!
508
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Morphia: 26 parcels of which the weight is not given, and $3,000 worth of a new brand of morphia pilis.
Heroin: 81 ounces and 8 parcels of heroin composition. Chintan pills: 672 ounces by weight, 275 tins of various size contain
ing from a few hundred to several thousand pills each, Also several bags of pills, each commonly containing 10,000 pills.
The Branch in making this report states that arrests were macte in connection will 113 seizures, but entirely amongst the poorer classes, none amongst the rich. The well known "King of Opium and White Pills, who in last year's report was mentioned as deriving a yearly profit of $400,000 from the traffic, has not been arrested,
Besides the above, quantities of coraine, caffeine, quinine and milk sugar, which are used in combination with morphia and heroin, were seized. The amount of opium seized was small, only about 400 pounds. Japanese Dangerous Drugs Regulations at Tsinanfu
On April 5, 1926, the Japanese Consul-General at Tsinan promulgated regulations similar to the British Dangerous Drugs Act and The King's Regulation governing British subjects in China. The fact that this action has been taken in Tsinanfu is definite confirmation of the long known participation of Japanese subjects in the narcotic drugs traffic. Under these regulations, all Japanese druggists must be registered, and specially licensed for dealing in narcotics and poisonous drugs: these drugs shall not be sold or given away except for scientific, medical and industrial purposes, and then only on application in writing the specific use for which they are required. The druggist must keep a register of all sales of narcotics which must be preserved for inspection.
Penalties for infringement are, suspension of business, withdrawal of permit, and in the case of criminal action penalties, detention or fine.
The only defect of this regulation is the absence of any governing control of importation. It is hoped that the laws of Japan will be applied for this purpose.
North Shantung. No poppy; opium traffic not extensive; pills plentiful. Tehsion. General use of opium, particularly amongst men of influence and leadership. It is impossible to inaugurate any public movement against opion for the leading men are smokers.
SHENSI
We greatly regret that detailed reports from Shensi are not available. Three general foreign reports have however been received, each revealing the general impression as expressed by Chinese workers, that the 1925-26 season shows no diminution in poppy planting, but rather the reverse. The season has been an exceedingly dry one so that the opium produced may not be as much despite the wider cultivation.
The province has been torn by civil war for months past, missionaries have been obliged either to leave their work, or remain within their city walls and itineration has been impossible. One correspondent states, "We are now in the 6th week of intermittent bombardment and fighting is going on all round us".
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Another writes that the cities are so fillet with refugees that whatever the opium or wheat crop may be much will be lost for want of farm labourers.
In the 1924-25 season the whole of Shensi was described as a vast poppy field. The glut of opium drove the price down to 35 cents
an ounce.
The opium revenue was exceptionally large, and military taxation on oplum land was almost the highest in China varying from $12 to 518 a mou. In West Shensi at Tienwa, She Hsien, Hsingping, Wukung, etc., which are described as "fat lands" opium cultivation in the previous season was estimated at over $10,000,000. Military authorities controlled opium export and under military escort, conducted transactions with neighbouring provinces. Shensi opium reaches all parts of North China.
If the general impression be true that the planting of 1925-26 ex- ceeded the previous year, then Shensi can still be classified with Yun- nan, and Szechuan as one of the three largest opium producing provinces in China.
West Shensi, Lung Chow. A rough estimate of poppy sown will not come below 10,000 More. The market is full of opium which sells at $1.50 an ounce, Opium taxes in this district in 1925 amounted to $600.000. This season the tax is levied on the titing bosses, who have to make it from the farmers. Taxes are so heavy that the people are robbing in all directions to meet the clemands,
We have just come through an opium war between the 2nd National Anny and the Kansu troops for the possession of opium taxes and revenue. Opium smoking prevalent everywhere.
SZECHUAN
Szechuan for several years has been competing with Yunnan for the position of the premier opium province. Our reports this year from Szechuan are so much more complete than those from the other two pro- vinces that it is easy to believe that Szechuan has gained the lead.
Szechuan, by reason of her Great River, has facilities for export which the other provinces do not possess, hence her opium finds its way all over China, Opium taxes have increased owing to the necessity of supporting big local armies, which fight as much for opium and its taxes, as for the possession of various sections of the province East Szechuan,
Wanhsich District. No opium grown for 16 years. In 1925 the military ordered cultivation but the head man of each chiah refused and paid in consequence the "lazy tax". Each high had to pay $1,000. Thus Wanhsien raised $50,000 by "lazy tax". Opium is plentiful. The registered and taxed opium dens for this district are not less than 800.
Much opium passes through Wanhsien from the inland cities and river ports. Military convoys of 50 coolies, each coolie carrying about 80 catties, pass through about twice a week. In the year not less than 100 tons comes into the city besides that which is distributed by
steamers.
Opium Prohibition Bureaux are placed at each gate to the city, and all opium is fined, in other words, taxed.
Kuihsien District. Opium and poppy growing conditions are simply appalling. I have just returned from travelling 19 days through this