Correspondence respecting the opium question in China.

Date:
[1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Correspondence respecting the opium question in China. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/58 (page 12)
    instructing him, in the event only of his being approached by the local authorities, to give them the assurance that he is ready to take measures for the closing of opium shops in the Concession similar to those that may be put into practice by them outside. For the rest, he need not initiate any action until the receipt of further instructions. I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN. Inclosure 1 in No. 10. Acting Consul Tours to Sir J. Jordan. Sir, Chinkiang, January 24, 1907. IN view of your Circular of the Ist December last, I have the honour to inquire what attitude this Consulate should assume towards opium shops existing within the: British Concession. I have permitted the Meeting of Landrenters to renew the opium-shop licences for the year 1907, but I informed the Meeting that permission was entirely conditional upon any attitude [ may be called upon to take up as a result of the recent Regulations. against opium. I have, &e. (Signed) B. G. TOURa: Inclosure 2 in No. 10. Sir J. Jordan to Acting Consul Tours. Sir, Peking, Fedruary 6, 1907. I HAVE received your despatch of the 24th ultimo, inquirmg what attitude yow should observe towards opium shops existing within the British Concession. In reply, I have to inform you that, in a Memorandum handed to me by the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu on the 29th November last, His Majesty’s Government were requested, among other things, to take the lead in giving the necessary instruc- tions that in all foreign Settlements and Concessions the measures for the inspection and prohibition of opium shops and dens shall be similar to those adopted by the Chinese authorities. The Memorandum contained various other proposals, all of which I have commu- nicated for the consideration of His Majesty’s Government, from whom I am as yet without instructions. As soon as I am definitely informed by Sir Edward Grey of the attitude I should adopt in regard to the proposals of the Wai-wu Pu, I will issue circular instructions to His Majesty’s Consuls, and in the meanwhile you need not initiate any action unless the question is brought to your attention by the Chinese authorities. As the latter is a possible eventuality I would draw your attention to the inclosed letter,* dated the 12th January, from the Chairman of the Shanghae Municipality,. written in reply to one from the Senior Consul, inclosing a Proclamation proposed to be issued by the Taotai and having for its object the closing of opium houses. This letter was published in the “ North China Daily News” of the 17th January. In the concluding paragraph the Council express their readiness to support the local autho- rities to the full extent of their power as soon as there is evidence of bond-fide intention: on the part of the Chinese Government to give practical effect to their present protestations. This attitude, adopted by the Municipal Council of an international Settlement, appears to me fair and reasonable, and it is, in my opinion, desirable that every willingness should be shown in a British Concession to co-operate with the Chinese authorities in any genuine endeavour to suppress the opium habit. Should you, therefore, be approached by them in the matter, I see no objection to your giving them the assurance that you are ready to take measures for the closing of opium shops in the Concession similar to those that may be put into practice by them outside. Tam, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.