Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-03
OPIUM TRADE IN CHINA
MOVEMENT TO CLOSE UP
PLACES IN SHANGHAI.
Special Cablegram to The Star

Special Cablegram to The Star
SHANGHAI, August 3.-Strenuous efforts
are being made by the taotai, it is claimed
here. to close the opium-smoking esta blish-
ments. Considerable skepticsm, some of
which is, perhaps justifiable, is expressed
as to the bona flde success Of the measure,
in view of the customary native procedure
of carrying out the letter Of official instruc-
tons. while actual preventive measures
that might be Of value are neglected. There
has been a considerable show Of military
preparations In order to check possible dis
turbances on the part Of the habitual
smokers, and there has been quite an
influx of such people into the settlements
employed by a rabble Of employees and
loafers.
In number, size and character the opium
houses in the native city are insignificant
compared with those in the settlements.
Already there are indications that a strong
demand will be made for the closing Of the
licensed opium houses In the settlements.
This step would undoubtedly have dis
astrous enects as long as the growth of the
poppy over a wide area remains unchecked
and the Importation OF opium Is permitted.
1t has been suggested that possible solu-
ton to the question is that China should
give evidence OF her bona fde desire to
stamp out the vice by showing herself will
Ing to contribute an equivalent revenue
from the moneys received from the import
duty on the drug in addition to defraying
the extra cost of police surveillance.
A Significant Notice.
PEKING, August 3.-The following notice
has been issued according to Tientsin
paper by the Chih-n office Of native opium
consolidated taxation:
Having been i-iormed that there are
unlawful people Lretending to be Yamen
runners. who biackmaIl farmers under
cover Of the imperial edict prohibiting the
cultivation Of the poppy. leading the farm
ers to think that 1t is necessary to change
their occupation and sometimes resulting
in the land being uncultivated, let it be
known that the CROWNS of poppies is not
to be discontinued. Although the edict
orders the suppression Of opium smoking,
the cultivation Of the poppy is not to be
stopped at once. but gfradually in ten
years. This is the instruction Of the gov
eminent
"The land where the poppy is grown is
not to be taxed. and the plant may be
grown in any part Of the country provided
one consolidated tax is paid. II opium Is
suppressed. great source of revenue for
the state trea sury will be removed. and It
would therefore suffers great injury should
no steps be taken to prevent these black
matters from carrying out their schemes.
The public is, therefore. notified that the
poppy farmers are to attend to their busi-
ness, as usual, and in case any attempt
Is made to blackmail them, let them at
once bring the persons concerned before
this office. which will hand them over to the
local authorities for punishment"
1t has been suggested that this should
give pause to those who, trusting to the
sincerity or efficacy of the Chinese edicts
In restraint Of the use Of opium, are en-
deavoring to urge the government Of India
and even other governments in other coun-
tries into drastic action looking to the
abolition Of poppy growing. Any person
who understands the oriental mind readily
understands what the effect of such
notice has upon the natives.