In the formidable list of Im"erial Edicts which we publish to-day the one dealing with the suppression of poppy plantation may attract special attention aot upmingled with sarpriee. The diet announces that several provinces reported entire suppression of opium-growing. In others, however, this desirable end has not quite been gained; and the Vicernys and Governors the backward provinces are accurdingly commanded to take steps to shorten the time within which the poppy shall cease to be grown. In the other provinces officials are warned to guard against recrudescence of the penalties are held over the heads of all, high and low alike, who violate the law. The importance of the edict li jet in what it implies than in at it says. It was never opposed that all provinces bad been equally successful in eradicating opium; that indeed would have been too much to expect. But so many and stringent regelations have already been issued, that the new edict would appear to be needless on any supposition bat that the campaign is less advanced than the been led to. suppose. It will be remembered that, after this by the progress made by Chien versal, in continuing the annual redcetion of the export of opium to China. Not improbably the realization of this fact has led the Chinese Government bestir itself; but the inference that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.