File No. 774/33–36.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking,February 18,
1907.
No. 539.]
Sir: In further reference to the attempt being
made by the Chinese Government to abolish the use of opium (see my
dispatches No. 469 of December 6, 1906,b and 497 of January 4, 1907c), I beg to transmit to you herewith
the proposals submitted by the Chinese Government to the British
minister here on November 29 last, and which are now under consideration
by the British Government.
I inclose also a copy of a letter signed by all the British merchants in
China interested in the opium trade to the British consul-general in
Shanghai, asking to be advised as to the views of their government, so
that they may have an opportunity to be heard as to the manner
[Page 147]
in which the extinction of the
Indian opium trade in China should be carried out.
There appears to be little reason for them to fear that any steps will be
taken by the British Government until it has proof that the Chinese
Government is not only desirous but able to carry out this reform. At
present few Chinese or foreigners believe that it will be able to give
effect to its good intentions, notwithstanding the best efforts of the
men who, in official and private life, have sincerely at heart the
abolition of the use of opium, as an indispensable first step to the
moral regeneration of the race. The more general opinion among the
Chinese to whom I have spoken on this subject is that the period of ten
years is entirely too short to accomplish the reform and that its
probable failure will prove a heavy blow to progressive measures
generally.
Another imperial edict, a translation of which I inclose, appeared on the
7th of this month, commanding the high provincial authorities to
gradually prohibit the cultivation of poppy; it is probably issued as a
proof of the Government’s ability to carry out the reform, the only one
given until now being the closing of opium dens in this province, for
elsewhere throughout the Empire even that does not appear to have been
clone.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Suppression of the opium trade.
full proposals of the chinese
government.
The following are the proposals of the Chinese Government for the
suppression of the opium trade submitted to Sir John Jordon:
We have in former issues given a brief outline of the Government’s
proposals to the British minister, and now reproduce a more detailed
statement from the native papers.
The following are the points which have been referred to the British
Government for consideration:
- 1.
- As native opium is to be entirely suppressed within ten
years, foreign opium shall be so likewise, so that the
supplies may be discontinued simultaneouly. The importation
of Indian opium shall therefore be reduced proportionally.
It is requested that the average of the imports for the
years 1901–5 be taken as a standard, and the decrease being
in the year 1907, importation to cease in the eleventh
year.
- 2.
- Calcutta being a center of opium export trade in India, it
is requested that Chinese officials be allowed to inspect
the packing and exporting of opium at Calcutta, so as to
secure an authentic return of the opium exported to
China.
- 3.
- Foreign opium being double the strength of native opium,
it was formerly taxed at the rate of 60 to 90 taels per
picul, and the present tariff is 115 taels, while native
opium pays 110 taels per picul, including duty and likin.
Comparatively, the tax on the former is much less than for
the latter, and it is feared that the smokers will take the
foreign drug, which will make matters worse. It is not a
question of revenue, but a measure for checking the use of
opium. Great Britain is requested to consent to increase the
tax to 220 taels instead of 110 taels, as hitherto
levied.
- 4.
- As opium is prepared at Hongkong and great quantities sent
over to China, this should be dealt with in the following
manner:
- (a)
- The Hongkong governor is requested to give
assistance in the prohibition of prepared opium
being imported into China.
- (b)
- China be allowed a free hand to impose taxes on
such opium when imported to China.
- 5.
- It is requested that the foreign concessions be ordered to
cooperate with the local officials in the prohibition of
opium dens, restaurants, tea houses, and houses of ill-fame
in which opium smoking is allowed, together with the shops
where opium pipes, lamps, and other apparatus are put up for
sale in the concessions.
- 6.
- Morphia and syringes are to be prohibited according to the
14th article of the commercial treaty signed between Great
Britain and China, providing all powers agree. The Waiwu Fu
had, in the third moon, this year, notified the powers with
whom the new commercial treaty has not been settled to this
effect, and most of them have agreed. Great Britain is
requested to consent to the actual prohibition.
[Inclosure 2.]
The restriction of opium.
british merchants in shanghai
protest.
The following letter, dated January 7, has been forwarded to His
Britannic Majesty’s consul-general, Sir Pelham Warren:
Sir: The proposals recently made by the
Chinese Government to prohibit the consumption of opium in China are
naturally of such great importance to us British merchants who deal
in this commodity that we are entitled to the earliest information
as to what is proposed to be done in the matter by His Britannic
Majesty’s Government.
It may be known to you that India exports to China every year about
75,000 chests of opium of value of about 5,000,900 taels, and the
whole trade is carried on by the British merchants, who at the
present moment hold enormous stocks in Shanghai and Hongkong, the
value of which may be roughly put down at 10,000,000 taels. The
magnitude of these figures speaks for itself, and makes it obvious
how our interests must be affected by the sudden contemplated
changes.
Though we claim no voice on the trade, we do claim to be heard as to
the manner in which such extinction should be carried out. It is
most important that in order not to entail heavy and ruinous losses
on us, the suppression of the trade should be carried out gradually,
and any measures that are framed should give ample time to the
merchants to work off their stocks in hand or contracted for. We
feel confident that the British authorities will not refuse to
accept representations and suggestion from those so heavily
interested and specially qualified to give them.
When it is known definitely what regulations will be put in force, we
merchants can provide accordingly, and the trade, though dwindling,
will be carried on according to circumstances. For this reason, if
for no other, we ask that we should be informed as soon as possible
of the views of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.
We therefore ask you as the representative of His Britannic Majesty’s
Government in Shanghai to bring these our requests to the notice of
the proper authorities, and hope that an early reply may be given to
us.
We are, your obedient servants,
David
Sassoon & Co. (Ltd.).
E. D. Sassoon & Co.
S. J. David & Co.
Cawasjee Palanjee & Co.
E. Pabaney.
Abdoolally Ebrahim & Co.
Tata & Co.
R. S. N. Taltai & Co.
Taltai & Co.
P. B. Petit & Co.
M. M. B. Afshar & Co.
D. E. J. Abraham
.
Isaac Ezra & Co.
[Inclosure 3.]
(Imperial edict, February 7.)
Provincial governors ordered to
prohibit poppy growing.
The board of domestic affairs has submitted the following memorial in
connection with the prohibition of opium smoking:
“We have already issued a decree ordering the suppression of opium;
it does injury to people’s lives.
“Now, the said board memorializes requesting to extend the system to
the provinces by closing all the opium in a certain time.
“The tartar-general, viceroys, and governors are to instruct their
subordinates to take strict measures in this matter, the prohibition
of planting poppies being the fundamental step.
“The high provincial authorities are held responsible for the
reduction of Poppy plantations, and within ten years the native
opium trade, together with foreign drug, must be equally and totally
suppressed.
“No negligence or pretext on the part of the officials is allowed in
putting our good wishes for the people into execution.”
