The Washington times., 1922-06-25
CHINESE START
| new CRUSADE
/ ON. OPIUM PIPE
Eradication Of blind Den" In
Cities Is Object Of
! Edict. @l
By EDNA LEE BOOKER.
Inksr~ass~,sl Hswu aerxtcr-

Internatisaal Nsws Service.
SHANGHAI, June A-With
reports Of the international Anti
Opium Association declaring that
the opium poppy 10 being grown
extensively IN certain provinces
Of China and that much Of the
suffering from famine 10 caused
by the planting Of the poppy In
stead Of wheat, . nationwide
campaign against opium now Ii
under way.
Smoke ~ Home.
An investigation Of opium anck-
ing here reveals the fActs tha4 palA-
tial opium dens Of this city-wor4d
famous . few years ago-have dis-
appeared; that the wealthy Chinese
are smoking the pipe In beautift1s-
ly fitted rooms in their own homes;
that the poorer classes seek out
badly-kept dens, carefully hidden.
and that the coolie class has resort-
ed to opium tea
Up until 1917. when the dens were
closed by law, the opium palaces
were the most popular gathering
places Of the Chinese.
There were two famous opium
palaces in Shanghai-the Nan Chen
Sing and the Peh Chip Sing. With
some Awenty.four OTHER dens they
were licensed and under police. pro-
lection. Today these famous dens
have been transformed into Chinese
American tourist In Shanghai In
search Of q thrill viii find visiting
an opium den practically Impossible.
OPIUM Dens Well Furnished.
Time was when opium smoking
was considered quite the thing. The
palaces were beautifully fitted. with
private rooms where the patron
could receive O massage, shave, hair
cut, manicure, meals, drink--any-
thing his luxury-loving heart de-
sired.
In the winter the dens were com.
fortably, heated, while In the sum-
mer electric fans or punkahs, pulled
by Chinese boys, cooled the rooms.
The kong" or great opium couch,
arranged to accommodate two smok.
ers, the lamp and other smoking
equipment being placed In the cen.
Because OF the growing sentiment
niture. The Kong was made Of
lacquer or red wood and was richly
inlaid and intricately carved.
An air Of culture characterized the
place. Paintings by old masters
hung on the walls, rare porcelains
adorned the rooms, and masses OF
growing plants and bloSsoming
flowers were artistically arranged.
Public sentiment approved Of the
dens. They were social centers, and
business running into the thousands
of dollars was often transacted.
Today sentiment has swung 20 the
opposite extreme. The dens,S which
are illegal, are run with great
secrecy and are IN constant dsnSer
Of being discovered and raidsd by
the police. -
According to Jabin Hsu. one of
the leading members Of the Anti.
Opium Association of Shanghai, the
opium den Of today has deterioaated
into one small room, crowded with
beds-not the luxurious 'T1onSB-
In order to aIlay suspicion IN case
Of q raid. A many N ten coolies
crowd into the room for = smoleA,
Dens Arc Hidden.
The den II hidden behind q kfuit
shop, in the rear Of q hot-wxtersahop
ttuo Sniuco6 bcit oo1kIx8 W9I0Z Dy
the paiD, orin side room Of o chi
nese restaurant. Often tho room 1s
blind and entered by q sliding door
or the old trick Of going through n
wardrobe. When a raid is planned
the opium den manager often % tdp-
ped off by the mysterious system OF
the underworld. the opiumsmoling
equipment hidden and the smokers
rashed out through secret passage.
1t is only since 1917, when the
dens became illegal. that the element
Of mystery has entered into their
history. for when licensed they were
az open and ~aboveboard n the tea
shops.
The poorer Chinese, who cannot
afford even the cheapest dens, visit
the shops where opium tea, made
from the dregs OF the opium, IL sold.
Because OF the growing sentiment
against opium smoking and the diff.
ficulty In smuggling II the Japanese.
according to reports, are carrying
on q tremendous business In cocaine
and morphia in China.
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