Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
OPIUM DEhS CLOSED
Trying to Suppress the Traffic
=
in China.
coNsULs NOT UNANIMOUS
Action in Regard to Concessions De-
layed.
GREAT LOSS IN REVENUE
Government Income From Trade II
the Drug Estimated at $5, OOO,-
600 Annually.

State Department in regard to the progress
of the government movement for the sup
preston Of the opium traffic throughout the
Chinese empire.
early in December says the consul
general, 1.-The customs taotai, by special In
struction Of the viceroy, issued orders that
all dens should be closed on or before De-
cember Is, 1905. On the doors of each
shop or den was posted notice: Stop
smoking and collecting accounts Special
officers were appointed to see that the or
der was fully obeyed, and on the day ap-
pointed all the dens, numbering about 2,oOO,
were closed. In the order the viceroy de-
clared that as the abolition of the opium
trade is one Of the most essential and
important reforms in connection with the
present reform movement and prepare
ton for the promised Introduction of con-
stitutional government and in view OF the
great harm the dangerous foreign drug mas
done since its Introduction into this coun-
try, 1t Is absolutely necessary to devise
means to abolish the trade, which can only
bring the greatest harm to the Chinese
people. AS the dealers have capital they
may turn to other business instead or Keep
ing opium shops.
"Ali the keepers of Chinese hotels, res
taurants, singsong houses and places or
i'll repute were warned that they would De
fined $500 and receive 100 blows with the
pipes for opium-smoking after the date
mentioned.
Action Of Foreign Consuls.
"By instructions of the viceroy the Gus
toms taotai communicated the action taken
by the Chinese authorities to the several
consuls representing foreign concessions,
and asked their cooperation in suppressing
the dens that might be located in said con-
cessions. This appeal was Immediately con-
sented to by the British and Japanese con-
suls general. The German consul oroereo
that all such places in the German con-
cession be closed March !, I9Oi. Inc
French. Austrian and Italian consuls have
accepted the principle, but have not yet
set definite time when the shops IN their
concessions will be closed, but are IN
clined to set the time six months ahead. But
this will soon be settled by meeting OF
the consuls interested, which will take place
one day the coming week. Inc hu sslaI
consul has taken no action yet. but Will
probably do so at the meeting mentioned.
"A number of small officials and citizens
have been arrested for violation OF the law
and were severely punished.
THE army board has drawn up reguia-
tons to the effect that every one in con-
nection with the troops must stop the habit
before the Chinese new year (t'ebruary ID
1900. Army officers continuing to smoke
after that date will be cashiered. and any
soldiers or sailors still smoking Will De ols-
missed and punished.
"It is commonly supposed that opium has
always been tabooed in the army, and Of
fcially Is not sanctioned, as 1t Is CONSIDERED
one of the greatest difficulties which those
responsible for military efficiency in time OF
need have to contend with, as opium makes
the men both moral and physical towards.
and is an enemy to discipline
Great Loss Of Revenue.
1.-THE viceroys and governors have been
urged by the Picking government to send In
details about the import, cultivation and
consumption Of the drug in their respective
jurisdictions as soon as possible, so that
proper regulations may be issued without
unnecessary delay. 1t is said that the first
and foremost difficulty in the matter is how
to procure such an enormous sum of money
to. replace the opium revenue every year If
the traffic were abolished within the fixed
period
I'm 1905 there was imported into China
81 $50 piculs of opium, of the total value Of
"a ,O7OO21 taels.
"As to the amount Of native opium pro-
duced we have very little information. The
only index Of the internal movement of ma
tive opium is found in the statistics Of the
Ichang customs, and there, including both
steamer-borne and junk-borne, the guam
tity of 1905 was 1911 piculs, on which the
uniform tax was taels 118. 93 per picul. 1t
is safe. therefore, to conclude that the in
opium trade is not far from 10000 HK taels
equal to United States gold) ISL 100000 an
nually.
THE vast importation In 1905, together
with the amount of native opium produced,
almost staggered belief, and renewed eff
forts were made by the anti-opium leagues
throughout the empire, who were assisted
by the missionaries. and as result one Of
the greatest possible reforms has been in
augurated. Already importation has greatly
decreased, and it is hoped that the importa-
ton and production Of 1905 will be decreased
by one-half in 1907.
I'm this connection it is worthy of note
that hospitals are being erected in Tientsin
by the charitably inclined, where good med
zeal attention is promised for all who will
avail themselves of treatment
1T is also worthy of note that Tang Shao
1. one of the vice presidents at Peking has
proposed that a crusade by preaching" be
organized throughout the eighteen provinces
In order to reach the ear of the millions of
illiterates who use opium. He declared that
for some years to come China will need all
the help she can get If the same interest
Is being taken in all the other provinces
that is being shown in the province of Chilli
the movement will be "a grand success"