lieving that this will be found agreeable and convenient to the other powers concerned. Mr. Root says that the President will appoint as commissioners not more than three persons, familiar with the subject, Congress to be asked for an appropriation not to exceed $20,000.

Mr. Root informs Mr. Reid that our idea is that each Government's commission should proceed immediately with the investigation of the opium question on behalf of its respective country, with a view (1) to devise means to limit the use of opium in the possessions of that country; (2) to ascertain the best means of suppressing the opium traffic if such now exists among the nationals of that Government in the Far East; (3) to be in a position so that when the commission meets in Shanghai, the representatives of the various powers may be prepared to cooperate and to offer jointly or severally definite suggestions of measures which their respective Governments may adopt for the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their eastern possessions, thus assisting China in her purpose of eradicating the evil from her Empire.

Adds that the Government of Portugal has also accepted in principle participation in the investigation.)

File No. 774/225B.

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chinese Minister. No. 112.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 29, 1908. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for your information, copy of a message from the President to the Congress of the United States, recommending an appropriation for the participation of the United States in the proposed investigation of the opium question in the Far East by a joint international commission, to which is attached a copy of a letter, dated May 7, 1908, addressed to the President by the Secretary of State, advocating the participation of the United States in the investigation.

Accept, etc.,

ROBERT BACON.

[Inclosure.]

Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a letter from the Secretary of State recommending an appropriation for the participation of the United States in the coming investigation of the opium question in the Far East by a joint international commission.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In laying before the Congress the accompanying letter from the Secretary of State, I heartily recommend that appropriation be made as therein requested for the participation of the United States in the coming investigation of the opium question in the Far East by a joint international commission.

The cordial reception of this proposal by the Governments concerned is a cause of gratification to the American Government and people. The high aim of this international project, placing, as it does, considerations of human welfare above all others, is a fine example of what is best in modern civilization and international good will and cooperation. Such an undertaking can not but appeal most strongly to the American people, and I am happy to lay before the Congress this opportunity to enable the United States to do its full share in the work.

THE WHITE HOUSE, May 11, 1908.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

The PRESIDENT:

In September, 1906, in view of indications that the Imperial Chinese Government was ready to make serious efforts to eradicate the opium evil, the Department of State, by your direction, entered upon correspondence with the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and China to learn whether they would favor a joint investigation of this subject so important to humanity, particularly to all nations having any direct or indirect responsibility for the welfare of those oriental peoples among whom opium is used.

As the result of a full exchange of views with the Governments interested I am happy now to have the honor to report that the proposal of the United States has been accepted by all the above-mentioned Governments and also in principle by the Government of Portugal. It has been deemed wise that the investigation be by joint commission; that each Government shall in the first instance prosecute an investigation in its own territories, and that attention shall be given to the commercial and agricultural as well as the other scientific aspects of the subject.

No Government having expressed a particular preference as to the date and place of meeting of the commissioners, and the Government of the United States having found itself invited to determine this point, our diplomatic representatives at the capitals concerned have been instructed to request the Governments to which they are accredited to send their commissioners to meet together at Shanghai, China, on January 1, 1909, the idea being that it will be found convenient for the commissioners of the various Governments to make their investigations during the intervening months, and then to confer together at Shanghai for an exchange of views, which, it is hoped, will result in valuable reports and joint recommendations to the Governments with a view to general and effective action.

The action thus inaugurated by the United States is in conformity to the established policy of our Government, expressed in the treaty which China concluded November 17, 1880, by which the Governments of China and the United States mutually agreed that "citizens of the United States shall not be permitted to import opium into any of the open ports of China, to transport it from one open port to any other open port, or to buy and sell opium in any of the open ports of China."

This treaty was followed by the act of Congress of February 23, 1887, prohibiting citizens of the United States from engaging in the opium trade with China under heavy penalties.

In 1903 a commission was appointed by the civil government of the Philippines to investigate the opium traffic in those islands and the methods of prevention. After an exhaustive inquiry this commission reported on the 15th of June, 1904, and on the basis of their report a law was enacted providing for a progressive restriction of the importation and sale of opium under special authority of the following provision of the act of Congress "To revise and amend the tariff laws of the Philippine Islands," approved March 3, 1905.

"Provided, however, That the Philippine Commission or any subsequent Philippine Legislature shall have the power to enact legislation to prohibit absolutely the importation or sale of opium, or to limit or restrict its importation and sale, or adopt such other measures as may be required for the suppression of the evils resulting from the sale and use of the drug: And provided further, That after March first, nineteen hundred and eight, it shall be unlawful to import into the Philippine Islands opium, in whatever form, except by the Government, and for medicinal purposes only, and at no time shall it be lawful to sell opium to any native of the Philippine Islands except for medicinal purposes."

