[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(April 12.]
SECTION 4.
[F 1307/100/10]
(No. 113.)
No. 1.
Sir B. Alston to Earl Curzon.-(Received April 12.)
HIS Majesty's Minister, Peking, presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and transmits herewith a copy of despatch No. 10 from His Majesty's vice-consul at Tsingtao, dated the 15th February, respecting the issue of regulations for the control of opium in the Kiaochow leased territory by the Commander-in-chief of the Tsingtao garrison.
Peking, February 26, 1921.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
(No. 10.) Sir,
Vice-Consul Archer to Sir B. Alston.
Tsingtan, February 15, 1921. WITH reference to your despatches No. 45 of the 22nd December, 1920, and No. 4 of the 19th January, 1921, covering Tokyo despatch No. 622 to the Foreign Office of the 29th December, 1920, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation of an ordinance (No. 6) issued on the 29th January, 1921, by the Commander-in-chief of the Tsingtao garrison promulgating regulations for the control of the import, sale and smoking of opium in the Kiaochow leased territory.
Prior to the issue of the present ordinance no specific regulations governing import and consumption of opium had been issued by the Japanese military administration of the Kiaochow leased territory, but a ger aral order was issued by the Commander-in- chief of the Japanese forces on the 9th November, 1914, the date of the capture of Tsingtao, stating that all laws and regulations made by the German colonial administra- tion would continue in force, except in so far as these might be inconsistent with military requirements. I am informed by the local authorities that under this general order the ordinance regarding opium of the 16th February, 1912, theoretically continued in force, but has in fact not been strictly observed. Translation of this German ordinance is enclosed herewith for purposes of comparison with the new regulations now issued.
Under the German regulations the control of the import of opium into the leased territory was specifically entrusted to the Chinese maritime customs. Opium might only be imported in the raw state, in the original packing, and in quantities of not less than one case, and all opium entering either by land or sea had immediately to be reported to the customs. After payment of duty the drug was stamped by the customs authorities, kept in a customs warehouse, and issued by the customs to authorised dealers. The customs had to keep a careful record of imports and issues, and (although the regulations do not so provide) the customs authorities were allowed access to the figures kept by the German colonial authorities in regard to manufacture, sale and consumption of opium in the leased territory, in order to assist them in their work of controlling illicit smuggling into or out of the territory. In this manner the Chinese Government participated through their customs officials in the control of the opium trade, and the prevention of smuggling into the interior was greatly facilitated. After issue to authorised dealers the raw drug was prepared under German official supervision and sold in special boxes to persons holding licences; the quantity and date was recorded on the licence, and the boxes had to be returned when empty. A fee of 1 dollar per month, payable quarterly in advance, was charged for a smoking licence. Smoking was only allowed in private houses, all public opium dens having been closed on the 31st December, 1911, by an order issued on the 12th May, 1911. The issue of smoking licences was not limited, except that they were not issued to persons under
years of age.
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The new Japanese regulations provide that the Government (by which is mear! the authorities of the Japanese military administration) shall control the impo
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