Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-13
OPIUM LAW ( FOR ISLANDS
Philippine Commission Passes Measure
Regulating Sale and Use of Drug.
MONEY REklIzEp UsEO TO nGHT RkBII
Report from MANILA Comes in Time
90 BE Used as supplement 60
Letter from secre-
tnry Taft.


WASHINGTON. March 12.-The president
today sent to congress. the report of the
opium commission appointed in 1904 to in
vestigate the use of opium in the Philip
pines and to suggest means for its regu-
lation. The report itself, in outline. has
already been published. but in view Of the
earnest efforts Of Christian clergymen and
rerormatory societies TO stop the traffic in
opium IN the Philippines. and adoption
since the publication Of the report, the
letter froal Secretary Taft, which accom-
panies the presidents message TO congress,
may De Of interest. He says in part:
My Dear MIR. President: I have the honor
to enclose herewith for transmission to
congress the report of the commission APP
pointed by the Philippines commission to
investigate the use OF opium and the traf-
nc therein ana the rules, ordlhances ana
laws regulating such use and traffic IN
Japan, Formosa, Shanghai Hong Kong
Saigon, Singapore, Burnah, Java and the
The Jaw in force in the Philippine islands
under the government of Spain made IL
unlawful for any Filipino TO smoke or use
opium In any way. 1t permitted, however,
a license to issue for the maintenance Of
opium smoking resorts, to be patronized
only by the Chinese, and. police supervision
was exercised over the resorts, and any
Filipino found there was arrested and pun
ished. The owner OF the resort was also
punished for conniving at the F1lipino's
violation of the law. 1t Is generally
thought that the law was fairly well en-
forced. and the spread OF the drug among
tho Fiiipinos was much retarded by its en-
When the American troops entered Ma
Mia and took possession OF the islands the
Spanish onfum law was not continued in
force. A duty was Imposed on opium and
towns w9Fe enJohed e. pass o9 6pa Tes
Such information as the COMMISSION could
obtain Indicated that the suspension Of the
Spanish law had led TO an increase Of the
of the drug among F1ltptnOS.
American Law Deferred.
Early In 1893 there was introduced in the
Philippine commission for enactment into
law g bill following IN some respects , the
turc, that the sale of opium to Ftlipinos
and its use by them be absolutely pro-
members of the house. II was very vigor-
ously opposed by the clergymen OF the city
OF Manila Indeed, so strong was as, their
table the bill and to appoint a committee
authorized &c visit the various Oriental
countries to Investigate the measures taken
by the different governments for the pur-
pose of suppressing the use of opium
This committee made it's report to the Phil
ippine commission in June 1904. The report
was not transmitted hy the Philippine
commission 10 this department until last
August. The time since then has been
taken in the printing OF IL and the correc-
tlon OF typographical and other eorrors
contained In II.
New Law Enacted.
supplement TO the seoretarys letter
contains cablegram received from the
governor general of the Philippine islands
at Manila, indicating that the public discus
sion of the proposed opium bill has been
finished and that the bill was passed. There
was little opposition except from clergy
men,, who favored government monopoly,
but in view of the short time before total
prohibition, was not strenuous in its ad-
a, oIt ~ ,r,1fc io
announced in the report. that the estimate
of government monopoly, with the neces-
sary force of employees, was impracticable,
in view of the fact that importation and
use of opium was to be prohibited after
about two years, under the act OF con-
gross approved March 3, 1905.
The bill in its general terms provides for
the abolition of the opium traffic, in ac-
cordance with the provisions of this act of
congress. which prohibits the importation
OF opium in whatever FORM after March l.
1905. except by the government and for
medicinal purposes only. and makes 1t I'M
lawful at any time TO sell opium to any
native of the Philippine islands except foI
medicinal purposes.
Native Use Forbidden.
The commissions proposed high license
bill makes IL unlawful TO sell opiIm to any
native Of the Philippine islands except fol
medicinal purposes, and the provisions as
to license shall apply only TO the Chinese
and only to those of the Chinese who art
now habitual users OF the drug; It penal
ICES any use of opium, unless prescribed by
a physician, by any except registered hab
itual users among the Chinese, who are
required TO pay a license of pesos, and
who must use the drug in their own resi-
dences; authorizes use by hospitals anC
physicians and sale by pharmacists to ply
sicians prescriptions penalties possession
except by authorized persons; provides ma
chinery regulating Wholesale and retail
dealers; regulates sales, Withdrawals and
records, substantially as with liquors IL
internal revenue law; requires license anC
bond for wholesale dealers and imposes
high license on wholesale and retail dealers
The bill provides that revenues received
from this source are TO be used in dissiml
lting information concerning the evils o
opium using, payment OF hospital expense
OF habltual users desiring cure. payment o
the expenses OF Filipino students in tn
United States salaries OF Filipino teacher
In the islands and the construction Of schoo
buildings