Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/283

Rh of those intimately acquainted with the conditions in China is a more reliable guide, in matters of practical politics, than the soaring idealism which is generated in the editor's office of 'National Righteousness.' The Chinese emperor has declared his satisfaction at the action taken by the British Government in an edict issued on March 24th, 1908: "The British Government have now agreed to effect an annual reduction in the amount of opium exported to China. This enlightened policy on their part has greatly impressed us." And after a reference to the details of the agreement, the edict concludes: "To allow these three years to slip by without taking measures for the abolition of the drug would be a poor return for the benevolent policy of a friendly Power, and a deep disappointment to philanthropists of all nations."

There is another danger besides that of an increased production of opium in China itself, which has to be carefully guarded against pari passu with the reduction of the supply of the drug—the danger of abolishing one vice only to make room for a worse. It is well known