Evening journal., 1891-10-12
MULCTED or MILLIONS.
How Opium Smugglers Cheat
Uncle Sam.
ONE REVENUE GUTTER TO DODGE


Ehinamen and Opium Brought Into the
United states from British Columbia
by an Organised Band Of Freeboaters
who Do Not Hesitate to Use Force.
VICTORIA, b. c., Oct. 12-The question
d the smuggling Of Chinese and opium
icross the northwestern border OF the
United States will undoubtedly be one of
the FIRST to receive the attention Of the
Boming congress- and will take its place
kmong the most important subjects OF
legislation. It is said that the invasions Of
lhe revenue and anti-Chinese laws by the
wholesale smuggling OF opium and coolies
across the border from British Columbia
sauses loss OF revenue to the United
States of over 81, o00, 900 annually.
A Band Of smuggIers.
The depredations upon the United States
austoms revenues which are being daily
carried on by smugglers eaet Of the Rocky
mountains are but a drop in the bucket
and pale into relative insignihcance when
compared with the gigantic frauds being
perpetrated upon the United States gov
eminent in the Puget sound customs dis
Erict
The placid waters Of this great inland
SEA, Png@ sound and the Staff Of Juan de
Fuca the wooded islands that dot It's sur
face furnish modes Of access and places of
shelter for a band Of daring smugglers
who break the laws Of the United States
without conjunction and perpetrate gi-
mnuffr frnuHa mar, ffa rayaunaa
Vast quantities Of prepared opium are
Hmuggled monthly, every pound OF It
meaning loss of twelve dollars customs
revenue to the United States treasury
Thousands Of Chinese Landed.
Thousands Of Cinnamon, prescribed by
law, are annually landed by bold freeboot-
ers upon the shores Of the state OF Wash
lngton. cared for and given shelter and
employment by their own countrymen for
short time and then scatter to various
portions OF the Union. Smuggling is an
organized business on Puget sound. Cap
ltal is invested and a fleet Of sailing yes
esls and three small steamers engaged in
the business return handsome profits to
their owners.
They Even Use Force.
The lawless men engaged In the business
do not hesitate to use force to protect
themselves from customs officers and two
weeks ago a gang OF smugglers over
powered a United States customs officer
and threatened his life, sparing IL only
upon condition that be abandon his post,
which he did
1t is not alone the rough and hardy men
engaged In running the cargoes who are
responsible for the evil Reputable cit
liens there are OF Victoria and Vancouver
in British Columbia and Seattle and Port
Townsend in Washington who give the
protection Of their influence aud furnish
money for conducting the business
A prominent city official Of the city Of
Victoria Is the principal owner OF small
steamer which Is said to be used almost
exclusively 20 land Cinnamon and opium
upon the American shore.
Threefoid Crime.
The crime Of the smugglera is a three
fold one. II il q crime upon the revenues
Of the government, the stealing OF money,
grand larceny. Il is a crime upon the
morals OF the nation by introducing in al.
most unlimited quantities q drug prohib.
lied by law, a drug that fosters aud per
petuatas the horrible vice Of opium smok
ing aud the opium habit. IL is a Grim,
upon labor by foisting annually upon The
workman OF the land thousands upon
thousands Of Chinese pauper laborers
whose entrance into this country is sternly
and strictly prohibited by the act Of con.
gress
How They Dodge the walcott.
A petty handful Of brave men placed By
the treasury department are exerting L
their utmost TO check the traffic, but the,
are as a corporals guard confronting
regiment. One revenue cutter with crew
Of only eight men plies night and day OF
the sound under command OF a vigilan
and energetic captain, but tho distance Il
be covered is 80 great that il is impossible
to protect more than a small portion o
khe waterway, while dozen routes availa
BILE for the smugglers are necessarily lef
nnauarded
The United States revenue cutter Wal
sott usually makes her anchorage at por
Townsend When she weighs anchor an
iteams away Ia given direction the in
formation Is flashed over the wires TO Viz
soria, and the next day comes rumor OF a
expedition landed somewhere in an OF
posite direction from the scene Of he
cruising When the word reaches Nictori
that a favorable opportunity exists f.
landing a smuggling expedition, the slooT
that are to be engaged in II stand out
harbor with their nets displayed, "goin
after fish, They work their way aroun
to the eastward, and before nightfall con
10 another in the little bay back OF Di
rovery island or in Finley inlet
Before sundown a man on Discovery is
and headland sweeps the sound with
powerful glass for sight OF a suspicion
sail
In the meantime the cargo OF ChinRms
o. opium has been shipped out Of Victor
and carried overland TO the appointed re
AAzvouA IL is quickly loaded aboard, al
bhen the anchor is weighed, the big mai
sail set and the clipper little craft 81
AWAY and stands of down the sound I
ward the United States shore.
Heres q Very Small BABY.
NoRwA1K, Conn, Oct. 12.A girl ba'
~ 81 fe.,t s,a, q