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admiration the self-denying part which Great Britain had taken in that work, and the untiring energy with which the suppression of cultivation and import had been pursued by both parties to the Agreement of 1911. For his part, he had no intention of allowing the fruits of the past years to be sacrificed if any solution could be found.
His Excellency stated that he had already given orders for the stoppage of further sales at Shanghai, and that he was ready to consider with me the question of the disposal of the opium. His one wish would be to burn it publicly, but he pointed out that that step would be most embarrassing in the present fiscal state of China. The bonds had actually been made over to the merchants, and matters had gone so far that cancellation of the agreement would involve great practical difficulties.
I then told his Excellency that, in order to relieve China of the financial burden and ensure a clean and honourable end to the opium question, we should be prepared to take over the opium at 3,000 rupees a chest and remove it out of China. He expressed warm appreciation of the offer, but repeated that the huge financial obligations into which the previous administration had entered with the Combine were extremely embarrassing. He promised, however, to consider the whole question, and in the meanwhile he agreed, at my request, to instruct the foreign Customs to resume control of the stocks, and to prevent their removal from the godowns in which they were stored.
On the following day I received a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, of which I have the honour to enclose a copy, informing me that the President had issued an Order strictly forbidding the sale of opium, and that it had been decided to fix a date on which the remaining stock of 1,200 chests would be destroyed in the presence of Chinese and foreign officials and gentry.
Should this decision be carried into effect the Chinese Government will sacrifice stocks for which it has issued bonds of the value of some 5,000,000 taels, of 1,250,000Z. at current rates and which, if sold at the rate of 16,000 taels a chest, would have realised 4,800,000l. The former som represents the balance between the face value of the bonds issued and the amount already realised for stocks which have been sold since the purchase of the opium from the Combine.
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I can express no opinion as to the ultimate fate of the bonds. Their market value is now quoted at 36 per cent., but their redemption will no doubt present difficulties if the Chinese Government pursues to a conclusion the dramatic destruction of its last holdings of foreign opium.
I have the honour to enclose copies of two Presidential mandates announcing the decision of the Government to destroy the stocks, and exhorting the people to afford loyal co-operation in bringing to a conclusion the cultivation and consumption of opium in China.
(Copy to India.)
(Translation.) Sir,
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan (apparently identic.)
November 19, 1918.
I HAVE the honour to address your Excellency ou the subject of the purchase of the surplus stocks of opium at Shanghai.
As the time appointed for the complete suppression of opium in China had already elapsed, but large quantities of drug still remained in the Customs bonded godowns at Shanghai the Chinese Government, with a view to safe-guarding the interests of the foreign merchants, concluded an agreement with the latter for the purchase of these surplus stocks, intending to use them in the manufacture of medicine. This transaction subsequently became the object of protests from Chinese merchants and citizens; remonstrances were also received from several friendly Powers. His Excellency, the President, resolved that the eradication of the evil must be fully carried out, accordingly issued an order strictly forbidding the sale of the opium. The Cabinet Council, likewise animated by this desire, has to-day decided to fix a date on which the 1,200 odd chests of opium remaining above the 300 chests already sold will be destroyed in the presence of Chinese and foreign officials and geutry who will be able to see that the whole quantity is disposed of
The Government is taking this bold course and cheerfully facing a sacrifice of an immense sum of money in order to dispel the doubts and fears which have been
3
entertained in China and abroad, and I do not doubt that the news will be received with great satisfaction by all countries bound to us by ties of friendship. I avail, &c. (For Minister for Foreign Affairs.)
CH EN LU.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Presidential Mandate ordering Destruction of Purchased Opium. THE recent purchase of the opium stock by the Government was mainly for the purpose of manufacturing it into medicine relieving the difficulties of the merchants. Although careful considerations have been made and strict restrictions are being enforced regarding its consumption, it is feared that the existence of this root of evil will more or less affect the anti-opium policy. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance are hereby ordered to ascertain the exact quantity of the stock. With the exception of what has been released to the contractors for sale the remaining stock shall be taken back by delegates specially despatched by the said Ministries and stored at the Maritime Customs to be burnt and destroyed at a fixed date. The burning and destroying of this stock shall be supervised by the said special delegates jointly with the local authorities and the Commissioners of Customs, &c., so that the matter may be dealt with carefully.
December 4, 1918.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Presidential Mandate.
THE evil effects of opium are very great. Several mandates have been promul- gated in the past, and strict regulations enforced for the suppression of the drug. These have been vigorously carried out in the provinces, and good results have been produced. Nevertheless, in trying to remove a social evil serious difficulties are often experienced, the slightest neglect in carrying out the prohibition orders always encourages the foolish people to return to evil practices again. Hence there is danger wherever the investigation is relaxed. In out present anti-opium campaign we are glad to observe that the whole nation has shown great perseverance, and our friendly nations have lent us their help most enthusiastically. If, in spite of this, the Government's order is secretly ignored, how can we hope to reform our internal administration and maintain our national prestige? Now we are making efforts to reorganise our administration, and it is sincerely hoped that all evil practices will be stamped out so that we may enter a new life. By mandate issued lately all the opium stock recently purchased will be burnt and destroyed at Shanghai. As the Govern ment does not regret the throwing away of a large sum of money in this way its sincerity and vigorous efforts in carrying out the anti-opium policy should be evident to all. Hereafter all citizens of the Republic should understand that the evil of opium affects the whole nation, and none should attempt to disobey the Government's orders. All those who used to smoke opium in the past and have since rid themselves of the habit should make up their minds to be free from the evil forever. Secret plantation, transportation, and sale of opium are in violation of the orders for the suppression of the drug. Everyone should respect the laws of the country, so that he may not throw himself into misery. All the local officials who are responsible for the enforce ment of the Government's orders should instruct their subordinates to make inves- tigations and bring all those who violate the law to justice, Any official who fails to do his duty in enforcing the anti-opium measures shall be reported to his superior from time to time, and severely punished in accordance with law. I, the President, always have the welfare of the people at heart, so I do not find it tedious to give exhortations again. The ancient sages say "In stamping out any evil the root must be eradicated"; and "a man should rid himself of all his evil habits in order that he might enter a new life." All the people in the country should try their best to improve themselves.
December 5, 1918.
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