CO129-522-4 China inland water- river and coastal trade- smuggling by British ships 12-12-1929 - 24-3-1930 — Page 41

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the

The log goes on with a complete list of all the stations where opium was discharged to sampans or to pontoon. The list totals no

fewer than forty-eight packages and in one case - the Wuhu pontoon

amount discharged is estimated at one picul. The above record should

not be taken as reflecting on the Customs officers. They are in the

same position as masters of ships. The evidence is overwhelming that

the opium travels under the care of guards who would not hesitate to

use violence to prevent the stuff from being seized, and the Customs

up-river at least, have no force at disposal strong enough to over-

power them.

The question is, Who will check the traffic? The case of the

opium seized on board the Str. Kiangan at Shanghai last December will

be fresh in every memory. In spite of the uproar among all Chinese

the opium disappeared and the guilty parties were never brought to

light.

About the same time our Ichang correspondent reported a regular scale of payment drawn up by the Szechanese generals for freight

of opium and allowances to persons concerned in its transport. There appears no reason to suppose that things have improved in the

intervening months. It cannot be supposed that the Government is

ignorant of what is going on or approves it, but how the traffic can

be s topped is another matter. The only practicable course would seem

to be to press on with the disbandment scheme, which, we take it, is

designed not only to cut down the number of troops but to bring their leaders u. der better control. In this connection, special emphasis may be laid on the importance of Mr. T. V. Soong's wish to put the

disbanding in the hands of local civilian committees for the payment

of all monies. After all, reform in respect of opium, like most other things, depends mainly upon the effectiveness of public opinion and

co-operation.

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