§ Mr. REESasked whether a riot has-taken place in the Shansi province as a result of the measures taken by the Chinese Government to prevent the recultivation of opium in land previously under the poppy; and whether trustworthy information reached the Government regarding the feeling of the Chinese cultivators, as well as of the Chinese Government, regarding the present policy being pursued by the latter Government in concert with his Majesty's Government?
§ Sir E. GREYNo official information has reached me of the riot in question. We have no special information with regard to the manner in which the question is viewed by the farmers, though we have 575 heard that the suppression of the industry has met with considerable opposition in some places.
§ Mr. REESWould it not be in accordance with the traditional practice of the British Foreign Office to consider how this question affects the masses as well as the classes?
§ Sir E GREYThe Chinese Government are very much in earnest in this matter, and we can only take the opinion of the Chinese.