs that the Decree is being taken seriously in Peking.
I have, &c.
(For His Majesty's Minister),
(Signed) STEPHEN LEECH.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Imperial Decree issued on April 7, 1908.
Appointment of Imperial Commissioners for the Enforcement of the Prohibition of Opium.
(Translation.)
IN view of the baneful effects produced by opium, officials of all ranks in the capital and the provinces should be eager to render respectful obedience to the Decrees which we have repeatedly issued prohibiting its use. We are informed, however, that there are still many officials addicted to the habit, some claiming that they have given up opium when they have not in reality entirely abandoned its use; others who have become confirmed opium smokers are cunning enough to conceal the fact in public, and there are even some who continue to indulge in it openly.
Unless special officers of high rank be appointed to take effective measures to enforce the prohibition, it is to be feared that there is small hope of our orders for the abolition of opium being carried into effect within the time fixed, and we accordingly appoint Prince Kung, the Assistant Grand Secretary Lu Chuan-lin, and the associate Directors of the Senate Ching-hsing and Ting Chen-to, to be Imperial Commissioners for the enforcement of the prohibition of opium. Let the Commissioners engage skilful physicians, Chinese and foreign, and forthwith establish a special investigation office for the eradication of the opium habit. Any official in a public office in the capital known to be addicted to opium smoking should, in accordance with the Regulations, be reported by the President and Vice-Presidents of the Board concerned for punishment, and
any official about whom there are grounds for suspicion shall be sent to the above office for a thorough investigation to be made.
A period of three months is allowed for the preparation of suitable regulations and the construction of an office, after which a Memorial shall be submitted and work commenced. Should it come to the knowledge of the Commissioners that any official in a public office has not entirely abandoned the use of opium, they shall apply to the office concerned to have him sent for examination, or, in the case of the President or Vice-President of a Board or other high official, the Commissioners shall present a Memorial asking that he may be required to undergo an inquiry into his case.
---2]
[2967 99-
'The
public will, shows a consideration which is indeed rare, and the Taotai also, who has by his efforts succeeded in influencing the foreigners, is worthy of great praise. I trust that the new Taotai, Ts'ai Nai-huang, and the City Magistrate will, as occasion requires, effectively carry out such measures as have become necessary by the prohibition of opium, and that the illicit sale of the drug and of smoking dens will be strictly suppressed, so that no pretext may be given to others to change their intentions half way.
On the approach of the specified dates he should write to the Consular Body to have the Resolutions carried into effect, with a view to united action in the suppression of the evil. This is my earnest desire,
"The above should be communicated to Taotai Liang."
696
>
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[May 30.]
SECTION 2,
CHINA TRADE.
[18588]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 50.)
(No. 166.) Sir,
Peking, April 16, 1908. THE Decree of the 24th March, a translation of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 151 of the 30th March, dealt generally with the measures taken to extinguish the cultivation and use of opium, and it has now been followed by a Decree, issued on the 7th April, under which Prince Kung and other high officers of State are appointed Imperial Commissioners to enforce the application of the prohibition to persons holding official positions. A translation of this Decree is inclosed,
The Prohibition Commissioners are to establish within three months a special department for the purpose of weeding out of the public service all persons addicted to opium. It is foreseen that the duties imposed upon them are not likely to prove agree able or popular, and they are consequently exhorted to perform them fearlessly, and to allow no personal considerations to sway them.
The high rank and character of the Commissioners leave no doubt of the sincerity of the Court's intentions, and there are already signs that the Decree is being taken seriously in Peking.
I have, &c.
(For His Majesty's Minister),
(Signed) STEPHEN LEECH.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Imperial Decree issued on April 7, 1908.
Appointment of Imperial Commissioners for the Enforcement of the Prohibition of Opium.
(Translation.)
IN view of the baneful effects produced by opium, officials of all ranks in the capital and the provinces should be eager to render respectful obedience to the Decrees which we have repeatedly issued prohibiting its use. We are informed, however, that there are still many officials addicted to the habit, some claiming that they have given up opium when they have not in reality entirely abandoned its use; others who have become confirmed opium smokers are cunning enough to conceal the fact in public, and there are even some who continue to indulge in it openly.
Unless special officers of high rank be appointed to take effective measures to enforce the prohibition, it is to be feared that there is small hope of our orders for the abolition of opium being carried into effect within the time fixed, and we accordingly appoint Prince Kung, the Assistant Grand Secretary Lu Chuan-lin, and the associate Directors of the Senate Ching-lising and Ting Chen-to, to be Imperial Commissioners for the enforcement of the prohibition of opium. Let the Commissioners engage skilful physicians, Chinese and foreign, and forthwith establish a special investigation office for the eradication of the opium habit. Any official in a public office in the capital known to be addicted to opium smoking should, in accordance with the Regulations, be reported by the President and Vice-Presidents of the Board concerned for punishment, and
any official about whom there are grounds for suspicion shall be sent to the above office for a thorough investigation to be made.
A period of three months is allowed for the preparation of suitable regulations and the construction of an office, after which a Memorial shall be submitted and work commenced. Should it come to the knowledge of the Commissioners that any official in a public office has not entirely abandoned the use of opium, they shall apply to the office concerned to have him sent for examination, or, in the case of the President or Vice-President of a Board or other high official, the Commissioners shall present a Memorial asking that he may be required to undergo an inquiry into his case.
---2]
[2967 99-
'The
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