5
Nan Ch'uan.-There are four large opium dens in the city; in the suburbs there are no open dens, but many secret ones. Altogether, taking city, suburbs, and twenty- eight market towns, there are more than 180 dens.
Pa Hsien-There were formerly 1,400 to 1,500 opium dens in the Pa Hsien district, reduced the year before last on the institution of the "kuau kao tien" to eighty in the city and one in each market town, of which there are 108. They were all closed on the 1st of the Chinese moon this year, but there are now more than 600 secret dens in the city.
Kiangpei.-There were formerly 300 odd opium dens, which were reduced for reasons above given under "Pa Hsien to forty odd in the city and one or two in the forty-eight market towns, according to their size. This gave a total of 108 odd dens. They were all closed on the 1st of the 3rd moon this year; but there are still shops where opium is secretly sold and smoked, the total for city and market towns being
over 100,
Question 6.--What is the general attitude of officials and people towards opium
reform?
Replies.
Liangshan.-The officials seem to do as the gentry advise. The gentry are as a class not serious in their endeavours to control the growth and sale of opium. The people, however, cry out for complete prohibition.
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Tung Hsiang-As you doubtless know, Tung Hsiang is perhaps the worst "hsien in Szechuan for opium growing. Of six fields should say five grow opium. No one can borrow unless his fields are growing opium. In fact, most transactions are done in opium.
The people, although in conversation, &c., they all agree that the trade is indefensible and only ruins their "hsien," will do nothing unless forced to by the official. There is no public spirit about it. I cannot tell you the official's private attitude about it; he is certainly faced with a pretty tough job.
K'ai Hsien.--The general attitude is indifference.
Wan Hsien.--Indifference.
Fengtu. Proclamations issued, but officials have not exerted themselves, and people not favourable to opium reform.
Fuchou.-Officials and people indifferent.
Chungchou-Present officials are exerting themselves, but the people are not
serious.
Shih Chu Ting-People desire eradication of opium, but they have no good medicines or houses. Frequent conferences between the ting and the gentry have led to the decision that the only effective means of stopping opium smoking is to entirely prohibit cultivation, but effect has not been given to this opinion.
Nan Ch'uan.-Official action during last three years has not been consistent. People have very little knowledge of the advantage to be gained by the eradication of opium, and it is very regrettable that the officials are not in earnest.
Pu Hsien. Officials have made efforts to stop opium smoking, but country-people and others are against it, as opium is the most profitable source of income. The police have endeavoured to prevent secret smoking and boiling, but the people have obstructed, and on both sides action really taken has been largely on the surface and in nominal obedience to orders from Chengtu.
Kiangpei.-Officials have not been in earnest, and people are indifferent.
Question 7.-Are steps being taken to register opium smokers?
Replies.
Liangshan-I have not heard of any such registration in Liangshan.
Tung Hsiang. I believe steps are being taken--anyway, there was a lot of talk about it. (This informant, as I have before stated, was away from Tung Hsiang when he wrote.)
K'ai Hsien. -No steps are being taken at all.
Wan Hsien. Just started, but people not registering, and magistrate not enforcing it.
Fengta Although smokers are supposed to have a licence, no effect has been given to this requirement.
Fuchu.-Registration ineffective. Great numbers have evaded it, and no licences have been issued. The people do as they please; they boil and smoke as much as they like.
Chungchou. Enquiry ordered but not properly made, and no registration effected. Shih Chu Ting-Nothing done.
Nan Chuan-Nothing done as yet.
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Pa Hsien. Although smokers are supposed to be licensed, and over 20,000 licences have been issued, the official opium in the "tsung kuan kao tien" finds no sale.
Kiangpei.--No real effort made to investigate number of smokers and issue
licences.
Question 8.--Have any anti-opium societies been formed?
Replies.
Liangshan. I have not heard of any.
Tung Hsiang.--None, as far as I know.
K'ai Hsien.--None.
Wan Hsien.--None. Fengtu.-None.
Fuchou. None.
Chungchou. A refuge in the city.
Shih "Chu Ting.--A refuge in the city.
Nan Ch'uan. An official refuge in the city was opened by the last magistrate,
but the medicines are expensive and useless. Those in charge think only of their own gain and care, nothing for prohibition of smoking.
Pa Hsien.-There is an official refuge in the city, the average number of persons in residence being about 100. Although a good many have been cured, the number of smokers is very great. Private anti-opium refuges number thirty to forty; their methods are mainly identical, but number of effective cures very few.
Kiangpei.-There is no official anti-opium refuge, but some people, secking for personal gain, have started a few refuges. They have no good houses or medicines, and cures are therefore impossible. Any who have really wished to give up the habit
gone to Chungking.
have
Question 9.-Have any "kuan tien" been established, and, if so, what is their
procedure P
Replies.
Liangshan.-Offices have been established in every village for the purchase of raw opium. Theoretically these are the only people allowed to prepare opium for use; they also issue anti-opium pills (containing opium). The people in charge seem to be left largely to themselves as regards procedure.
Tùng Hsiung.
-No information.
K'ai Hsien.---A. “kuan kao tien" has been opened, but only the signboard hangs outside, that is all. Nothing is done.
Wan Hsien. There was one in each ward of the city-four in all; but all closed now.
Fengtu. The city and each market town has a "kuan kao tien," and the maximum amount each opium den may purchase per diem is 4 oz.
Fuchou.-A. “kuan kao tien" has been established in the city. Those in charge have taken advantage of their position to make profits on exchange, refusing to reckon the value of cash or sycce in accordance with local custom. Each market town bas a "pi fa tien," which is compelled to deposit 50 tacls as security with the "kuan kao tien."
Chungchou. A "kuan kao tien established in the city. Shih Chu Ting.---No "kuan kao tien
>"
established.
Nan Ch'uan.—-A "kuan kao tien has been established in the city, and its opening has done a great deal of harm, conveying the idea to the ignorant country people that its institution is a cunning device to divert profits from their own pockets into those of the officials.
Pa Hsien-There is at present a "tsung kuan kao tien" in the city of Chungking. I shall refer at greater length to this establishment below.
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