4
poppy cultivation in China. The difficulty of ascertaining the dues levied on native opium and its price have necessitated the postponement of the question of the increase of the import duty on foreign opium desired by the Chinese Government.
In regard to the trade in prepared opium between China and Hong Kong, it was decided that each country should take steps to prevent smuggling into its own territory, and that the trade in prepared opium should be prohibited. The Chinese Government have issued the necessary instructions in the matter, and the Government of Hong Kong are now preparing the legislation required for the purpose.
In regard to the suppression of opium in foreign Concessions, no dens exist in any British Concession, and the few opium shops which still exist in the British Concession at Chinkiang have only received their licences for this year; they will not be renewed, and are revocable with compensation at any moment.
At Shanghae the question of the opium dens in the International Settlement has been at last settled, and both the Viceroy and the Shanghae Missionary Association have expressed their satisfaction with the solution. They are to be reduced by a quarter, commencing from the 1st July, 1908, this being part of a programme of periodical reductions which will extend over a term of two years, or possibly less.
The morphia question still remains in statu quo, all the Powers having agreed to the prohibition of importation into China of morphia and instruments for injection with the exception of Japan. The sympathy of Great Britain with China in the anti-opium crusade, and her anxiety not to be behindhand in the movement, has recently been manifested by the decision of the Home Government to abolish opium in all forms in Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, and presumably Wei-hai Wei.
The Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question in the Far East proposed by the United States is to meet at Shanghae on the 1st January, 1909, all the Powers concerned having agreed to an investigation, namely, Great Britain, China, France, United States, Japan, Holland, Portugal, and Germany. The idea of the Government of the United States is that the Commission of each Government should proceed independently and immediately with the investigation of the question on behalf of its respective country with the following objects in view:--
1. To devise means to limit the use of opium in the possessions of that country.
2. To ascertain the best means of suppressing the opium traffic, if such now exists, among the nationals of that Government in the Far East.
3. To be in a position so that when the Commission meets in Shanghae the Representatives of the various Powers may be prepared to co-operate and to offer, jointly or severally, definite suggestions of measures which their respective Governments may adopt, looking to the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions, thus assisting China in her purpose of eradicating the evil in the Empire.
The manner in which the investigation is to be conducted will be decided upon by the Commissioners after they shall have met, 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.
As far as Great Britain and China are concerned, the measures decided upon by them, and already in operation, have anticipated the proposals contemplated in No. 1 and No. 2. Indeed, such general progress has been made by these two countries in combating the evil since the opening of the anti-opium campaign that, beyond the moral approval and encouragement which the assembling of the Commission will no doubt impart, it is difficult to see what useful purpose it can now serve.
It may be of interest to explain the position in regard to opium in which the countries who are to be represented on the Commission now stand.
France.
The following particulars are derived from a long and interesting Report on the opium question recently presented to the Governor of French Indo-China by a Commission presided over by M. Hardouin:--
In September 1900 the Chinese Minister in Paris approached the French Government on the opium question in French Indo-China, requesting the co-operation of the French Government in the project of reform. Similar appeals were made to other Powers interested in the question. China desired the closing of dens in the French Concessions in China, to raise the import duty on imported opium, the prohibition of the sale of opium utensils, and of the importation of morphia and instruments for injection.
In reply the French Government expressed the opinion that the gradual suppression of opium appeared to them an excellent measure, and that, although the poppy was not cultivated in French Colonies, they were ready to assist China in the proposed reform. France agreed to the proposed increase of the duty on foreign opium, subject to the assent of the other Powers, as also the prohibition of importation of morphia and injecting instruments and the regulation of the use of opium in French Concessions, subject to the enforcement of similar measures in other Concessions. The eventual increase of the duty on the export of opium from Yunnan, fixed by the Convention of the 24th June, 1887, was reserved for future agreement between the two Governments.
