es," the last of July or the
first part of August, 1918:

FEAR OPIUM TRADE REVIVAL IN CHINA

BRITISH PROTEST LODGED AGAINST LARGE TRACT OF POPPY UNDER
CULTIVATION IN SHENSI. GOVERNMENT IS HELPLESS. AREA IS
PRACTICALLY RULED BY BANDITS. MAY TRY TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

_From a Special Correspondent. Peking, May 27, 1918:_

One of the very few things which China has done well
is the suppression of the opium practice with all its
baneful influences. Under the spur of enlightened foreign
opinion, the Chinese have rid themselves of opium much
earlier than was arranged for, and in their thoroughness
actually defied conventions to which the British
Government was a party.

This in other circumstances might have awkward
consequences. But those who took the risk knew that the
British people would not tolerate the continuance of
opium importation into China even if it did involve the
violation of certain agreements.

For several years now China has been certified as free,
that is to say, the cultivation of the poppy has been
entirely discontinued. Of course the habit has not been
completely eliminated--that takes time--and the fact that
a demand for the drug exists is sufficient temptation for
greedy officials and unscrupulous speculators to connive
at renewed attempts to cultivate the poppy and resume
its sale and use.

The state of lawlessness which prevails in China invites
disregard of authority, especially when it affords
lucrative possibilities, and the continued enfeeblement of
the administration in Peking contributes to conditions
favoring the resumption of the traffic in opium.

It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that reports
have been received by the British Legation in Peking, of
large tracts being under poppy cultivation in Shensi, a
province where lawlessness is rampant, and where the
unfortunate residents are harassed, plundered and
murdered by large roving bands of Tufei, the Chinese
equivalent for robbers or thieves. The reports come
from missionaries and foreign travellers and naturally
they could not be ignored.

Accordingly, the British Minister has lodged a protest
with the Chinese Government. _Under the Opium Convention,
Indian opium may be imported into China as long as the
poppy is cultivated in China. That is the legal