The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-13
United States Officers Make :
Thorough Investigation.
MILLIONS or REVENUE LOST,
Ninety-Five Out Of Every Hundred
Cinnamon Landed Struggled In.
The Organized Band Of smussiers Have
Spies and Aids I'm Every Seaport and
Importsnt Town In the Northwest aud
Defy Detection and Arrest.

NkW 1O6ks OCts lz.-lcpec19l. r. Inc
Herald Washington correspondent has pre-
pared an extended article from facts OBJ
tanned by government officer who during
the past few months has been investigating
the smuggling Of opium and Chinese into
the United States. He says during the
year 1889 something like 10000 pounds Of
prepared or smoking opium was smuggled
into the United States, and this govern
ment thereby deprived of the revenue tax.
amounting to 81 300 900. In the space OF
twenty months, from March. 1887, until
December. 1884. there we're landed in
British Columbia 6.8i8 Cinnamon. four
fifths OF whom were smuggled into the
United States. These figures are derived
from estimates based upon reports and
statistics Of importation furnished by
British custom officers in ports Of British
Columbia
Congress several years ago enacted . law
placing IN import duty Of SO per pound
upon smoking opium brought into this
country. Notwithstanding this heavy
duty, the regular importation Of opium
through legal channels and upon which
duty was paid amounted to 81 10000 last
year. Tho estimated amount Of opium
smuggled, added to this sum, will just
about reach the amount of the yearly inn
portations ct the time the tax wes im-
posed.
For several months past United States
officers have been engaged making . thor
ough and silent investigation Of the traffic,
modes Of carrying it on, and looking for
remedy for the evil The treasury depart
ment is astounded at the extent of
the smuggling, as shown by the
investigations OF the officers. The depart
ment has reason to believe that the evil Is
even greater than is shown by the figures
presented. The average cargo Of opium is
5000 pounds. and sometimes larger. A
portion Of the opium is retained for the use
of the Chinese population of the district
and the remainder, nine-tenths OF the
whole importation. is smuggled into the
United States, 30 British customs officers
say.
OF Cinnamon who land in British Co
lumbia. ninety-five out Of every hundred
are bound for the United States, and get
there. There are two routes which SNUG
glers have to get Cinnamon and opium
into the United States. One Of them il
overland and the other is bv water. on
Puget sound. The routes are used g the
exigencies of the occasion dsmand. The
start in either case is from the same point
Vancouver or Victoria. The smugglers
gain their point without difficulty, and
tack Of protection along the border enables
them to carry on the work without much
interference.
The safety Of smueRlers. their immunity
from detection and arrest, and the success
of their undertakings. are largely
due to the extensive underground
and secret system of communi-
cation which exists among members
Of the 'ring' which is represented by
agents in Hong Kong. Victoria. Vancouver,
Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsand, San
francisco. New York and Chicago, and
extends its ramiications to every seaport,
town and village and railway station in the
Northwest. The question naturally arises,
why does not the government take steps to
prevent this work? The government tries,
but the attempt to overcome the evil is SO
small, in proportion to the extent of the
evil. a. to be altogether impracticanle.