Ix commenting on the Imperial Decree of September 20, 1906, for the suppression of opium, we drew attention to the significant fact that it contained no reference to the financial aspect of the problem as an indication of the bona Jides behind the attempt to suppress the uso of opium. In our subsequent discussions of the subject we have consistently maintained that the real tost of the sincerity of the Chinese Government in this branch of national reform lies in its intentions with regard to the strict prohibition of the habit and the cultivation of the poppy throughout the Empire. The Decree issued eighteen months ago dealt with these two aspects of the question, enacting, on the one hand, that a limit of ten years should be given from the Ware of its promulgation to get rid entirely of the bane of opium smoking and commanding the other hand, that the Counc State Affairs should consider me: sures about the future area of land i in China devoted to the growth of the poppy. There is nothing lacking in the clearness with which these two fundamental requisites are set forth; the weak link in the chain is the failure to give any indication as to how the Imperial Government proposed to meet the enormous loss in revenue the carrying out of this programme must inevitably occasion. There is, indeed, nothing to indicate that this aspect of the question had ever been taken into consideration at all by the framers of the Decree. The view generally held by foreigners who take any interest in the matter was well set forth by the Chairman of the Municipal Council in his remarks at the recent Ratepayer's Me when introducing the Resolution for the reduction of the number of licensed opium houses in the Settlement. "The Chinese iGovernment," he said, " have never published any indication of the measures they proposed to adopt for curtailing the supply, or of the substitute they have designed for the income derived from opium which is hypothecated against their foreign loans."
The Imperial Decree just issued, a translation of which was published in our columns last Tuesday, affords gratifying evidence that the Chinese Government has at length awakened to a realization of the importance of considering this aspect of the question. The Viceroys and Governors are "commanded to investigate the conditions within their respective jurisdic tions and, after deciding upon the manner whereby a substantial reduction of the cultivation of the poppy and the consumption of the drag may be gradually brought about, to report to Us first before putting their respective schemes into force. They are to show how much reduction may be made each y and they are to send {is i Us eae Special report at the end of each year as to. wha has been done by them."
This is followed TI ay be regarded as un-the most important part of the Decree, it has to do with the crucial question of finance. "As for the manner of obtaining other revenues to make up for the losses on that on opium we hereby command the Mipistry of Finance to arrange about this matter." This is a short sentence, but a pregnant one. There are many who, not without reason, have felt compelled to doubt the sincerity of the Chinese Government in the measures which are being taken for the removal of the opium incubus which weighs so heavily on the Chinese people. They have seen other Imperial Buicts, which left nothing to be desired from a verbal point of view, entirely inoperative and there was little rea-ume that the one on opium ould meet with any better fate. There were not wanting those in high positions who made some efforts to enforce the Decree; the difficulty of doing so, however, was indicated by the fact that although H. E. Yuan Shih-kai displayed the greatest energy in the matter, yet close investigation showed that 200 miles south of Tientsin, in ten counties out of eleven, the Edict was a dead letter. In regard to the question of the aren of land in China devoted to the cultivation of the Boppy recent accurate information, as far as such was obtainable, went to prove that not only had no steps been taken to deal with this aspect of the problem, but the cultivation of the poppy was increasing rather than diminishing. It may be mentioned that the recent export of the drag through Ichang has been the highest on record. The Decree just issued, however, will encourage a more optimistic view of the situation. It is couched in strong and emphatic language and expresses the conviction that no matter how hard and difficult the task may be the opium habit must be entirely eradicated within the limit of time set by Imperial Edict, feature of the Decroe recognition of what has been done by foreigners for the suppression of the opium habit.
hey show deep regret," "in seeing that the people of China do not abolish the drug from their country. The consent of the Gov~ ernment of Great Britain to reduce the importation of opium each year, together with the sympathy and help of other friendly countries, is acknowledged, and this solicitude on the part of foreign countries for the welfare of China is adduced as an additional reason why every effort should be put forth to accomplish the object in view. It will be the best way to show that the Chinese appreciate the friendly offices of their neigh-hours. The mischief and harm occasioned by the opium habit are animadverted upon in no uncertain terms and an appeal, pathetic in its intensity, is made to the officials to put forth their beat Original from
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.