24
25
308
matter to persuade porters to carry for us. hospitable manner.
Both sides welcomed me in u most
Activity of Secret Societies.
The Triad Secret Society has long been active in Southern Kiangsi, but of late there has arisen a new society commonly known as the Chi T'an Hui, although it is probable that it flourishes under other local names. This society is growing in strength in the south and south-west particularly among the agricultural population. Temples have been built and members initiated in increasing numbers and charms of invincibility and of protection against malign influences are sold and exhibited in the country places.
A curious rumour has arisen among the Chinese to the effect that the new society has some secret connection with Li Lieb-chan and Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The explanation given is that Li and Sun fear a future return to the monarchial régime, and that they hope to use the members of the Chi Tan Hui as the nucleus of a Republican army. understand also that many young men from Kiangsi have been given good positions in Kuangtung by Li Lieh-chun in order that they may acquire experience in anticipation of the time of trouble. If it be true that Dr. Sun Yat-sen is connected in some way with the Chi Tan Hui, he may reasonably have had some ground for alluding to the possibility of a second Boxer trouble in his telegram to Mr. Lloyd George.
The officials in general deny the existence of the society. The Garrison Com- missioner at Kan Hsien, however, admitted that it had existed in the Kan Nan circuit two years before, but that orders had been issued to the magistrates for its suppression. No proclamations against secret societies were seen by me anywhere on my journey in the interior.
In any case the gentry are behind the Chi Tan Hui, and its progress merits close attention. The society advocates the return to the primitive faith of the lani, or, in other words, devil worship, a doctrine which appeals peculiarly to the people of these parts, and claims to have the direct protection of Heaven, The general tendency of the movement is therefore anti-missionary, but the resistance is so far passive and inap- preciable. That the movement may hereafter develop a more serious aspect is shown by the following extracts from the correspondence of missionaries in the interior:
Mr. Hall, of the China Inland Mission at Lung Ch'uan, writes:-
If
The Chi-tan is if anything in a more flourishing state than ever throughout the whole Hsien of Lung Chuan, and some of the church members and enquirers are having a hard time of it. If something is not done soon to check it, sooner or later there is certain to be serious trouble. We hear that Wang Chih Shih received a proclamation to put out against it, but yielded to the entreaties of the gentry not to do so. As far as we know, the only places in Wanan Hsien where they dare 10 carry on the Chi-tan are on the borders of Lung Ch'nan."
Mr. Horne, of the China Inland Mission at Nanchang, writes:-
"At our provincial conference from the 4th to 10th April, many of the missionaries testified to the prevalence of this sect in their districts, and were at a loss to know how best to meet it. It certainly is a rapidly growing and serious menace to foreigners and mission work. It is to be hoped that they may soon overstep themselves and meet with repressive measures before any great harm is done."
I have requested the missionaries throughout the province to furnish me with information as to the development of this society, and propose to take action as soon as a concrete case is brought to my notice.
General Trade Conditions.
Japanese goods, mainly soap. scent, trinkets, thread, medicines, and toys figure conspicuously in most of the shops in the area visited where Japanese agents are also actively engaged in the collection of camphor, tea, oil, &c. In the two cities untaken by the Taipings, Nanchong and Kan Hsien, British and general foreign goods were found in considerable quantities. In general, the speed at which we were forced to travel prevented me from making extensive enquiries as to trade conditions. For the most part the towns visited bad not recovered from the devastation of the Taiping
rebellion. In the Wanan district and to the south and east of Kan Hsien ruthless deforestation now results in periodical floods of a severe nature which are a serious handicap to the local traile. In 1915 every house in Wanan district city was destroyed by water, and other cities have suffered in varying degree from the same cause.
Itinerary and State of Roads.
March 19-Kiukiang to Nanchang (by rail)
21-78.-Nanchang to Wanan (by water). 29-30.-Wanan to Kan Hsien (by road)
73
April 1-2.-Kun listen to Yu Tu
Li
275
644
218
170
H
3-5.-Ya Tu to Ningtu
)...
240
7-10.-Ningtu to Ihuang
21
}
280
+1
11-12.-Ihuang to Lin Uh'un (
17
>...
120
13-15.-Lin Chuan to Tu Chia Po (by water).
310
H↑
"
16.-Tu Chi Pu to Pai Clr'a (by road)
50
F
"
ELT
17.- Pal Ch'a to Ilsia Ping, Mei Ling, and Chruan Shai Chiu (by road) 18-19 Ch'uso Shui Chris to Pung lain (by road)
71
114
TH
++
"
20-Feng lain to Kao An (by road)
GO
11
21-22.—Kao An to Nanchang (by water) ...
190
2,748 150
2,898
Visits in mountain regions away from malu road (say)
Total Li
-
I have
Roads. The roads by which our party travelled consist in the main of narrow tracks across a series of mountain ranges and valleys where rivers wandering in sandy chanzels are crossed on the flimsiest and most insecure of bridges. Planks or thin tree trunks of a total width of from 1 to 4 feet supported on rickety scaffolding extend from bank to bank across a space of from 20 to 1,000 and more feet. crossed one of 85 spans of 20 feet. The crossing of such bridges on a wet lark night is a strain on the nerves and endurance of the hardiest person, and ten or more of these bridges may be encountered in a single day's journey. There is no vestige of a handrail and one is forced to make one's way across them as best one can. Travel in these parts is arduous, particularly in the spring which is the rainy season in Kiangsi province. To be carried across rough mountain-roads by amateur chair-bearers is an experience that must be felt to be truly appreciated. Better roads of course exist, but they did not serve the purpose of opium-poppy investigation.
The li are in general longer than in other parts of China, 2 and not 3 li being frequently the equivalent of 1 English mile, so that the actual mileage traversed by our party exceeded 1,000 miles.
Sir,
His Britannic Majesty's Consulate, Kiukiang,
May 4, 1917.
Enclosure 9 in No. 1.
Consul Smith to Mr. Alston.
W. RUSSELL BROWN.
Swatow, April 16, 1917. I HAVE the honour to report that, in accordance with the instructions contained in your despatch of the 5th ultim, I left Swatow on the 19th ultimo, in company with the Chinese delegates, on a journey of investigation into the cultivation of the opium-poppy in Kwangtung, and returned to Swatow yesterday. All preparations for the journey had been completed several days beforehand in Swatow, but no start was possible until after the arrival of the delegates from Canton. The time at our disposal for the journey was only about a month, as the poppy harvest is practically over by the middle of April.
The Chinese officials who accompanied me were: Mr. Lam Hi Chow, the chief secretary to the Chao Hsün Taoyin, who was the representative of the Ch'ao Hisün Taoyin, the principal Chinese delegate Mr. Kum Yung Fan, the secretary to, and delegate of, the Opian Suppression Bureau, Canton; and two interpreters, Mr. Hoang Tsou Yn, English and French interpreter to the civil Governor, Canton; and Mr. Lau Wai Chi, English interpreter to the Chao Hsün Taoyin.
[2729-
1]
I}