Page 6
Japan.
The cultivation of the poppy is only permitted for medicinal and ornamental purposes, and opium smoking is forbidden by law.
In Formosa the poppy is not grown, opium is a Government monopoly, and only those Chinese are permitted to smoke who are provided with official licences.
Portugal.
The situation of Macao renders it as important in regard to the opium trade as the Colony of Hong Kong, and the co-operation of the Portuguese Government will therefore be of the greatest importance in insuring the success of prohibitive or restrictive measures.
America.
As a result of the labours of the Philippine Opium Committee, both Congress and the Legislative Body of the Philippine Islands enacted laws making it unlawful after the 1st March, 1908, to import opium in whatever form into the islands, except by the Government and for medicinal purposes only, and at no time shall it be lawful to sell opium to any native of the islands except for medicinal purposes.
As the statistics of opium of the Philippine Islands do not mention native opium, it may be taken for granted that the cultivation of the poppy is prohibited.
Opium does not figure in the list of exports from the Philippines. At Hawaii opium is totally prohibited, and it is not produced in the United States.
The various provinces of China will now be taken one by one and a general account given of each one in connection with the anti-opium movement.
Manchuria.
Opium has never had the same hold on the people in this province as in other parts of China. In the south the Regulations continue to be enforced with considerable zeal by the officials under the enlightened guidance of Tong Shao-yi, Governor of Mukden. This is especially the case in regard to the closing of dens and the licensing of smokers with a gradual reduction of the amount consumed, the opening of establishments for the cure of the habit, and the punishment of offenders.
Little has been done to reduce cultivation in the north, but in the south it has practically ceased, owing to the fear of the Regulations and the energy of the officials. In the east of the province, where public opinion is generally favourable to the Anti-Opium Edict, reduction is noticeable both in cultivation and consumption, though at Antung the success of the movement is hampered by the action of the Japanese, who permit the Chinese to use in their Settlement a drug which it is illegal for the Japanese themselves to smoke.
Chihli Province.
The movement continues to be popular among reform officials, and is generally approved of by the people. Little, however, is being done in the matter.
Shansi Province.
Dens and shops may be said to be generally open and uninspected; cultivation has been slightly reduced. In one district the tax per mou (6 mou equal 1 acre) has been increased from 60 tael cents to 2.40 taels; in another opium growers are registered, and those only are allowed to grow it. The movement generally, though, is described as a farce as far as the province is concerned. To commence with, people's minds were prepared, and much could have been done had the officials done their duty.
Page 12
Shensi Province.
There is no lack of Proclamations, but the officials take no material steps to stop the use of the drug. In some districts cultivation has been reduced by means of high taxation.
Kansu Province.
The sale of the drug is restricted by Proclamation, and the restriction is well enforced, causing heavy losses to merchants. Otherwise general indifference is noticeable. At Liangchow opium shops are divided into five classes and taxed accordingly. At Lanchow, the capital, official ingenuity has twisted the sense of the Anti-Opium Edict, and a Proclamation has been issued stating that, as the cultivation of the poppy is contrary to Imperial wishes, the Emperor declines to receive taxes from such a source. The result naturally is that all land available is given over to poppy. Here the shop tax has been remitted. Anti-opium medicines are freely distributed.
Shantung Province.
Reports are most conflicting as to the general state of the movement. In the south cultivation of poppy is reduced 50 per cent., wheat being substituted owing to the uncertain status of opium, to the fact that it is an equally paying crop, and because of the greatly enhanced taxation of poppy land. Near China-fu, also, cultivation has been much reduced. No licences to smokers are issued, nor are restrictions placed upon the purchase of prepared opium.
