File No. 774/148–149.
Chargé Fletcher to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking,November 28,
1907.
No. 785.]
Sir: In general reference to the anti-opium
movement in China, I have the honor to inclose a translation, in
duplicate, of regulations recently issued with reference to the use of
the drug by officials of the province of Chihli.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The following regulations have been circulated among all the Chihli
officials:
- 1.
- In accordance with the permission of the last opium edict,
the period for breaking off the opium habit has been
extended three months. During this time all officials must
watch their subordinates in the province and do their utmost
to get rid of the habit.
- 2.
- All expectant military and civil officials of high and low
rank must sign an undertaking to do away with the habit
within the given period; otherwise no post will be given
them.
- 3.
- All substantive officials or expectants unable to cure
themselves of the vice within three months must vacate their
posts and be sent back to their native places.
- 4.
- Those who have entirely got rid of the habit in the
appointed time will be retained and take the same standing
as officials who have never smoked, while any who have
signed a bond and are supposed to have abandoned the habit
if found to smoke secretly should be impeached by their
superiors.
