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.

    55/58 (page 47)
    3. The original proposal to double the duty and li-kin charge on foreign opium was made with a view to utilizing the tax as a restrictive measure, and not witha view to increasing the revenue. a en ee His Majesty’s Government have raised three points upon which they require information in connection with the proposed tax and the value of the native drug. These are not questions which can be fully gone into at short notice. The Board therefore propose to postpone for the time being the levy of the double duty, and to reserve the question for future discussion. | 4, With reference to the prohibition of the import of boiled opium) into China from: Hong Kong, His Majesty’s Government have agreed that each country should take steps to prohibit the import into its own territory. The Board will therefore direct the various provincial Superintendents of Customs to draw up strict regulations for a careful watch to be kept to prevent the smuggling of boiled opium into China. | 5. With. regard to the measures to be taken in the foreign Settlements and Concessions for the prohibition of opium shops, resorts for opium smoking, and of the sale of opium appliances, His Majesty’s Government have agreed that if effective steps have been taken by the Chinese authorities beyond the limits of such Settle- ments or Concessions, the municipal authorities of these localities should also take effective steps on their own initiative, without awaiting the request to do so from the Chinese authorities. The intention of His Majesty’s Government to accord. the fullest measure of support to the efforts of the Chinese Government is amply evidenced by this action. | | ~.. Numerous Imperial Edicts have already appeared commanding that the measures to be taken for the suppression of opium beyond the limits of Settlements and Concessions by the local Chinese authorities should be energetically put into. effect. Present appearances go to prove, therefore, that the consumption of opium by tlie lower classes is already sh »wing a sensible diminution, a fact the truth of which your Excellency can ascertain by inquiry. 6. His Majesty’s Government have signified that they are fully prepared to co-operate in prohibiting the general importation of morphia and instruments for its injection as soon as the consent of all the Treaty Powers has been obtained. E ~The Board has the honour to inform your Excellency that correspondence which has passed between the Chinese Government and the various Powers has shown that they all share the view of His Majesty’s Government, with the single exception of Japan, from whose Government no reply has yet been received. When the Japanese Government have replied signifying their consent, a further note will be circulated among the foreign Representatives. To sum up, it is the earnest hope cf China to effect the final and complete eradication of opium, Seconded as she is by the assistance of Great Britain, it 1s incumbent upon the Board to convey orders of a still more urgent nature to the local authorities to give energetic effect to the prohibitive measures. I have the honour to request your Excellency to communicate the terms of this lv to His Majesty's Government, and avail, &c. “i Mee ed (Signed) Prince CH‘ING., Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—=(Received January 27.) (‘Telegraphic.) , Peking, January 27, 1908. WITH reference to your telegram of the 4th instaiit, [ have the honour to report that the Chinese Government now accept teduction of the total export of opium from India by 5,100 chests yearly, beginning with 1908. The Chinese Government desire that I should again express gratitude to His Majesty’s Government. I have informed the Government of India of the above. SSS ——_— NESE EA LOO CLE LOE, I RE ER, . SS SS Se ,