Poppy cultivation not being permitted, the French Colonies are dependent on foreign opium for their requirements, the supply formerly coming almost entirely from the south-west provinces of China, notably Yünnan. The steps taken by the French colonial authorities to reduce the importation of Chinese opium have resulted in a diminution of importation from 4,730 piculs in 1906 to 638 piculs in 1907, though no doubt large quantities are still smuggled across the extensive Yünnan frontier. The amount consumed shows a steady decrease from 120,411 kilog. (270,959 lbs.) in 1904 to 93,083 kilog. (209,437 lbs.) in 1907. Over half of this quantity is consumed in Cochin-China, the remainder in Cambodia, Tonquin, Annam, and Laos. The part consumed by Europeans is insignificant, while the native smokers are restricted principally to the agricultural classes.
The course suggested to the Governor by the Commissioners as most suited to the requirements of the case is as follows:----
1. To raise the price of prepared opium.
2. To prohibit the sale of dross.
3. To limit the sale of opium in shops.
4. Gradually to close public smoking resorts, commencing by those in the less important centres.
The Commissioners further advised that steps should be taken to bring the pernicious effects of the opium habit to the knowledge of the people, and that smokers should in future be excluded from public offices.
Opium is a Government monopoly and the source of considerable revenue. Between the years 1904 and 1907, inclusive, the average gross revenue from this source amounted to 672,400l., which, after deducting the expenses of collecting, left 420,400l.
The Commissioners suggested the following procedure with a view to supplementing the reduced revenue:----
1. To raise the customs duty on certain articles imported from the Far East, chiefly used by Chinese.
2. To raise the consumption tax on tobacco and mineral oils.
3. The creation of a Government lottery in the style of those existing in certain European countries.
Germany.
The interests of Germany in the question would appear to be of an academic nature, and her inclusion in the Commission is doubtless due to her position as a great nation in temporary occupation of Kiauchow.
Holland.
Opium is a Government monopoly in the Dutch islands, sometimes administered directly by the official authorities, and sometimes sublet. Poppy cultivation has been prohibited since 1872. The action which will be taken in the Dutch colonial possessions will, it is said, shortly form the subject of discussion in the Parliament at The Hague, while the chief difficulty to be overcome in the matter is the revenue question.
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4
poppy cultivation in China. The difficulty of ascertaining the dues levied on native opium and its price have necessitated the postponement of the question of the increase of the import duty on foreign opium desired by the Chinese Government.
In regard to the trade in prepared opium between China and Hong Kong, it was decided that each country should take steps to prevent smuggling into its own territory, and that the trade in prepared opium should be prohibited. The Chinese Government have issued the necessary instructions in the matter, and the Government of Hong Kong are now preparing the legislation required for the
purpose.
In regard to the suppression of opium in foreign Concessions, no dens exist in any British Concession, and the few opium shops which still exist in the British Concession at Chinkiang have only received their licences for this year; they will not be renewed, and are revocable with compensation at any moment.
At Shanghae the question of the opium dens in the International Settlement has been at last settled, and both the Viceroy and the Shanghae Missionary Association have expressed their satisfaction with the solution. They are to be reduced by a quarter, commencing from the 1st July, 1908, this being part of a programme of periodical reductions which will extend over a term of two years, or possibly less.
The morphia question still remains in statu quo, all the Powers having agreed to the prohibition of importation into China of morphia and instruments for injection with the exception of Japan. The sympathy of Great Britain with China in the anti-opium crusade, and her anxiety not to be behindhand in the move- ment, has recently been manifested by the decision of the Home Government to abolish opium in all forms in Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, and presumably Wei-hai Wei.
The Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question in the Far East proposed by the United States is to meet at Shanghae on the 1st January, 1909, all the Powers concerned having agreed to an investigation, namely, Great Britain, China, France, United States, Japan, Holland, Portugal, and Germany. The idea of the Government of the United States is that the Commission of cach Government should proceed independently and immediately with the investigation of the question on behalf of its respective country with the following objects in view :--
1. To devise means to limit the use of opium in the possessions of that country. 2. To ascertain the best means of suppressing the opium traffic, if such now
now exists, among the nationals of that Government in the Far East.
