The Infamous Traffic

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 27.

The Infamous Traffic.

THE Christian world will learn with shame and sorrow that Christian England is on the eve of concluding a new treaty with China for the still further extension of the infamous traffic in opium.

This new convention assumes the form of an additional article to the Chefoo Treaty, and abolishes all the barriers heretofore existing against the free diffusion of opium throughout the Chinese Empire inland. The treaty also settles a uniform rate of lekin of sixty taels per chest, and maintains the existing customs duty of thirty taels. This will allow opium to pass freely throughout China. It is probable that China will extend a similar system of trade to other goods imported by English merchants.

To force this drug upon China against her earnest remonstrances England made war on China. Then a partial concession was made. Now the demand is that the drug may be freely admitted. Opium is one of the chief productions of India, and the British Government wishes a market for it in China, where it is more destructive of life and health and property than intoxicating liquor is here. The misery it produces is beyond the power of the pen to describe. The Chinese themselves, and Christian missionaries abroad, religious and philanthropic societies in England and other countries, have lifted up their voices in tones of pitiful entreaty that England would not encourage this unspeakable curse. But there are millions in it! Millions of pounds sterling that go into the national treasury, and so into the pockets of the English people. So there are millions of woes and tears and cries that God takes note of, and perhaps is even now remembering in vengeance.—Observer.