zb
is named by the Chinese press as the Defence Commissioner and Chief of Police.
war in 1925, when
The Combine was formed during the time of it was widely acknowledged that the fighting for the occupation of Shanghai centre round the opium traffic.
North West. Poppy sown during 1925 owing to military occupation, and an extensive traffic in outside opium carried on by soldiers. Now (1926) the magistrate has given strict orders that all poppy and opium The former may be stop smoking must
within three months. accomplished because the poppy harvest will be over, but we doubt the latter.
The officials of General Sun seen to be wide awake and are We think the officials are the key scouring the country in search of poppy.
carried
on,
to the situation. If they are opposed to its production, it will have to go. Usually they are nine-tenths of the reason for its existence. Nurth Bust. 1. There has never been any large growth of opium in this section. Sporadic attempts to plant have been recently stopped.
the former 2. The transmission of opium and drugs under
the militarists freely administration was military themselves conducting such operations on a large scale. Since General Sun Ch'uan-fang has taken control, conditions have much improved.
the carried
but still is of opium
on, The selling 3.
Branch is who has become member of our
a Chief of Police, making careful investigation, and has plans for the suppression of the traffic.
4. Members of our
in Branch travelling
various directions
in the province report marked increase in opium smoking, specially amongst the military.
eaten and smoked, but A correspondent states: "Opium is not grown. Farmers are afraid of official squeeze and military blackmail." Central Kiangan. This section embraces the river ports of Nanking. Chungkiang, Wusih, Kiang Yin, and the cities of Yangchow, Taichow, Small Kaoyu Chow, and Taitung. Paoying, Hinghua. Tungtai, amount of poppy grown in a few outlying districts of the inland cities. but the increase in opium smoking is equivalent to 4-tenths of the population.
The users are mostly trading and working classes. The low price of opium ($z an ounce) and laxity of prohibition laws are mainly responsible.
Kiang Yin magistrate is using drastic measures to eliminate the sale of opium. He has opened a refuge and forcibly detains those addicted.
Opium smok-
Chinking. 200 miles along Grand Canal no poppy seen. ing is secret in this city. Police are vigilant.
to obtain as the sale Nanking. Great deal of opium used, it is easy is a military monopoly. The opium comes principally from Anhuei and Szechuan. In the villages opium smokers seem to receive full protection Sale and use of from the police. Wusih, Kiang Ying. No poppy. opium quite general. Magistrate recently attempted suppression but owing to bribes and lax officials it failed. Paying or bribing officials secures a permit for protected transportation. Opium use has increased since the war of 1925 owing to soldiers indulging in free trade. North Kiangau. Investigation in I districts surrounding Antung, no poppy is grown, but at Haichow 70 miles away on the coast it is
grown.
21
Opium smoking is not increasing.
SHANGHAI
This is one of the largest opium traffic centres in the world. Opium reaches the city from every part of China and abroad, Customs seizures and Mixed Court records are below. Some of the big deals are referred to in the opening review, they are valued in millions and amount to hundreds of tons.
The press reports that the Tupan has mortgaged the opium monopoly to an opium combine for an enormous sum. Military officials compose the combine in the provinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang, hence protests from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and Nanking were
nseless.
The Gentral Government in May 1925 sent a Commission 10 Shanghai to investiate the opium scandals. Nothing was revealed from their report.
In June 1925 three prominent Generals quarrelled over opium control in Shanghai, which ended in their body guards opening fire. Two Gen- erals were wounded and one killed. Police and soldiers have fought on several occasions for the possession of whole "junk loads" of opium.
It would take pages to review the opium history of Shanghai for 1925. Enough to say that millions of money can be made out of opium, and this is the easiest way to raise funds for civil wars and the main- tainance of armies.
Opium is limitless, and so is the demand,
The opiums combine has developed into such a scourge that the National Anti-Opium Association believes that it can only be removed through strong public opinion.
There are scores of opium shops operating in the Chinese city under the very eyes of the officials. The National Association in their report gives the names of 36 shops in the French Concession where opium is sold secretly. Members of their staff made purchases at six of these shops.
SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL
The imputation has often been made that foreigners are lenient to- wards opium smugglers and narcotic dealers. The International Anti- Opium Association asked for a report from Shanghai and this as enumerated below shows such imputation to be absolutely unfounded. The "Opium Preventive Squad" of the Municipal Council police deals exclusively with opium and narcotic smuggling, and their energy is to be commended.
Year
1923
1924
1925
For three years the statistics are as follows:
Number Prosecuted Fined Imprisoned
1903
3859
3242
Amount of Fines Impored
1664
81
$31,542
3354
260
$48,286
288:
278
$57.375
All these cases were brought before the Mixed Court.
504
+12
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