CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 596

{This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

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OPIUM.

REC

&

CONFIDENTIAL.

REGO 16 JUN 11

[May 26.]

SECTION 4.

[20178]

(No. 198.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 26.)

WITH reference to Sir A. Hosie's report of the 15th April, on the cultivation of

Peking, May 8, 1911. the poppy and the production of opium in the province of Yunnan, I have the honour to transmit herewith the copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Yunnan-fu, covering a proclamation issued by the Viceroy on the 11th April in virtue of which four months are allowed for exporting to Tonquin the stocks remaining in the province.

Enclosure I in No. 1.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

(No. 21.) Sir,

Consul-General O'Brien-Butler to Sir J. Jordan.

Yunnan-fu, April 15th, 1911.

IN continuation of my despatch No. 18 of the 31st March, with regard to the present opium conditions in this province, I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a proclamation, issued by the Viceroy on the 11th instant, granting a period of four months for the export of old stocks of opium to Tonquin via Meugtsz.

The Régie in Tonquin has always been hampered by the prohibition of opium, as it was dependent on Yünnan for its supply. Last year M. Wilden, the delegate of the French Foreign Office in Yünnan-fu, approached the Viceroy with a view to an agree- ment allowing the old stocks of ophun in the province to be exported to Tonquin. The Viceroy informed him that the time was unfavourable for such an arrangement, as the people might easily misunderstand the meaning of this relaxation on his part, but that he would consider the matter after the time for the planting of the poppy this year had elapsed.

The result of these deliberations is the proclamation enclosed.

I have, &c.

P. E. O'BRIEN-BUTLER.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

Translation.)

Proclamation issued by the Viceroy on April 11, 1911.

WHEREAS it is now three years since opium was prohibited, yet there is still a large illegal trade in the article and much secret smoking of the drug. From time to time seizures are made, thus proving that there still remain stores of opium among the people. If the law were strictly adhered to, these stocks of opium should be seized and confiscated and the offenders punished. But the Viceroy, ever solicitous for his people, is of opinion that the original time-limit is too short for the suppression of opium, and that there is some excuse for people fearing to produce their stocks after the expiry of the time. Therefore, instructions have been sent by telegraph that all stocks of opium be examined, and that an extension of four months be granted. You people, permission is given you to produce your stocks of opium and send them to Mengtsz, according to the regulations here appended. Take heed to these rules, and proceed forthwith to the nearest li-kin station, pay the duty, aud send your opium to Mengtsz.

As the cultivation of the poppy is a thing of the past, and as in future there will be no hidden stores of opium (the same stringent rules apply in every province), it follows that opium will be entirely abolished. If after this respite of four mouths any person is found with a stock of opium, or is accused by his neighbours, the Viceroy will punish him severely and reward the informer, and no mercy shall be

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