As thoussads in the northern Provinees have developed thd opium habit in recent years, prohibition could only be effective if means were taken. to cure opium smokers. The province of Shansi was quoted, where 51,008 smokers have been treated "in "Cure Houses" during the last wwo years. If thousands are lsuddedly deprived of their opium by local suppression of poppy cultivation, "smuggling from neighbouring provinces will inevitably follow, unless the addicts jean be cured, th regard to smuggling, it is obvious that with' unrestricted jand even compulsory cultivation. in the south and western provinces, markets must be found for their surplus tons of opium which, unless a very extensive prevention service is established, will inevitably find its way td ithe north. To stop cultivation in|back the north and not prevent opium traffic from the south would bd only changing the name and not lessening the evil itself, Beyond these two suggestions! the Association strongly. urged the eradication of poppy and suppression of opium traffic in the northern provinces owing allegiance to the Central Government, and -the Association - is convinced that nothing will re-. firm the confidence of Foreign Powers, more than the cortait knowledge that Kansu, Shen Anhui, Hunan and bibi ara felear.—-Reuter's Pacific Sorvios.
Berne, Mar. 25.
The National Council to-day]
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.