The morning call., 1891-10-19

vessels from China loaded with the Celes-
tials and with thousands of pounds of the
drug, on which there is a duty of S12 a
pound, land at Puget Sound ports and dis
charge their cargoes. The onium is hidden
away until good opportunity offers and is
then smuggled across the border at various
points between Victoria and Detroit. The
Chinesefare more easily disposed OF. They
frequently get into the United States within
tweniy-fOur hours after being landed.
1t is well-knOwn fact that Chinaman
always has money. The majority of them
landing from China are under contract with
some of the Chinese conn panies and through
them are kept supplied with money On
landing in a Canadian port, Chinaman
for $50 gets a certificate emitting him to
live in the Dominion. He stays there only
long enough for good chance to get across
the border into the United States. This is
comparatively easy at hundred points
along the thousands of miles of border
traversed by the Canadian Pacific. De-
troit is a favorite point for all Cinnamon
entering the United States from Canada,
and while dozens of them are arrested
nearly every day and returned to Canada,
nearly all of them eventually succeed in
evading the officers and getting into this
country. 1t costs a Chinaman anywhere
from $40 to $50 to hire boatman to take
him across the river near Detroit and land
him at some secluded spot. Confederates
then assist him to some interior city. where
he gets employment.
The Treasury Department, while-hard at
work seeking to stop this practice, Is more
seriously engaged in trying to prevent the
wholesale smuggling of opium. The great
er part of this illegal traffic is conducted
along the Puget Sound. The city of Vict0-
ria is the headquarters of big gang, but
numerous rendezvous exist along the shores
of Washington and Oregon. A Victoria
there is a fleet of some forty vessels osten-
siblv fishing craft, but who carry on the
traffic of smuggling opium and Cinnamon
from ships standing off shore to the main
land, and almost everybody is cogn;Zant of
it. Indeed, public opinion in British Co.
lumbia Is favorable to the unlawful trade,
and the smugglers are aided and protected.
The vessels that land the opium also land
the Cinnamon. There was big landing of
both recently near Port Townsend. and the
methods employed indicate in a general way
how it is being done. The cOntraDand goods
were landed at small cove by steamer
about O'Clock one morning. and before the
officers, who had word of the matter, could
reach the scene all the Chiramen, about
fifty in number, had disappeared in the
wood, and were next day hidden among
their fellow countrymen in neighboring
towns. The opium was similarly disposed
of.
1t is said that there are vast storehouses
for this drug at convenient points along the
border. where the opium is kept aud at
favorable opportunities is sent into the
United States. The bulk of it comes to San
Francisco. where it is disposed of. The
revenue officers are now working at this end
of the line, trying to ascertain whu are in 1t.
The existence of the evil is largely due to
the inability of the Treasury Department
to have a larger force of men employed to
patrol the coast and watch suspected
places. II would be difficult matter. too.
because there are some mingling In official
circles mixed up in the scheme who take
care thatany step that may be contemplated
hostile to the smugglers is instantly conf
muuicated to them, and they are prepared
and act accordingly.
A singular fart that the smuggling of
opium has brought to light is this: The
heavy import duty of So. and the internal
revenue tax of $40 pound additional upon
the domestic manufacture, were intended as
prohibitory measures to keep the drug out
of the country Yet, when the Government
makes seizure of the contrabaud drug, in
stead of destroying it, it is sold at auction,
and usually the opium ring buys it.
Canada is realizing handsome profit out
of the business at the expense OF the United
States, hence its apathy. 1t gets $50 per
head for all Cinnamon and 81 per pound
for all opium, while the United States does
not get a cent.