Towards the close of 1907 an official Prepared-Opium Bureau was inaugurated at Chefoo, which was to control all opium importation, either native or foreign. The drug was to be stored in the godowns of the Bureau, who alone could give permission to remove it. This being in contravention of Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858, protest was made by the Legation, with the result that the Rules were amended so as to exclude foreign opium. In March last the Bureau was closed, the trade being placed in the hands of thirty-nine merchants already established, who formed themselves into an Association for the conduct of the entire trade. The profits of this Society have been considerably diminished by wholesale smuggling, and it in consequence endeavoured to increase these profits by adulteration of the drug on a large scale. Smuggling, indeed, is carried on so extensively as to render all measures of suppression derisory, while the innumerable illicit dens appear to afford ample accommodation for all requirements.
Kiangsu Province.
This province continues to be amongst those foremost in energy in combating the evil. The movement still continues to be a popular one, though less enthusiasm is shown, but the result has been to attach a stigma to opium smoking which it did not previously possess. At Shanghae genuine efforts continue to be made by the officials and gentry to break off the habit, while official action in keeping the dens closed is most satisfactory; persons attempting to reopen are severely dealt with, being imprisoned and their plant confiscated. The number of licensed shops, however, has increased and now reaches 300, which pay 40 cash for each ounce of opium sold, producing about 1,500 dollars a-month, which is said to more than compensate for losses entailed by the closing of dens.
The Anti-Opium Societies, which undertook to assist any one to break off smoking, have disappeared, while the missionary hospitals, which were full of patients in the earlier stages of the movement, now take in no more than before the opium question was raised. Nowhere is there registration of smokers, who can buy the drug at any time at any shop selling it.
The sale of anti-opium medicines continues unabated, showing there must still be many who desire to break off the habit.
The poppy is but slightly grown in the province, and there has consequently been but little difficulty in restricting cultivation.
At Chinkiang, in the British Concession, as already reported, all dens were closed, but licences for opium shops for 1908 were not withheld. They are revocable, with compensation, at any moment, and will not be renewed in 1909. The loss of the revenue to the municipality will be considerable.
At Soochow watch on the dens is less strict. At Nanking cultivation is considerably reduced. The dens remain closed, but there is no inspection or registration of shops. At Kiangyin the dens are now reopened, nominally without the knowledge of the officials.
Page 163
i
6
Japan.
The cultivation of the poppy is only permitted for medicinal and ornamental purposes, and opium smoking is forbidden by law.
In Formosa the poppy is not grown, opium is a Government monopoly, and only those Chinese are permitted to smoke who are provided with official licences.
Portugal.
The situation of Macao renders it as important in regard to the opium trade as the Colony of Hong Kong, and the co-operation of the Portuguese Government will therefore be of the greatest importance in insuring the success of prohibitive or restrictive measures.
America.
As a result of the labours of the Philippine Opium Committee, both Congress and the Legislative Body of the Philippine Islands enacted laws making it unlawful after the 1st March, 1908, to import opium in whatever form into the islands, except by the Government and for medicinal purposes only, and at no time shall it be lawful to sell As the statistics of opium to any native of the islands except for medicinal purposes.
the Philippine Islands do not mention native opium, it may be taken for granted that the cultivation of the poppy is prohibited.
Opium does not figure in the list of exports from the Philippines. At Hawaii opium is totally prohibited, and it is not produced in the United States.
The various provinces of China will now be taken one by one and a general account given of each one in connection with the anti-opium movement.
Manchuria.
Opium has never had the same hold on the people in this province as in other parts of China. In the south the Regulations continue to be enforced with consider- able zeal by the officials under the enlightened guidance of Tong Shao-yi, Governor of Mukden. This is especially the case in regard to the closing of dens and the licensing of smokers with a gradual reduction of the amount consumed, the opening of establish- ments for the cure of the habit, and the punishment of offenders.
Little has been done to reduce cultivation in the north, but in the south it has practically ceased, owing to the fear of the Regulations and the energy of the officials. In the east of the province, where public opinion is generally favourable to the Anti- Opium Edict, reduction is noticeable both in cultivation and consumption, though at Antung the success of the movement is hampered by the action of the Japanese, who permit the Chinese to use in their Settlement a drug which it is illegal for the Japanese themselves to smoke.
Chikli Province.
