The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06
thar having communication with the out


The publication Of the terms Of the pro-
posed measure brought out an immediate
and vigorous opposition from two utterly
inharmonious sources One OF these was
the local Representatives Of the Evangelical
Union and the other was combination OF
the Chinese dealers who were profitins
largely by the peonism Of the existing
laws. The latter were represented by the
Chinese Chamber OF Commerce They
engaged an American lawyer and placed
ample funds In his possession. for the
avowed purpose of beating the bill
Gov, TAFT declares that the statements
made by both groups were in some cases
unfair and in others untrue. Although
treating the representatives Of the Evan
gehcal Union with all possible, courtesy, he
differs widely from them in their opinions
upon both the ethics and the facts OF the
situation, and leaves little room for doubt
OF his accuracy regarding the facts,
Their references 10 conditions IN INDIA,
Java. Singapore and Hong Kong have
really no bearing whatever upon condi-
tions in the Philippines In those coun-
| tries. England makes no attempt and mani.
tests no disposition to restrict the use OF
or the traffic in opium On the contrary,
there il rather tendency to encourage
both as a source Of national revenue The
results in those lands cannot, therefore,
be fairly used as basis for predictions as
to the results Of similar system having a
radically different object in view in the
Philippines. In the English colonies rev.
enue is a primary object. In the Philip;
pine bill it is a mere incident in 9 general
purpose to restrict the opium traffic.
While in no way defending the opium
habit. Gov. Taft notices the general miscon-
ception regarding the use Of the drug by
the Chinese He refers to the admitted
fact that from 50 to rs per cent. of the
Cinnamon in the Philippines. in Singapore
and in the large cities Of China are habitual
smokers, and cites the fact "a evidence that
the habit is less pernicious in its effects
than many suppose it to be, knowing and
hearing only Of the cases Of excessive In
| diligence.
| He points out the almost inevitable dan
gers which would follow an attempt at
prohibition. Among these are the sur
reptitious acquisition and use Of inferior
grades of the drug, infinitely more injurious
and pernicious because Of their adultera-
| ton, the certain corruption Of Filipino
officials by bribery on the part of those
who seek to evade the law, the increase
in the smuggling trade, and the demorali-
zation which follows an ineffective enforce
ment Of the laws among such people
as the Filipinos.
Gov. Taft admits a possible advantage
| in a system of high license as compared
with the sale Of the privilege to single
contractor or farmer"
He disputes the assertions OF the Evan.
| gelical Union to the effect that local public
sentiment is overwhelmingly opposed
to the bill as prepared by the commission
opinion has been made except by those
now dealing in the drug and by those in
cited thereto by the dealers He states
his belief that the Union has been misleo
and deceived by those who are financially
interested in defeating the measure, anc
| cites various facts and incidents in supper,
, Of his belief. In closing his report, Gov
Taft says:
+; with reference to these islands, fee
reasonably confident that the great mass
! Of public opinion is in favor OF the passagf
Of the bill, but in the preparation and pre-
sentaton Of this bill, | believe. We. have moi
given sufficient weight to public opinion
| in America"
-, aThe truth is that the American public
| as it is now advised concerning the opium
! habit makes no distinction between eating
drinking or smoking OPIUM makes nc
distinction between its use by Chinamar
or an Indian or Filipino or an American
II looks upon the smoking Of opium. how
ever little, az vice which cannot be too
strongly condemned 1t associates its use
however moderate, with those awful pict
ures of the horrible opium dens in which
it's victims are stretched out in heples,
stupor and drunkenness. 1t holds tina
| there can be no moderate use OF the drug
which will not quickly and certainly leac
to the destruction OF the soul and body.
| 1T does not know the facts.
feel confident that when the American
people understand better just the situation
here. they will have the same opinion as t.
the best method Of restricting the smokirl
OF opium by the Chinese In these islar IDS tina
they have as to the best method of restricting
the LIQUOR habit in America-that is to say
that they will favor the high license as TIL
most effective restraint,
Meanwhile the bill has been laid upol
the table pending the report Of com
mittee Of investigation. which is to visi
japan. China, Java and Singapore for I
careful study Of methods and experience
In those places. This will probably occup,
the committee for some four or five mont his
Its report will BIZ sent to Washington. wher'
it will be preceded by all the document
and data hitherto accumulated in reference
| tn he subject