The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-01
The Millle oyerhaullng sehooner.

from given port with cargo Of contra
band opium was as much as u say that the
goods would be delivered 10 the eOnslgDees
with as much certainty as II regularly man
Tested On n subsidized mail steamer.
The HalcyOn has never been known to
: fail. and 1t is the opinion Of nearly every
old hand on the city front that she will not
fail now.
II she comes into this port, not an ounce
of opium or solitary Celestial will be
found on board OF her.
The customs officials have redoubled
their efforts TO intercept the schooner on the
southern trip from Victoria.
Besides engaging the tug Milile to look
out for her at the heads, tugs have been
sent as far north as B0dega aud as Tar south
as Pigeon Point
This represents line OF about 1870 miles,
but there are 1000 miles and more of un-
guarded c0astllne in California alone, and
the Halcyon has the choice of at least 100
hooks and cOVes where the stuff can be run,
ashore without the slightest fear Of him
drance or detection.
That the skipper will put his head in the
lions mouth by running IN here is regarded
as the widest OF absurd Ideas by those who
know anything Of the methods Of the opium
ring
In an interview with an ex-cffieial possess
ing unusual facilities for information Il re-
porter was shown something Of the working
OF the Illicit opium trade via British CO.
lumbia.
1.-The ring" said he, SIS we'll organized,
wealthy, and has agents in nearly every
important town on the Pacific Coast, as well
as In Honolulu. Hong Kong Yokohama,
Auckland and Sydney. So long as Snug
CLING opium pays 20 per cent profit so long
risks will be cheerfully accepted. No seiz-
ure Of any consequence has been made by
the present administration, except one by
Inspector N0yes about year ago
Under the previous administration only
enc important seizure was made and ii Is
claimed by those Who have the opportunity
of studying the thing that whenever a
seizure has been made IL has been stuff that
was being handled by parties outside the
ring. Politics cuts no figure In the business.
The Collector OF the Port cannot get away
from the disagreeable conviction that about
$4,000 worth OF contrabaDd opium finds its
way into San Francisco every month.
.:"As TO the rHmor that the Halcyon will
trauship her cargo at Honolulu" pursued
the eX-Official, that Is an old dodge.
Zone of the sugar briggs was overhauled as
she came into this port about six months
ago and lot Of contraband opium was
found. But don't see any reason why the
Halcyon should 60 to Honolulu.
.'She is one of the fleetest sailors on the
ceast and can sail around any OF the tugs
that have gone out after her.
Even il chased to close quarters she can
dump her cargo without the slightest fear
OF detection, ana for the rest there is not
revenue cutter at present on the station.
The Rush, the Corwin and the Bear are
all away in Boring Sea. and for the mat
ter of that not one Of these could catch the
Halcy0n except in dead calm
Meanwhile the harbor is astir with tugs
rowboats and hired craft manned by eager
officials.
They are seeking to dIsprove the idea that
or n
port of the authorities.
But for all that not one man In hundred
familiar with the history of opium SNUG
Cling doubts that in some nook or crook on
the coast the Halcyon is quietly diseharg-
ing her cargo of opium and coolies or thai
she Is speeding over the waters to the para
disc OF the Pacific to get rid of the stuff by
transhipment to one of the many craft
which have lately left here on hunting
and fishing trip"