The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-03
Bx EX-ATTACHE.


tionaI conference, summoned for the pur-
pose of dealing with the opium problem
When one speaks Of opium. the very
mention Of the drug suggests abuse
thereof. just IN the same way as when
one talks OF drink
But while here in America and IN Eu-
rope we are disposed 70 manifest some
Indulgence with regard to Hquor, 10
view its use in moderation with tolera-
ton. and 10 punish intOxication with
comparative Ieniency. the notion that
any one is addicted TO opium IS sufficient
here as well as in Europe TO place him
under the ban OF public opinion. and
even beyond the pale of the law
Were this view universal. the labors OF
the international congress on opium
would be considerably facilitated For
the congress would have nothing TO do
hut merely devise some international leg
isIation prohibiting the production OF
opium and ;he sale OF the drug. except
for strictly medicinal purposes This,
however. is out Of the question
Just in the same way that alcohol has
its advocates. who condemn on the score
or health the strict enforcement Of total
abstinence and advocate the consump-
ton OF wine. beer. and even Of spirits in
moderation. so. too has opium its de-
Tenders. who insist that what drink IS 10
the American and European the poppy
product in its various forms is 70 the
races Of the Orient. and il IS argued that
10 would be just as unreasonable TO al
tempt 20 stop by legislation the use OF
opium in the Orient as il would be 20
seek 70 arrest the drinking Of stimulants
here in the New World and in Europe
by means Of statutes.
Of course We have in this country. as
in Great Britain and in various parts Of
the continent. prohibitory legislation
which penalties the sale Of liquor But
no State. province. or town has ever at
tempted 10 make the actual drinking Of
alcohol a misdemeanor as long as ii IS
not productive Of intoxication. Yet there
is no doubt that public sentiment on both
sides Of the Atlantic is IN favor OF for
bid5tag not merely the sale. but even the
consumption OF opium.
The members Of the congress are there
fore confronted by the necessity Of being
obliged to defer on the one hand 20 popu-
lar feeling in their respective countries
on the subject Of opium. and, on the
other hand. 10 accord consideration 10
the arguments Of those who. acquainted
with the Orient. Insist that the drug.
taken in moderation. is as conducive TO
the health and welfare Of the Asiatic as
Sc az
or European.
Another difficulty Of a very serious
character in connection with the question
IS the fact that the government Of British
India derives a considerable portion Of
its revenue. that Is 10 say. some So. 00000)
or Ss1H1r3 from the production and sale
Of opium as q state monopoly. Having
thus formed for nearly seventy years a
most important feature or The revenues
Of the Crown. the British government
naturally feels a certain hesitation about
complying with the demand that il
should put a stop 70 the cultivation Of
the poppy. as well as to the uanufac-
fCTe Of the drug and 70 It's sale for con
sumption either in India or in China. OF
any other part Of the world
Public agitation in the United King
dom has compelled the government 20 go
"a - ~ t-l.--il '.-o' 2. p =
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sr-ic+ ~ ...-1+iy-ario,, ,f -rs -,o-r,,- and
the manufacture of the drug in their
oun Gominions the Indian government
VIII follow suit. and VIII reduce the
manufacture and sale OF opium IN King
Edwards great Oriental empire.
But il has not as yet been able 70 Sc
u does not see the advantage Of reduc-
irE the output # such action is merely
destined 20 increase the Chinese product
moreover. some years VIII Dc required
before Il viii he possible 20 devise fresh
sources OF revenue sufficient 10 yield the
S-7.FH.oH or SlE0e3 now obtained by
means CT the aforesaid government mo-
nopoiy-
what with the new railroads that are
being built in every direction. criss-
crossing all India Ike a huge niece o.
network. and the great irrigation works
,s.s.s-.5 q, 49, -, .--s--.,-.-,
SoDioS o. 'e country ana 70 aver
those terrible tamlDeS BY which India has
been visited from time immemoriaI-that
is 10 say. work entailing colossal expen-
diture-the natives are taxed quite as
heavily as they can bear. and the idea OF
adding 70 the weight Of the burden by
new fmposts designed 70 supply the Teve-
nue. now furnished by the opium mo-
nopoly IS not one calculated 10 arouse
any degree OF enthusiasm in the breasts
OF me nscal autnoTllies OF BRUSH india
- 80 Ia ~ 'le
l-o-i--- "a I-iu-,- o-lu nay u
-. M - -. IN - me ue
-.oel 'i'-i' anu "o1'u ne , ears 10 cOiii-
b1sle-
= nave po4ll0eo oll ABOVE
~ - = o-lo nave % ssCsty thein-
serves tlo' III oo4ils away Win tne opium
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