The report of this commission offers an excellent groundwork for the further investigation to be made by this Government.

While the policy of the United States has been clear and positive, to prevent American citizens from having any part in imposing the evils that follow the use of opium upon the people of China and in using all possible means to prevent the use of opium in the Philippines, there is reason to believe that sufficient attention has not been given to prevent the importation of the drug into the United States. The importation of opium into the United States in the year ending June 30, 1907, amounted to 728,530 pounds. While the international investigation now proposed relates to opium in the Far East, an incidental advantage of the investigation may be to point out the necessity, and the best method, of restricting the use of opium in the United States.

The commercial aspect of the subject involves such complicated and widespread trade relations that an effective treatment of it seems impossible unless it be by the concurrent action of the great commercial nations, together with those peoples of the Orient among whom the abuse is most prevalent.

To enable this Government to appoint not more than three commissioners and a secretary and disbursing officer, and to include traveling expenses, stationery, printing, and other incidental expenses connected with the investigation and the meeting of the commissioners, I have the honor to recommend that the Congress be asked to appropriate the sum of $20,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary.

Since the investigation should begin at once and the commissioners are to meet January 1, 1909, it is very important that such appropriation be made immediately available.

Respectfully submitted.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, May 7, 1908.

ELIHU ROOT.

File No. 774/239-240.

No. 937.]

Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.

AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, June 8, 1908. SIR: Referring to my No. 900 of April 8, 1908, I have the honor to inclose herewith additional regulations for the suppression of the cultivation and consumption in the Chinese empire, approved by the Throne on May 25 last. W. W. ROCKHILL

I have, etc.,

[Inclosure.]

Regulations for opium suppression.

Submitted to the Throne for approval by the boards of home affairs and finance. Imperial rescript, "Let it be done as recommended." Received May 23, 1908.

I. RESTRICTION OF THE AMOUNT OF OPIUM RAISED.

1. The provincial authorities shall issue instructions to the local officials accurately to ascertain the acreage given over to opium cultivation within the territory under their jurisdiction, also the names of the cultivators and the amount produced, which information must be embodied in a tabulated statement and transmitted through the provincial authorities to the boards of finance and home affairs for examination and retention.

2. That period of 10 years at the end of which opium shall be prescribed shall be held to begin with the thirty-sixth year of Kwang-hsü (1906). The Provinces shall in this matter of diminishing the amount of opium produced observe the regulations drawn up by the Government council and approved by the Throne. In addition to strictly forbidding such land as has not heretofore been under opium cultivation to be used for that purpose hereafter, it is also ordered that all land producing opium in the thirty-fourth year of Kwang-hsü shall annually be reduced in acreage by one-eighth of the area reported that year. With the forty-first year of Kwang-hsü (1915) the raising of opium shall cease absolutely. Moreover, when land previously devoted to the growing of opium is put under other cultivation particular report of the change shail be made to the boards.

3. The provincial authorities shall make out certificates which shall be distributed through the local officials to all growers of opium, each certificate containing a statement of the area of the holders' land devoted to the raising of opium. Every year an amended copy shall replace the one of the year before,

and anyone found growing opium without one of these certificates shall be strictly enjoined therefrom. At the time of issuing the certificates a tax of 15 cash shall be collected on each mu represented, but no other tax shall be levied.

II.-MONOPOLIES.

4. After the placing of the single tax on domestic opium the Provinces of Anhui, Honan, and Shansi set up public associations (or monopolies) acting under permits from the local authorities and the branches of the bureau of native opium taxation. The above permits were issued free of charge. Upon these monopolies devolved the responsibility of guaranteeing the payment of the tax on domestic opium. The opium growers disposed of their product through the monopolies and the dealers bought their supply from the same agencies. All opium not passing through the monopolies was regarded as illicit. All purchases of opium, therefore, had to be made at these offices and could not be arranged at will in those localities where it was grown. Account of all sales and purchases was kept and forwarded at intervals to the taxcollecting offices. As the opium was sold, the tax was paid, strict Government supervision being at all times maintained. In the future each Province shall establish similar monopolies which shall keep careful record of their transactions in opium in books provided for the purpose by the bureau of native opium taxation. Daily record shall be kept not only of all sales and purchases, but also of the names of the sellers and buyers. These reports shall be tabulated and at the end of each year sent to the controller general of native opium taxation. That official shall annually draw up and send to the boards a statement showing the diminution in the business transacted by the said monopolies in comparison with the year before Ssu-ch'uan, Yünnan, Kweichou, the New Dominion, and Manchuria are not under the direction of the controller general of native opium taxation, and it shall be the duty of their viceroys and governors to conform to these regulations in the same manner prescribed for the other Provinces.

