Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/286

So much for the "opium question" as it stands at the present time. It may be convenient if, in conclusion, I briefly sum up the position. The chief factors in the situation to be borne in mind are these. China produces ten times as much opium as she imports. She derives a revenue of between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 from home-grown opium, and of £830,000 from the foreign importation. The value of the opium crop to its cultivators is considerably greater than that of an equal crop of cereals. A large proportion of the officials are not only opium-smokers themselves, but are pecuniarily interested in its production. From 30 to 40 per cent of the population are estimated by the Chinese Government to be addicted at the present day to a habit which first found its way into the country two hundred years ago. With a view to eradicating the vice, a succession of Imperial Edicts has been issued and a set of sweeping regulations has been drawn up, while the Government of Great Britain has agreed to limit the export of opium from India pari passu with the reduction of the