893.114 Narcotics/7–1544
The Chinese Ambassador (Wei) to the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honor to refer to the previous correspondence concerning the adoption of a common policy among the United Nations for the suppression of the non-medical use of narcotic drugs in areas in the Far East now occupied by the Japanese forces when they are re-occupied by the armed forces of the United Nations. The Ambassador wishes to quote for the information of the Secretary of State the following excerpts from a message issued by the President of the Republic of China to the Chinese nation in observance of Opium Suppression Day on June 3, 1944:
“China has long been in the grip of the opium evil which has adversely affected the morality and health of her people. Since the enforcement of the six-year opium-suppression plan, measures have been taken to prohibit opium plantation in outlying and secluded areas on the one hand and to stop the drug traffic on the other. In addition, registration of opium addicts for medical treatment has been ordered and a strict law promulgated providing severe punishments for those who have again fallen victims to the health-sapping drug.
[Page 129]“Despite the war of resistance the Government has never relaxed its efforts in its grandiose campaign against opium. In 1940 which marked the completion of the six-year opium-suppression program satisfactory progress had been made by the anti-opium drive in areas which were under the control of the Chinese Government. However, it is indeed a matter of regret that in areas under Japanese occupation, the opium situation has worsened.
“There are three measures which we should take with special vigor in the future to stamp out the evil. First of all, more effective and strict measures should be taken to completely eradicate opium smoking, sale and plantation in the far-flung regions in the rear.
“Secondly, the smuggling of opium and other narcotic drugs from the occupied areas must be prevented. To attain this object, the military and civil authorities in the various areas close to the fronts should take steps to tighten their blockade against the Japanese and to prevent merchants from engaging in opium traffic.
“Finally, preparations should be made for carrying on the antidrug drive in the territories to be recovered. The people in these areas who have been drugged by the enemy should not be allowed to stick to the evil habit and those who are found violating the opium-suppression law should be severely dealt with. The Executive Yuan is mapping out concrete plans for an effective enforcement of the anti-opium measures. It behooves the Central and local authorities to faithfully and effectively carry out these measures so that the resolve of the Government to suppress this evil may not be affected by existence of the peculiar conditions in the occupied areas. It is hoped that our allies, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands which have announced their intention to eradicate opium in their possessions in the Far East will cooperate with us in this campaign against this deadly drug.
“We shall all do our utmost to attain this goal, so that the humiliation that has been a stain in our history for more than a hundred years may be erased once and for all.”