The movement continues to be popular among reform officials, and is generally approved of by the people. Little, however, is being done in the matter.
Shansi Province.
Dens and shops may be said to be generally open and uninspected; cultivation has been slightly reduced. In one district the tax per mou (6 mon equal 1 acre) has been increased from 60 tael cents to 2:40 taels; in another opium growers are registered, and those only are allowed to grow it. The movement generally, though, is described as a farce as far as the province is concerned. To commence with, people's minds were prepared, and much could have been done had the officials done their duty.
[4
12
Shensi Province.
There is no lack of Proclamations, but the officials take no material steps to stop the use of the drug. In some districts cultivation has been reduced by means of high taxation.
}
7
Kansu Province.
The sale of the drug is restricted by Proclamation, and the restriction is well enforced, causing heavy losses to merchants. Otherwise general indifference is noticeable. At Liangchow opium shops are divided into five classes and taxed accordingly. At Langchow, the capital, official ingenuity has twisted the sense of the Anti-Opium Edict, and a Proclamation has been issued stating that, as the cultivation of the poppy is contrary to Imperial wishes, the Emperor declines to receive taxes from such a source. The result naturally is that all land available is given over to poppy, Here the shop tax has been remitted. Anti-opium medicines are freely distributed.
Shantung Province.
In the
Reports are most conflicting as to the general state of the movement. south cultivation of poppy is reduced 50 per cent., wheat being substituted owing to the uncertain status of opium, to the fact that it is an equally paying crop, and because of the greatly enhanced taxation of poppy land, Near China-fu, also, cultivation has been much reduced, No licences to smokers are issued, nor are restrictions placed upon the purchase of prepared opium.
Towards the close of 1907 an official Prepared-Opium Bureau was inaugurated at Chefoo, which was to control all opium importation, either native or foreign. The drug was to be stored in the godowns of the Bureau, who alone could give permission to remove it. This being in contravention of Article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858, protest was made by the Legation, with the result that the Rules were amended so as to exclude foreign opium. In March last the Bureau was closed, the trade being placed in the hands of thirty-nine merchants already established, who formed them- scives into an Association for the conduct of the entire trade. The profits of this Society have been considerably diminished by wholesale smuggling, and it in consequence endeavoured to increase these profits by adulteration of the drag on a large scale. Smuggling, indeed, is carried on so extensively as to render all measures of suppression derisory, while the innumerable illicit dens appear to afford ample accommodation for all requirements.
Kiangsu Province.
This province continues to be amongst those foremost in energy in combating the evil. The movement still continues to be a popular one, though less enthusiasm is shown, but the result has been to attach a stigma to opium smoking which it did not previously possess. At Shanghae genuine efforts continue to be made by the officials and gentry to break off the habit, while official action in keeping the dens closed is most satisfactory; persons attempting to reopen are severely dealt with, being imprisoned and their plant confiscated. The number of licensed shops, however, has increased and now reaches 300, which pay 40 cash for each ounce of opium sold, producing about 1,500 dollars a-month, which is said to more than compensate for losses entailed by the closing of dens.
The Anti-Opium Societies, which undertook to assist any one to break off smoking, have disappeared, while the missionary hospitals, which were full of patients in the earlier stages of the movement, now take in no more than before the opium question was raised. Nowhere is there registration of smokers, who can buy the drug at any time at any shop selling it.
The sale of anti-opium medicines continues unabated, showing there must still be many who desire to break off the habit,
The poppy is but slightly grown in the province, and there has consequently been but little difficulty in restricting cultivation.
At Chinkiang, in the British Concession, as already reported, all dens were closed, but licences for opium shops for 1908 were not withheld. They are revocable, with compensation, at any moment, and will not be renewed in 1909. The loss of the revenue to the municipality will be considerable.
At Soochow watch on the dens is less strict. At Nanking cultivation is considerably reduced. The dens remain closed, but there is no inspection or registra- tion of shops. At Kiangyin the dens are now reopened, nominally without the knowledge of the officials.
163
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