3. To be in a position so that when the Commission meets in Shanghae the Representatives of the various Powers may be prepared to co-operate and to offer, jointly or severally, definite suggestions of measures which their respective Govern- ments may adopt, looking to the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions, thus assisting China in her purpose of eradicating the evil in the Empire.
The manner in which the investigation is to be conducted will be decided upon by the Commissioners after they shall have met, 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.
As far as Great Britain and China are concerned, the measures decided upon by them, and already in operation, have anticipated the proposals contemplated in No. 1 and No. 2. Indeed, such general progress has been made by these two countries in combating the evil since the opening of the anti-opium campaign that, beyond the moral approval and encouragement which the assembling of the Commission will no
It doubt impart, it is difficult to see what useful purpose it can now serve.
be of interest to explain the position in regard to opium in which the countries who are to be represented on the Commission now stand.
France.
may
The following particulars are derived from a long and interesting Report on the opium question recently presented to the Governor of French Indo-China by a Commission presided over by M. Hardouin :--
In September 1900 the Chinese Minister in Paris approached the French Government on the opium question in French Indo-China, requesting the co-operation
of the French Government in the project of reform. Similar appeals were made to other Powers interested in the question. China desired the closing of dens in the French Concessions in China, to raise the import duty on imported opium, the prohibition of the sale of opium utensils, and of the importation of morphia and instruments for injection.
In reply the French Government expressed the opinion that the gradual suppression of opium appeared to them an excellent measure, and that, although the poppy was not cultivated in French Colonies, they were ready to assist China in the proposed reform. France agreed to the proposed increase of the duty on foreign opium, subject to the assent of the other Powers, as also the prohibition of importation of morphia and injecting instruments and the regulation of the use of opium in French Concessions, subject to the enforcement of similar measures in other Con- cessions. The eventual increase of the duty on the export of opium from Yunnan, fixed by the Convention of the 24th June, 1887, was reserved for future agreement between the two Governments.
Poppy cultivation not being permitted, the French Colonies are dependent on foreign opium for their requirements, the supply formerly coming almost entirely fron the south-west provinces of China, notably Yünnan. The steps taken by the French colonial authorities to reduce the importation of Chinese opium have resulted in a diminution of importation from 4,730 piculs in 1906 to 638 piculs in 1907, though no doubt large quantities are still smuggled across the extensive Yünnan frontier. The amount consumed shows a steady decrease from 120,411 kilog. (270,959 lbs.) in 1904 to 93,083 kilog. (209,437 lbs.) in 1907. Over half of this quantity is consumed in Cochin-China, the remainder in Cambodia, Tonquin, Annam, and Laos. The part consumed by Europeans is insignificant, while the native smokers are restricted princi- pally to the agricultural classes.
The course suggested to the Governor by the Commissioners as most suited to the requirements of the case is as follows:----
1. To raise the price of prepared opium.
2. To prohibit the sale of dross.
3. To limit the sale of opium in shops.
4. Gradually to close public smoking resorts, commencing by those in the less important centres.
The Commissioners further advised that steps should be taken to bring the pernicious effects of the opium habit to the knowledge of the people, and that smokers should in future be excluded from public offices.
Opium is a Government monopoly and the source of considerable revenue. Between the years 1904 and 1907, inclusive, the average gross revenue from this source amounted to 672,400, which, after deducting the expenses of collecting, left 420,4007.
The Commissioners suggested the following procedure with a view to supple- menting the reduced revenue:----
1. To raise the customs duty on certain articles imported from the Far East, chiefly used by Chinese.
2. To raise the consumption tax on tobacco and mineral oils.
3. The creation of a Government lottery in the style of those existing in certain European countries.
Germany.
The interests of Germany in the question would appear to be of an academic nature, and her inclusion in the Commission is doubtless due to her position as a great nation in temporary occupation of Kiauchow.
Holland.
Opium is a Government monopoly in the Dutch islands, sometimes administered directly by the official authorities, and sometimes sublet. Poppy cultivation has been prohibited since 1872. The action which will be taken in the Dutch colonial posses- sions will, it is said, shortly form the subject of discussion in the Parliament at The Hague, while the chief difficulty to be overcome in the matter is the revenue question.
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