CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910 — Page 198

35342

RECE REGE18 NOV 10

192

SUGGESTIONS FOR A POSSIBLE IMMEDIATE TERMINATION

OF THE INDO-CHINESE OPIUM TRAFFIC.

I. The purchase by Great Britain of the whole stock of Bengal opiom

(including the poppy crop, if sown), and its destruction.

"It is the only logical conclusion flowing from the decision of the 6th of May (1908), and it is the only worthy one."---Editor of Medical Missions," and Chairman of the London Board of Anti-Opium Societies.

How Inspiring is the thought of such a thing or its equivalent! How it would stir the people of China and the whole Eastern world! Joy bells would ring round the earth!--Editor of "National Righteousness."

2. China to be set free at once to prohibit the import of Indian opium. We feel that there is a moral obligation upon Great Britalu to leave China entirely free with regard to the importation of opium"--Memorial to Sir Edward Grey from Rev. Dr. Caldecott, LL.D., of London University, and 25 other Professore of Ethics.

3. The remission to China of the unpaid balance of the Pekin indemnity (nearly 7 millions sterling) as an act of reparation for past wrong; or, if she refuse it, the ear marking of this sum towards the cost of purchase of Bengal opium.

If we went beyond the immediate abandonment of the oplum revenue, and reduced the amount of the indenuity yel payable by China to this country, it would he an act of kindness to China thar would bring an abundant reward.-Editor of "National Righteousness."

4. Immediate re-examination of the question of non medical use of opium in India, and its injuriousness or otherwise, by a scientific impartial enquiry, and consequent future regulation or prohibition in accordance therewith.

Resolutions 3 and 6 of the Shanghai International Commission have already morally pledged Great Britain to such two-fold action.

5. Fending the verdict of such enquiry, the present, stock of Malwa opium to be allowed to supply demand in India and Crown Colonies. Poppy growth in Native States to be prohibited, or a time limit given for future production. Present prohibition of unlicensed poppy growth in British India to remain, and no future licenses issued, except for production of opium for medical purposes.

"The tone moral wrong, if wrong there be, consists in selling opium to the Chinese, and the only way to abate it would be to absolutely prohibit the cultivation of the poppy in British India, and to prevent the exportation of opium from the Native States. The British Government is sufficiently despotic to efect this, and for suoral purposes there is no distinction between what a despotic Government does itself and what it permiis its subjects to do."-The late Sir Henry Maine (formierty Lieut-Governor of Bengaly RC, p. 87. Q, 475.

6.

All monies derived henceforward from opium by the Indian Govern- ment to form an Imperial Extinction Fund for the suppression, as rapidly as possible, of the opium trade and habit beneath our fing in the East.

For this the US A. has given us a precedent in her treatment of the question in the Philippines, where, during the measures leading to suppression, all monies derived from a Government monopoly of opium (enforced to obtain suppression) were devoted to preventive and educational measures against opium.

7. The sum necessary to tide the Indian Government over an immediate loss of all her opium revenue (excise included) to be voted by Great Britain as an Imperial Memorial to Victoria the Good and Edward the Peacemaker,

in which Memorial the Colonial Governments be invited to join.

What nobler Imperial Mentorial could be possible to the noblest woman that ever sat on a throne than thus to wipe out at one stroke the one great blot upon her glorious regn? On November 1st, 1858, India passed from the East India Company to the British Crown. Seven days later Indian opinu was legalized in China,

Alas! alas both in China and India the British Throne has been held responsible for the paicy of the British people. We can for ever remove that unjust reproach

What more Hitting monument to the memory of our Royal Peacemaker than such a glorious triumph over years of wrong! "I know of no nobler use of wealth than its expenditure for the benefit of those who are to follow as."-Our late King, in a speech at Ring's Lynn, November 5th, 1906.

1.

2.

3.

The purchase price would be included in the sum voted as

a grant in aid. (7). The destruction of this large stock finds & suggestive precedent in the action of Commissioner Lin in 1839; and will remove at once a serious difficulty, viz: the

The presence of so much opium, which else must find a market. Bengal cultivator now finds that "any crop pays better than the poppy". This is acknowledged in the annual report of the Bengal Opium Department for 1907-8. (See "Black Opium".p.118).

China is by Treaty with Great Britain precluded from availing herself of the right recognized by Resolution 4. of the Shanghai International Commission.

The remission of this debt to China would be but just

It could be made a powerful moral reparation for past wrong. and financial stimulus to China to complete the suppression of her poppy growth with all possible speed, by (1) remitting to her at once the payment of the 4% annual interest which she is now paying, and (ii) promising to remit the capital sum as soon as she can show the total abolition of poppy growth throughout China.