2
3
273
The
to protest against the import of opium from abroad, the proposal merely served to prove the complicity of the Government in the deal with the Combine. suggestion was accordingly dismissed amidst much uproar.
How far public opinion in a matter of this kind is likely to affect the Govern- ment is a question that is difficult to determine. The present Government is, if all indications are to be believed, on the point of falling: President Feng vacates office on the 10th of this month-in short, the probability is that the outgoing politicians have feathered their nests too comfortably and well to give up readily the vast profits falling to them through the opium deal,
On the other band, not even an outgoing Chinese Cabinet can afford to ignore two such formidable documents as the British and American notes of protest
I have, &rc.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.
J. N. JORDAN.
Sir,
September 28, 1918. I AM in receipt of a communication from His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated the 3rd August last, which states that His Majesty's Government have learnt, to their great surprise, that the Chinese Government have concluded an agreement with a combine of Shanghai opium merchants, in virtue of which they undertake to purchase all unsold stocks of Indian opium now held in bond at Shanghai and Canton, the intention being to re-sell the opium so purchased to a syndicate. In making this agreement, the Chinese Government have disregarded the fact that the 1911 Opium Agreement has terminated, while their policy is in direct contradiction with their previous action in issuing a Customs notification, in pursuance of an earlier compact with the Combine, whereby all ports of China were closed as from the 1st April, 1917, to all further opium, whether transferred from bond or imported directly from foreign countries.
I am directed to communicate the above to your Excellency, and at the same time to state that, if the information received by His Majesty's Government is correct, they must enter the most emphatic protest against any such transaction, which they cannot but regard both as a retrograde step on the part of your Excellency's Administration and as tantamount to a breach of faith with Great Britain.
His Majesty's Government further desire me to state that they take this opportunity to repudiate all connection with any negotiations which may have taken place between your Excellency's Government and the Opium Combine. They would warn the Chinese Government that, should the latter persist in carrying out the intentions which, as above stated, they are reported to hold, His Majesty's Govern- ment propose to publish this note both in China and in Great Britain, in order to clear themselves of all responsibility in the eyes of the Chinese people and of the world in general.
I avail, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
show people their true attitude regarding this vexed matter. Their telegram is to this effect:-
56
The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance, Peking.
Your telegram of the 10th noted. However, we find that the agreement of January 1917, for the purchase of opium, only permitted the manufacture of it into medicine, and there was no provision made with regard to issuing duty-stamps and transporting and selling it in its original state. Since the stock of opium was purchased at Shanghai, it ought to be manufactured into medicine at Shanghai. If the merchants are allowed to transport the original stuff to other parts, not only will there be no restrictions placed to their business, while abuses in many ways will surely arise, but also they may indulge in other kinds of profitable dealings in con- travention of the agreement, thereby giving rise to troubles and complications, and prejudicing the original plan of the Central Government to suppress opium. Recently, the gentry, merchants, scholars and others have all been opposing this step, scores of telegrams and letters having reached us every day. Their tone indicates that they are in earnest and they will take extreme action if driven to desperation. They have already declared that, irrespective of whatever kind of opium, they will, for the sake of preserving local peace and order, assemble together and jointly and publicly burn it upon its appearance in any interior town. This shows that the public opinion has reached a desperate point. During the present times of troubles, the public mind is very easily agitated. Should any serious disturbance result from such a matter, how could we uphold our dignity and prestige and safeguard the public welfare in future? In view of the present condition, we will truly not venture to carry out your instructions so recklessly. We would suggest that the Ministers should devise other methods which we could obediently execute.
"
In extreme earnest,
"LI SHUN, CHI YAO-LING."
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the “ North China Herald of September 28, 1918.
THE OPIUM DEAL.
IN spite of the strong protest from all classes of people against the projected sale of the purchased opium, the Government has nevertheless tried to force the opium upon the public by ordering the Governors of the provinces, including Kiangsu, to give protection to the opium farmers within their jurisdiction. Fortunately, the high authorities in our province are conscientious officials who know their duties well. The Military and Civil Governors have jointly addressed a telegram to Peking, in reply to one they have received, the contents of which will
*
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.