CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 17

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

15

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[30613]

No. 1.

July 19.]

SECTION 2,

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 19.)

(No. 282.)

Peking, July 4, 1912. Sir,

WITH reference to your despatch No. 151 of the 28th May last, I have the honour to refer you to my despatch No. 129 of the 18th March, which contains a translation of a presidential order, dated the 14th March, enjoining the continued enforcement in the strictest possible manner of the former restrictions ou the cultivation, transport, and consumption of opium, and to transmit to you herewith a translation of a further presidential order issued on the 11th ultimo, calling upon the tutus of the various provinces to clearly notify that, in the event of further surreptitious sowing of opium, stringent instructions will be issued to plough it up wherever found.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Extract from the "Guzette," June 14, 1912.

Presidential Order dated June 11, 1912.

THE prohibition of opium is an important measure designed to remove a great evil, and save the nation from destruction. Although special orders have been issued in the past to the authorities, both metropolitan and provincial, that the former regulations should continue to be enforced, it has reached my ears that since the outbreak of the revolution last year the restrictions have been relaxed throughout the provinces, and the ignorant peasantry, tempted by the prospect of quick returns, are Unless it be ruthlessly eradicated secretly planting the poppy in all directions. the vice will spread once more, then gone are our hopes for reform and for an end of the old infection. Let the tutus of the various provinces, irrespective of whether their jurisdictions have or have not been declared free from opium, be charged with the responsibility of clearly notifying that, in the event of surreptitious sowing of opium, stringent instructions will be issued to plough it up wherever found. All persons should exhort and warn one another, and refrain from breaking these restrictions so as not to lay up trouble for the future.

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