Dealers in opium shall obtain permits from the branches of the bureau of native opium taxation and from the local officials and shall present them when making purchases at the monopoly offices. There shall be no charge made for these permits. No one without a permit shall purchase opium from either of the monopolies or of the growers. Transgressors of this regulation shall be punished.

III.-DEALERS IN OPIUM.

5. Each Province shall instruct all its local officials to make a careful list of opium-dealing firms, ascertaining their number, their firm names, their location, capitalization, and the names of the proprietors. This information shall be tabulated and sent to the provincial viceroy or governor, who shall, in turn, transmit it to the boards for examination. No more firms dealing in opium may be established.

6. Each Province shall issue permits to deal in opium and these permits shall be given through the local officials to all those firms now engaged in this line of commerce. New permits shall be issued annually and no concern not thus licensed shall be permitted to transact business.

At the time of issuing these permits the firms shall be assigned to one of the three grades, according to the amount of their capital. A capital of $10,0000 or more will place a firm in the first class and make it liable to the payment of a yearly license fee of $6. A capital of over $5,000 but under $10,000 will place a firm in the second class and make it liable to an annual fee of $4, while a capital of less than $5,000 places a firm in the third class and makes it liable to an annual registration fee of $2. There shall no more minute distinctions be made.

7. Monthly account of sales made shall be rendered to the yamens concerned by each firm dealing in opium. These accounts must be accurate and no sales may be made to any person not the holder of a permit. The yamens concerned must collect these accounts and transmit them through the provincial viceroy or governor to the boards for examination.

8. Every firm dealing in opium shall also engage in some other line of business, effecting a gradual transition, so that the entire change may be accomplished in the time set.

IV. OPIUM-SMOKING RESORTS.

9. The opium-smoking resorts throughout the Empire were, by the regulations drawn up by the government council and sanctioned by the Throne in the thirty-second year of Kwang-hsü (1906), given a period of six months within which to close their doors. At the time set the doors of all such resorts were to be closed. These regulations were promulgated in all the Provinces and this is all matter of record. If any tea shops, wine shops, or brothels, are also running opium-smoking establishments they must be dealt with in the same way and enjoined from doing so. Failure to cease conducting such a business must be severely punished.

V. OPIUM-SMOKING APPARATUS.

10. In the thirty-second year of Kwang-hsü (1906) the government council drew up regulations which received Imperial sanction, forbidding, after the termination of a period of six months, all dealings in opium-smoking apparatus. This date is now long past and it is the duty of all provincial viceroys and governors to instruct the local officials of the Province to ascertain by thorough investigation, whether those firms formerly dealing in such goods have or have not ceased to do so. If any have not they shall be immediately forced to and adequate punishment shall be meted out to them.

VI. OPIUM TAKERS.

11. Each Province shall instruct the local officials therein to prepare lists of all the users of opium in their respective districts, giving their names, residence, and age, and these lists shall be sent at the end of each year to the boards for examination.

12. Each Province shall issue permits through the local officials to all users of opium, which permits shall be renewed each year. No one not the possessor of a permit shall be allowed to buy opium. When the opium taker applies for his permit he shall state what quantity he uses daily. This shall be written on his permit and he shall not thereafter buy on any one day any more than the amount named, although he may buy less at will. At the time set he must discontinue the use of opium altogether.

VII. SUPPRESSION OF THE USE OF OPIUM.

13. Each Province must establish bureaus for the suppression of the use of opium. These bureaus shall prepare medicines after prescriptions procured by the board of home affairs and send them to the medicine shops and charitable institutions with orders that they be sold at cost. Destitute people shall be provided with medicines free of charge. If any physician of repute devises a prescription not included in those prepared by the board, he shall forward it through the viceroy or governor to the board of home affairs for examination. 14. Each local official shall instruct upright men in his jurisdiction to establish opium cures and publish broadcast a paper containing directions as to the curing of this habit. This paper must be published in colloquial language and must not contain any discussion relative to present-day governmental matters. 15. Local officials must make a careful inspection of the medicine shops and of those shops selling opium cures, and if shops of either of these classes are selling cures containing morphia or similar drugs, or if they are secretly selling morphia, they must immediately be stopped.

VIII. SUPERVISION.

16. If the local officials are faithful in sending in the reports called for in these regulations it will be permissible for the viceroy or governor to report them to the board (of civil office) for suitable reward.

17. If the local officials are faithful in enforcing at the time mentioned the prohibitory clauses contained in these regulations it shall be permissible for the viceroy or governor to mention them to the board (of civil office) for suitable reward.

18. If any local official shall within one year diminish by one-third the acreage given over to poppy cultivation in his jurisdiction, and also the amount of opium sold in the shops and the amount consumed, and this diminution shall