"With regard to Putien, there had been no cultivation there. When I arrived I was met by British and American Missionaries who, in cooperation with local residents and Christian bodies and Educational organizations, had prepared a welcome. They corroborated other reports I have received that no poppy was grown this year in Putien. They had received an inquiry from the Foochow Branch of the International Anti-Opium Association, Peking, and had replied to that effect. This proves that the foreigners have confidence in the good results being obtained from the opium suppression measures that are now being enforced. This report is a faithful statement of what learned in these hsiens.
returned to Amoy on December 2, then went to Tungan which this year had become notorious for poppy cultivation, but I found there also that by the orders of the Civil Governor complete suppress sion had been carried out, with the assistance of the troops. The local authorities had reported that the region from Tungan to Tamahsiang and Kuankow, including the moun-famous districts, was free from cultivation, and this I found to be true.
"Next I went to the Islands of Chingmen and' Ssuming, where cultivation had been reported, but there also I found that it had been wiped out. I have now spent 40 days in inspecting 12 hsiens under the jurisdiction of Amoy, and have lodged a further appeal with the local authorities to prevent fresh cultivation.
"TI am now proceeding to the area under the jurisdiction of Tungchow and Changchow and shall report from time to time faithfully on what I ascertain."
Tre Governor's COMMENDATION.
General Li Hou-chi, in the capacity of Civil Governor, telegraphing to the Central Government on December 31 says With regard to poppy cultivation in Fukien, special attention must be paid to the districts along the lower valley (Minchiang). Since his arrival in Fukien Mr. Wang Ta-shen has performed his duty with marked diligence. I sent Mr. Chen Pei-kun, Taoyin of Amoy and Mr. Vu Shou-ying, Director of the Bureau of Opium Prohibition, to accompany Mr, Wang in his inspection from hsien to hsien. A telegram has now reached me from Taoyin Chen Pei-kun saying that Mr. Wang is satisfied as the result of his personal inspection that cultivation has been suppressed in the region under the control of Amoy."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.