CO129-522-4 China inland water- river and coastal trade- smuggling by British ships 12-12-1929 - 24-3-1930 — Page 36

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"Shipping and Engineering" 30th August, 1929.

OPIUM IN ICHANG.

Since Ichang stands at the termination of the

Gorges section of the Yangtze, all river-borne opium

coming out of Szechuen has to pass through the port and

most of it has to be transhipped there. With the new

and enlightened era of Nationalism recently established,

and its avowed intent to stamp out the opium traffic, one

would expect anti-opium work to be most active in the port.

Certainly the bureau designated as for the suppression of

opium plays an important part in the town's activities

and seems generously manned with civil staff and military

that forces to assist them. But the bureau is intended to

suppress the passage of opium through Ichang hardly seems

apparent to a casual observer.

Every incoming vessel from up river is boarded

and the transit duty on down-bound opium duly collected

from such members of the crew as are taking "a small chance"

Any attempt at evading this duty is severely dealt with

and the bureau officials seem well informed as to the

quantities of opium aboard, the actual carriers thereof

and, even, the places of concealment. There is no attempt whatever to stop or seize any opium where the carriers are duly prepared to pay the recognized transit dues or, in lieu thereof, hand over a due proportion of the opium. In foreign steamers, where the foreign staff may have some illusions left concerning the rights of the flag under which they sail

though such are hard of retention in a port like Ichang searches by the Bureau are only permitted in company with the regular Chinese Maritime Customs search parties. But, as these lead to disputes as to the retention of the opium seized, combined efforts are not popular with the Bureau officials. Even so, occasions have been known where the Bureau has graciously assented to

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