Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-11

effect Of the drug upon the Filipino, be-
cause 1t would require an extended and
to form an accurate opinion. We can only
generalfze on understood principles and
upon the presumption that your people here
are made Of the same clay and subject to
the same influences as other Malays.
Opium smoking Injuries the Malay more
than the Cinnamon" continued Bishop
Brent, because he has weaker constitu-
ton. He lacks the physical development.
organs and the strong nerves of the China
men. His system is weakened by the ener-
waiting climate in which he lives, by the
character of his food and by the indolent
life he leads, whereas the physical activity
Of the Chinese, their larger stature, better
development and greater vitality enable
them to resist the effects of opium upon
the nerves, the heart and digestive organs
of opium and alcohol, and the correspond,
ing effects. We found 1t the universal
opinion wherever we have been that even
moderate users of opium are knocked cut
If they do not have their regular doses
That is not true Of liquor. When man
acquires the opium habit. even to the small.
est degree, he cannot break 1t on without
feeling i'll effects. He must have his daily
dose. His entire system Graves 1t, even
though it is very small; but people VINO
use alcoholic liquor in moderation do not
feel the need of it in that way.
No Benefit From Opium.
EN- no sense is opium beneficial to any
person, Notwithstanding all you hear ana
read about the advantages of its use to the
hard working coolies. to the diseased and
the suffering. 1t may stimulate the weak
it may relieve pain. and 1t may enable a
man to forget trouble. but it does not help
him; it will not cure disease. 1t Is only a
temporary relief instead of cure. 1t sup
presses symptoms but does not remove
favor are therefore fallacious All Chinese
of intelligence whom we met are opposed
to the use of opium, and wish 1t could DE
abolished. Even those who are addicted
to it's use deplore the habit. for they con-
slider it an evil. Ii Hung Chang was one
of the largest opium growers and dealers
in the world. He had immense estates de-
voted to the raising of peoples and manu-
featured the drug. yet he was outspoken
in condemning its as destructive to
body and mind. Almost every Chinese
statesman has taken the same position.
You know how long and how hard the Chi
nese government fought to prevent the inn
portation of the drug into that empire.
Even those engaged in the business We
often found very candid in expressing opin-
ions. One gentleman whose name l prefer
not to mention. for he Is extensive deal
er in the drug, inquired whether we wanted
him to speak business man or as
Christian. We replied that We would like
his opinion from both points of view, where
upon he said that the opium business was
very profitable, that 1t was a necessary
business, that people demanded the drug,
and somebody must supply them There
fore he considered that he had as much
right to engage in the trade anybody;
but, speaking from the other point of view.
he considered 1t a deplOrable curse, one of
the most dreadful and destructive that has
ever fallen upon the human race"
Bishop Brent says he Is confident the
commission is capable of solving the opium
problem in satisfactory manner; he can
not say. of course, whether the recOmmen-
dations of his committee will be adopted.
but they will be submitted the net result
Of thorough and careful study of the ques-
ton and of the experience of other govern
ments. Speaking of the Philippine commits
sion. the bishop says that while he is not
things in the islands, so many people are
finding fault that he considers 1t his duty.
and the duty Of every patriotic citizen. to
uphold the hands of the officials and defend
them in all that is good. He had OCCASION
ally felt it his duty to criticise. but when he
had any objections to offer to the acts or
the policy of the administration he had
gone direct to the commissioners. They had
invariably received him with the greatest
consideration and he had found them to be
able, honest and conscientious men, Like
the rest of mankind they were liable to err
at times, and had made some mistakes
none very serious, however. and he ven
tured to express the opinion that their
critics would not have done half as we'll
If the public. particularly the American
colony in Manila, would be a little more
considerate he thought the commission
would give better satisfaction.
Bishop Brent sails for home in the sum-
mcr to attend the general convention OF
the EpiScopal Church in October.