CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 169

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3. In view of the difficulty of ascertaining the amount of dues levied on native opium and its price, the proposal to double the duty on foreign opium shall be postponed for future discussion.

4. As regards the prohibition to export opium prepared in Hong Kong to China, it was arranged that each country should take steps within its own territory to prohibit the illicit importation of opium, and the export of Hong Kong prepared opium to China and of Chinese prepared opium to Hong Kong should be prohibited."

5. As regards the prohibition of opium dens and other places for the consumption of opium and sale of articles used in opium smoking within the foreign Settlements, it was agreed that if effective prohibitive measures were taken by the Chinese authorities outside any such Settlement the Municipal Council would take the necessary steps without waiting for a request from the Chinese authorities.

"6. The unrestricted import of morphia and of instruments for its injection should be prohibited as soon as all the Treaty Powers had signified their agreement."

The Board were informed in a note from His Majesty's Minister that the British Government had given their assent to the above arrangement.

As foreign opium is also imported from Annam and the islands of the Southern Seas, the Board also appealed to the French and Dutch Ministers for their assistance in prohibiting the trade, and as opium is also transhipped and prepared at Macao, a similar request was addressed to the Portuguese Minister. Persia being a non-Treaty Power, China can exercise her prerogative by forbidding the import of foreign opium from that country, and the Board have accordingly requested the Revenue Council to direct the Inspector-General of Customs to take the necessary steps.

With regard to the prohibition of the unrestricted import into China of morphia and of instruments for its injection, a Circular note was sent by the Board to all the foreign Representatives in Peking in April 1906, and replies have now been received, all, except the Japanese Minister, being in favour of our proposals,

The prohibition of opium is such a worthy undertaking that all countries are naturally in sympathy with it. As India is the place of origin of foreign opium, the Board entered into negotiations with His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and on the matter being referred to the British Government the latter agreed to do all in its power to assist us. In arranging that, from January 1908, the export of foreign opium from India should be annually decreased, the British Government gave a clear proof of their friendly feeling, and of their sincere desire to aid in the prohibition of opium. As, however, it has been laid down that the scheme shall be tried for three years, and shall only be continued on the expiration of that period if it is found that China has effectively decreased the cultivation and consumption of opium, it is absolutely necessary that drastic measures should be taken to decrease the cultivation of opium, and the opening of opium dens and sale of articles used in opium smoking should be strictly prohibited, in order that the consumption of the drug may be gradually decreased, and that we may preserve our reputation in the eyes of foreign nations.

As January 1908 (the 12th month of the 33rd year of Kuang Hsi) was the date fixed for putting the scheme in operation, the export of foreign opium from India is already being decreased. The short period of three years will soon pass by, and the British Government have made it known that the continuation of the scheme is contingent on China herself taking effective action. The opportunity must not be lost, and the matter does not admit of delay.

The Ministers of the Board pray that Imperial instructions be given to the Board of the Interior and Board of Revenue to prepare supervisory Regulations to be issued in all the provinces, and that the high provincial authorities be enjoined to do their utmost to put them in operation. Prefects, Sub-Prefects, Department and District Magistrates must not deal with this matter in a half-hearted and perfunctory manner, or regard it as a question of no importance, if this long-standing disease is to be cured, and the evils which it entails removed. If this can be effected the people of China will indeed have a chance of improvement, and we shall have shown ourselves worthy of the assistance given us by foreign Powers.

The Ministers of the Board of Foreign Affairs reverently submit this statement of the arrangements concluded with foreign Powers for the prohibition of opium to your Majesties, and ask for instructions.

On the 22nd March an Imperial Decree was issued.

Imperial Decree issued on March 24, 1908, in response to Memorials submitted by the Wai-wu Pu respecting the Arrangements concluded with Foreign Powers for the Abolition of Opium, and the means to be taken to raise Revenue to replace the Opium Tax.

(Translation.)

The increase in the use of opium has brought with it evil results of the most terrible nature. Those afflicted with the craving squander their property, shorten their lives, become dishonest and idle, and ruin their official careers. In provinces innumerable cases of suicide by taking opium occur every year; it is the cause of many crimes and lawsuits and tends to frustrate the benevolent designs of Providence. Not only are those results deplorable in themselves, but if our people daily grow more enfeebled in mind and body through the use of opium, what hope is there of China regaining her former strength?

Of late many of our people, of every rank in life, recognizing the magnitude of the evil, have vied with each other in forming Societies to discourage the use of opium, and even those long addicted to the habit have come to realize with sorrow the extent of the misfortunes which they have brought upon themselves. Many foreign philanthropists, also, have promoted public meetings with a view to securing the prohibition of the cultivation and sale of opium and have distributed remedies for the opium habit. Their action has been entirely prompted by a keen desire that the use of opium should be abolished in China, and how much greater should be the efforts of our own people, who are themselves suffering from its ravages, to eradicate the evil!

We have already directed by Imperial Decree that Regulations should be issued under which the use of opium, both foreign and native, should be totally suppressed within a period of ten years. The British Government have now agreed to effect an annual reduction in the amount of opium exported to China, and other friendly Powers are willing to assist. This enlightened policy on their part has deeply impressed us. Under the agreement with the British Government the reduction in the export is to be continued for three years, and if it is found on the expiration of this period that China has effectively decreased the cultivation and consumption of opium the policy of reducing the export will still be carried on. To allow these three years to slip by without taking measures for the abolition of the drug would be a poor return for the benevolent policy of a friendly Power, and a deep disappointment to philanthropists of all nations. Should this opportunity be lost for ever and the disease allowed to become incurable, it is impossible that China should ever be considered a great country, and we, with all the officers of our Government, could not but feel the deepest shame, recognizing that the responsibility therefore rested with us.

We therefore direct the Boards of the Interior and of Finance to lose no time in preparing supervisory Regulations and taking strict measures to insure their enforcement after our sanction has been received. We also direct the high provincial authorities to insure the effective performance by their subordinates of the measures submitted to us by the Government Council, and to prepare Memorials setting forth the measures which they propose to take in their respective jurisdictions to decrease the cultivation and consumption of opium. Let a general report of the reduction effected be made at the end of each year, and let the funds needed to take the place of the opium tax be raised by the Board of Finance. As this matter affects the strength of this country and the lives of the people, we enjoin upon all officials, both in the capital and the provinces, to perform their duties zealously. No matter how great the difficulties may be, they must strive to effect the total abolition of opium within the fixed period, and any procrastination on their part will meet with severe punishment.

Let the rest be as proposed.

APPENDIX (B).

Appointment of Imperial Commissioners for the Enforcement of the Prohibition of Opium.

(Translation.)

(Imperial Decree issued on April 7, 1908.)

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-President 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.

The Commissioners may also apply by Memorial for the examination of any high provincial official above the rank of Tautai against whom they have obtained reliable information Should it be proved on examination that an official has not been addicted to opium...

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