New-York tribune., 1909-03-27
THE OPIUM PROBLEM.
High Minded Course of British Government
Mr.. Reid's Mansion House Speech.

From The London Morning Post
If this were merely an ordinary meeting to
promote missionary efforts for medical and
other educational work in China l might not
feel at liberty to take part in II while holding
things diplomatist is taught to avoid Is even
the appearance of interference in the domestic
concerns Of other countries. Least OF all should
American diplOmaJlst seem intrusive IN the
affairs Of one of the most populous nations en-
joying one of the oldest civilizations OF the
IyorId-a nation with which we have long cher
ished g sincere friendship, and by which we
believe ourselves to be held IN similar regard
But a meeting which secures the cooperation
and support of so authoritative a representa-
tive of China as my colleague here, the Chlnese
Minister-(hear, hear)-and of so distinguished
a friend and servant Of China as Sir ROBERT
Hart-(hear. hearts, surely presenting sutr-
cient warrant for the belief that the Chinese
themselves now earnestly desire such facllitles
for Western education as you seek 10 tuFhlsh-
on that whole general subject then, there IS
little need to add anything to what mas aIrsauy
been said But there is kindred problem con-
cerning us all, inextricably connected with
IL, which 1t inevitably brings up ana i0r
which the education you propose prooaDiy
on this. CHear. hear) Our own press
greater part of our history we were neither pro-
ducers of opium sellers Of II, nor caTTleFs'
nor consumers. Our one relation 10 IL was our
treaty with China in 1880. in which we oulIa"eu
the business and made il misdemeanor, pun
ishable by fine or Imprisonment, for an American
citizen TO engage in the opium trade IN amy way
in China Now, with the acquisition OF the
Philippines, begin TO have the responsibility
forced upon of dealing with the problem at
our own doors; suddenly find II OF vital I'M
portance to many millions OF people Tor whose
welfare bound to care. we nave not
hesitated, therefore, 10 approach the otheI io"
eTs concerned, and particularly emma anu vi e''1
Britain, for what believe to be our mutual
benefit. our effort was 20 promote joint IN
YestigatiOn the basis OF science ana Oh d
practical common sense study Of existing con-
ditions in the hope that the evils from the gen
eraI use OF opium might be restricted by some
oFa md he YntQC6leEOuE trade
gradually but steadily, increasingly, and mex
orably reduced. CHear. hear) When was
sent By my government to the British Foreign
Office with a proposition to this end was per
fectly aware that l was approaching one or the
greatest opium producing powers in the "0TIu i
with a scheme for detroylng its market. me
proposal could cost us nothing at all It might
cost Great Britain from f3,5OO,OOO to f4,OOo,OoO
or more in direct Indian revenue every year, be-
sides arrangements of industry over vast
stretches OF. country and other indirect losses
which 7 am not enough of Indian financier to
calculate even to comprehend. IN abort, /
realized that I getting dangerously near the
company of that unpieasantly large number OF
Dhilanthropists who are always most industrious
and eager in trying to do the world good by
nutting their hands into somebody elses pocket
Gaughter) Well, am here to-day to express
nv high respect, appreciation, admiration for
the way in which that proposal was promptly
met The thing on which the Foreign Office
wanted certainty was that the shortage maoe
I'm the Chinese supply of opium by a reduction
Of Indian exports would not be Immediately
filed up by increased Chinese production.
the Minister viii tell you that his government
is more anxious than any OF tie rest Of us to
reduce the domestic production at least as rap
idly s the importation, and TO bring the trade
as near extinction possible within few
years. (Hear, hear) To that end your educa-
tional movement must be an enormous aid The
recent conference at Shanghai between Great
Britain, China, the United States, and other
nations which lately adjourned after reaching
a valuable agreement on a number Of important
points should also powerfully contribute. But
the biggest impulse given by the high prin-
ciple and prompt and disinterested action Of
the British government. (Hear, hear) 1t put
reality into this movement when II met the
Chinese wish by a reduction OF $500 chests in
the amount of Bengal opium sold IN 1907-'0S, at
a loss to the Indian revenue of over half a mill
ion pounds and ordered a corresponding reduc-
ton in the size OF the crop permitted for the
ensuing year. Now, he who actually starts a
reform and at his own cost does higher work
than he who merely exhorts somebody else to
start it, and so, in this matter and at this time
we must cheerfully recognize that the names of
Great Britain and China lead all the rest.