CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 375

THE TIMES, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1909.

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the Chinese, asking that, in recognition of the jefforts which China was making, the delegates should urge their Governments to promise their co-operation and announce their readiness to reduce the exportation of opium to China: pari passu with the reduction of the cultiva- į tion of the poppy in China, was withdrawn.

THE OPIUM COMMISSION. SUMMARY OF THE RESOLUTIONS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SHANGHAI, FEB. 25. The International Opium Commission to-day i China will, presumably, at an early date, practically finished its labours, although some approach the British Government with a view reports from the sub-committees are still to the revision of the existing agreement re- required in order to make the proceedings garding the reduction of the export of opia from India, and will endeavour to have the complete. Many delegates, including the

reduction increased, with special reference to the British, are preparing to leave on Sunday.export of opium from India to China. China Sir Clementi Smith returns via Peking and having by the terms of the agreement a right Siberia.

to station an official in Calcutta to report upon the opium reduction, presumably the Govern ment of India will now require a right to delegate officers to inspect the actual condition of the reduction of poppy cultivation in China.

The following is a careful précis of the resolu- tions adopted :--

1. The Commission recognizes the unswerving

sincerity of the Government of China in its efforts to eradicate the production and consumption of opium throughout the Empire, the increasing body of public opinion among the Chinese by whom these efforts are supported, and the real, though unequal, progress already made in a task of the greatest magnitude.

2. The Commission finds that the unrestricted manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphine already constitute a grave danger, and that the morphine habit shows signs of spreading; and it desires to urge strongly upon all Governments the high importance of taking drastic measures to cou- trol the manufacture, sale, and distribution of this drog and of other noxious derivatives of opium.

3. The Commission, deeming an investigation from the scientifle standpoint of anti-opium remedies and of the properties and effects of opium and its derivatives to be of the highest importance, desires that each delegation shall recommend this branch of the subject to its own Government for such action as it may think necessary.

4. The Commission finds that, inasmuch as each Government has strict laws devised to prevent the muggling of opium and its derivatives, all countries should adopt reasor le measures to pre- I vent at the ports of departure the shipment of any opium, or its alkaloids, derivatives, or preparations, to any country which prohibits their entry.

6. The Commission recommends, in view of the action taken by the Chinese and other Governments to suppress opium-smoking, that each delegation move its own Government to take measures for the gradual suppression of opium-smoking in its own territories and possessions, with due regard to the varying circumstances of each country con- cerned.

6. The Commission finds that the use of opium in any form, otherwise than for medical purposes, is held in nearly every country to be a matter for pro- hibition or careful regulation. It recognizes wide variations between the conditions prevailing in different countries, but would urge upon the different › Governments concerned the desirability of a re- examination of their systems of regulation in the light of the expericace of other countries.

7. The Commission strongly urges all Govern- mente possessing concessions or settlements in China who have not yet taken effective action towards the ! closing of opium divans in the said concessions and settlements to take steps to that end as soon as possible on the lines already adopted by several Governments.

8. The Commission strongly recommends the respective Governments to enter into negotiations with the Chinese Government to ensure the adoption of effective and prompt measures in foreign con- cessions and settlements in China to prohibit the trade in, and the manufacture of, anti-opium medicines containing oplura or its derivatives.

9. The Commission recommends each Government to apply its pharmacy laws to its subjects in the Consular districts, concessions, and settlements in China.

The first three resolutions were submitted by the British delegation; the fourth and ninth by the Americans: the fifth and sixth by the British and Americans conjointly; and the seventh and eighth by the Chinese after amendment by the French. A resolu- tion proposed by the British delegation ex- pressing tho regret of the Commission at China's inability to produce trustworthy! statistical evidence was withdrawn, the Chinese delegation undertaking to bring to the notice of their Government this expression of dis- satisfaction. Another resolution submitted by

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