The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-06-22
EDWARDS IS AFTER
VENDORS OF DRUGS
Former Commander At SchofieId
Wiping Out Cocaine Traffic
In Canal Zone

PANAMA, June 10. - Correspond.
cnee of the Associated Press --Foi-
lowing an investigation ordered by
Brigadier General Clarence r. Edwards,
Y. s. A., commanding the Panama
Canal troops many arrests have been
made aud a number Of convictions oh.
tanned of natives Of Panama for sell
ing cocaine and other drugs TO United
States soldiers stationed on the canal.
Several soldiers have been arrested
and will be tried for using the drugs
and probably will be given severe SEN
fences for the. deterrent influence such
punishment may have on the many re
crnits that are constantly sent TO the
Isthmus.
The investigation was begun a short
time ago when the United States
troops, following riots, undertook a
separate patrol of the districts of both
Panama and Colon frequented by the
soldiers when on leave from the camps
on the Canal Zone. 1t was then
learned where soldiers were obtaining
cocaine, and becoming addicted to Its
use. II is not possible to obtain
NihSH but NHnHi LOht Dttduht Oi
the severe penalty attached to their
sale and use within United States te..
TitoTy.
Many Soldiers Form Habit
Captain F. w. Coleman, U. 8. A.,
commanding the Patrol Company, early
in his investigation round that many
of the habitues of the tenderloin dis.
trict Of Panama not only were addicted
to the cocaine habit but also were act.
ing as agents for several or the largest
drug stores in the city in the sale OF
the drug He obtained conclusive 'eEl.
dence showing the connection between
the small Peddlers am the, large Ven.
doris. He ascertained also that in many
instances the soldiers and others can
easily obtain the drug direct from
leading drug stores.
1t has been learned that between
100 and $50 soldiers have already
formed the habit and that It's use has
been growing very rapidly especially
among the recruits who have recently
come to the Isthmus. Most of these
young soldiers are from the interior
of the United States. No cases have
been found among the soldiers Of the
Goth Infantry, which formerly was sta.
toned near New York City and thus
probably have come in contact with
the results of the drug habit.
Police Refuse Cooperation
One of the distressing features, ac-
cording to the military authorities, Is
the lack of adequate cooperation on
the part of the National Police author.
tiles of Panama. They seem to he will.
ing to arrest and fine the small ped
dlers who are mostly negroes, but un-
willing to make an example of the
druggists. all of whom are influential
men in the, community. Captain Cole.
man obtained conclusive evidence that
one of the leading druggists of Panama
was making a speciality of the cocaine
traffic but owing to the apathy ana
unwillingness of the Panama author
tiles was unable to obtain adequate
punishment. Pa
The laws of Panama do not provide
for more than nominal punishment
upon conviction. They specify a SEN
tence Of 20 days in iail, which may
he trippled if, in the discretion of the
Mayor Of Panama, such additional pun.
ishment is warranted. Heretofore the
drug store owners and large vendors Of
habit forming drugs have escaped with
LIGHT fines. The Canal Zone laws pro
vide severe penalty for the vending
and use of drugs and few cases have
arisen among the white canal workers..
A detailed report of the investigation
has been prepared by Major Fl. &.
White. L. s. A.. of the Judge Advo.
cate Generals Department, and sent
to the War Department ~,