Low informed
60
Kiah's house was suddenly invaded by several employees of the Opium Suppression Bureau (well-known to be the office of a monopolistic organisation for trading in opium), who stated
that they were searching for illicit opium.
them that he was a British subject and that if they wished
to take any action against him they should proceed in the usual way through the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and
the British Consul, but for reply he only received abuse,
being accused of acting as a "running dog" of the British
Low is an opium smoker, though not a heavy
Imperialists.
one.
The Bureau's employees seized a small box of opium and
a set of smoking utensils which they found on the desk at
which he was writing and took them away, dragging him off
with them to a Police Station and ultimately transferring
him to the Opium Suppression Bureau.
He was twice examined and his replies to the queries
addressed to him were noted down. He was asked what was his
native place and he replied that he was born at Singapore and
was a British subject. But again he was roundly abused and
he saw his questioner write down that he was a native of
Chao An. He pointed out the error and requested that it
might be corrected, but that this was not done is shown by
the terms of the report by the Opium Suppression Bureau to
the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs (see paragraph 11
below).
8. At first his captors proposed to fine him $150, but
a more enterprising member of the gang, who happened to come
into the office, ridiculed this proposal as waste of an
excellent opportunity, and after some discussion among the
crowd now surrounding the unfortunate victim, a fine of
£5,000 was demanded. This Low definitely refused to pay, and
after further threats and cajoling, it was reduced to $1,000.
As Low still declined to pay, he was thrust into a dark,
filthy /
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