1918—1919年苏米对日出口弛禁之争

The 1918-1919 Debate on the Relaxation of Rice Export from Jiangsu to Japan

1918年日本发生米荒,向江苏省请求开弛米禁予以接济。中国与日本、中央(北京政府)与地方就此事展开为期数月的频繁往来。中央希望借助米粮弛禁以利外交,但苏省始终坚持自身立场,奉行一贯的米禁政策,面对各方请求不为所动。与此同时,英国也伺机以米粮外流有违中英条约为由,要求恢复口岸转运贸易。而闻得官方有弛禁之意的地方民众,则自发展开阻米行动,呼吁政府维护民食,制裁不法商人。最终,五四运动的爆发使日本的请米运动淹没于高涨的反日爱国浪潮之中。

In 1918, Japan faced a shortage of rice and requested Jiangsu Province to lift the ban on rice exports in order to alleviate this issue. This sparked a series of exchanges between China and Japan, as well as discussions between the central and local governments that lasted for several months. The central government aimed to relax the ban on rice export to facilitate diplomatic efforts, while Jiangsu Province maintained a consistent policy of prohibiting rice exports and remained steadfast despite various requests. Simultaneously, Britain seized this opportunity to demand the resumption of port transshipment trade, citing violations of relevant Sino-British treaties due to the outflow of rice. Upon hearing that the government might relax the ban, local citizens took spontaneous action to prevent it. They called upon the government to protect their food supply and punish unethical businessmen.