CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 254

and the Japanese Government, in their memorandum of the 14th July, 1920, to Lord Curzon, merely denied in vague terms that any abuses had ever taken place in

this connection.

The official import of opium into Tsingtao in recent years for consumption in the leased territory is shown by the Chinese Maritime Customs figures to have been as follows:-

HONG KONG

8853

C O

8853

23 B21

German régime-

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

Japanese régime—

1915 (September to December)

9.06

1916

117.13

1917

45'63

1918

55.00

1919

7:50

252

Piculs,

42:00

23.97

13-20

0:25

16:31

10:44

1921

linders Concession in China.

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It will be seen that the official import increased considerably under the Japanese régime, and a considerable proportion of the official imports must undoubtedly eventually have been smuggled into the interior of China. Furthermore, as has bee shown in previous reports from this vice-consulate, large quantities of the drug have been imported by the Japanese Government monopoly without coming to the cognisance of the Chinese Maritime Customs.

The total opium imported has undoubtedly greatly exceeded the legitimate requirements of the 100,000 odd inhabitants of the leased territory.

The abolition of the monopoly in Tsingtao will not only close this loophole for the entry of the drug into the interior of China, but will also greatly facilitate the work of the Chinese Maritime Customs in preventing illicit smuggling. This work has hitherto been greatly hampered by the refusal of the Administration to allow the Chines Maritime Customs access to the details of cousumption in the leased territory (as was done during the German régime), and also by the protection afforded by the Japanes. police, harbour and railway authorities to persons smuggling the monopoly's opium into the interior by rail or sea.

The abolition of the monopoly will mean a serious loss of revenue to the Tsingtao Administration, and will doubtless curtail the town improvement schemes ou which this revenue has largely been spent.

It is commonly reported that the monopoly has at present a stock of 200 or 300 chests of opium in Tsingtao, which can hardly be consumed before the end of March next, when the monopoly is to be abolished. The International Anti-Opium Society will doubtless endeavour to ascertain through their own channels of information what stocks in fact exist at present and what methods are eventually adopted for their disposal.

(Under dying seal to His Majesty's consul-general, Tsinan.)

I have, &c.

ALLAN ARCHER.

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R&B

tsubacquent Paper.

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