CO129-522-4 China inland water- river and coastal trade- smuggling by British ships 12-12-1929 - 24-3-1930 — Page 40

North-China Daily News, Shanghai 7th September.1929.

Opium on the Yangtze

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The recent case at Kiukiang of the tide-waiter Anderson, who

was accused of takin; a bribe to pass smuggled opium and, after a very irregular trial, was heavily sentenced, directs a ttention to the traffic in opium along the Yangtze. Several reports have reached us on this subject through the Shipping companies, and it is not too much to say that the trade is quite open and apparently quite uncontrollable. Foreign shipmasters have practically given up trying to prevent opiu

being put aboard their vessels: it is too dangerous. An enquiry was recently made by one shipping firm from consular quarters as to the

instructions given to its Officers in respect of the transport of opium. The answer was that the company's officers were strictly

ordered to carry no opiw, but if the e xecution of this order appeared

of likely to involve the use/force, the instructions were that officers

were to act only under the authority and with the cooperation of the

consul. Here is a recent extract from the log of one river ship,

which illustrates the condition of things. It may be said that there

is no direct evidence that the packages mentioned contained opium,

but in all circu stances there can be little doubt that they were:

Hankow. Time and Date. Several sampans with uniformed armed guards seen passing goods on board - presumably opiun. Customs officer was notified and stated he had seen nothing went to investigate and failed to re-appear. Ship left pontoon and was hove to but as no further steps were taken by Customs, proceeded on voyæe.

-

none

Kiukiang. Customs searched ship for contraband reported found. Officer in charge of party notified of existence of opium on board before search began.

None found.

ed found.

Vicinity of northeast crossing. Ship searched for contraband.

Chinkiang. Customs searched ship for contraband. None report-

Hankow-Shanghai. Packages, presumably opium, were observed to be discharged overboard to sampans etc. at the following points on the voyage down river:- Hunter Island, three packages, Teikong Station, one package etc. etc.

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