The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-03-09

CnhIhcteilheh rs BIN ptloFe NVus b
The policy, which for sordld monetary
considerations forces a vice upon
weak nation, and against the wishes
OF It's people, is inhumane, abhorrent,
and a shame to England" /
This is but one illustration Of public
opinion in Europe and America today.
A letter by the last mail from London
says: ITO ignore this appeal from
Chinas highest popular assembly
would not only be unjust, in the face
of what China has accomplished, but
would be to ALLEVIATE the good will of
those who are the mouth pieces of
China's public opinion" Many news
papers in the United States and Eng
land are now publishing articles on
the opium question and support
China's claim of sovereign right to
totally prohibit this poisonous drug.
China must make public demand be
fore the world, before she can expect
to secure the return of this right. In
the negotiations carried on there may
I be a tendency to discourage China in
her desire for immediate prohibition
because of the difficulties involved
and so keep China from making this
| public demand. On the other hand,
because China has not publicly before
the world demanded immediate and
| total prohibition of the opium trade,
/ the excuse is repeatedly made to the
England Anti-Opium agitators that
| Great Britain cannot be expected to
I THWING-2
demoralize the Indian trade and do
something she has not been asked to
I do.
DR.. w. A. P. Martin, that veteran
/ student of International Law, who for
more than sixty years has studied the
/ political situation in China has well
said: Nov is China's opportunity to
! take firm stand for her sovereign in
I dependent right on great moral ques.
ton. She has right on her side ana
, she. will succeed. If she cannot stand
, now for her independence in this ques.
ton she cannot in any other, ana her
! real independence will be put off for
many years. But if she faces this
moral issue, fearlessly and firmly, the
way will be opened for the solution Of
other difficult questions"
There are some matters on which il
would be very difficult for China tC
take a strong stand at the present
time, but the opium question is moi
one of these. On this question sne
has the earnest support of her people
the resolutions of her National Assem-
; bly,, the Imperial sanction of the
throne and the support of world wide
] opinion. But can China realize tha
this is not a question for negotiation
5 and conditions, but is one where firm
stand and a public demand is neces
L sary?
The 227th Article of the Treaty o
Tientsin provides that change ma!
n be made at the present time. Will Chini
l. briefly, but firmly, say to England AM
= to the world that from this time on sh,
g does not wish opium to be genera
r article of commerce! If she simpl
l. privately makes her request to tn
p British government she has to NEE
:, objections and difficulties alone. Blu
e If she makes her demand public, no
n only must Great Britain give good res
o sons to China for not complying wit
a this righteous request, but the Britis
n nation must also make it clear to tn
d whole world why she should continu
( her Indian opium trade into Chin
# contrary to the wishes of the Chimes
people. Chinas strength lies in pull
k lie action, firm and fearless. Wi
&c China realize her present opportunit
E. or will she miss it as she has some
e times done before?
re The independence of China is {
st stake before the world today. NJ
m only does this opium traffic affect tn
to millions of her people, but it also ha
1T to do with the honor and prestige (
s. the Chinese government. May tn
lie leaders of China today be guided I
n take such strong and fearless actiC
is as may speedily bring to an end tn
Of opium trade and bring more happinei
ne and prosperity to her own people ar
ne to the world