Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-26
China Surrenders to 1s.Dope''

licensing and registration Of dealers
and smokers was being introduced in
certain areas, official TRADES against
opium were being made under Kuo-
mintang auspices.
Addicts, wholesalers. buyers and
transporterS-all were to be vigorously
punished, it was announced More
over, arrests took place-and execu-
tons. One minor police official in
Peiping was even shot as an exam
Pile" Inquiry showed, however, that
both he and other victims we're illegal;
that is, they were smoking. selling or
producing opium without the required
protection of monopoly officials.
As further sop to public sentiment
in the matter. several hospitals and
drug cure centers" have been opened
in three or four big cities. But in
practice these tend to serve as lex
elusive sanatoriums" for wealthy la
dies and gentlemen who want to get
rid of the habit, and who, during their
cure" are allowed all the luxuries
their money can buy.
Despite this elaborate pretense of
virtue, few illusions exist among the
Chinese. They are not impressed;
only some severed heads in the high
est yamens, where all the biggest
patrons OF opium reside, could be ex-
pected to bring response from them.
But the widespread terror of the Fas-
cist Blue Jackets has forestalled any
attempt at an organized protest.
L have been fighting losing battle
against the opium monopoly" writes
Garfield Huang in a recent letter to
me. There is no suppression of
opium. but suppression of COMPETE
ton. The poor police official in Peip-
ing was executed for trying to put up
some little competition in the market
ing of drugs
Underworld King Decorated.
The Chinese read between the lines
OF recent news events, even If editors
are forbidden to write critically of
them. At Marking early this year, for
instance, Tu Yueh-sen, the king Of
Chinas underworld, was decorated
with the Order of Brilliant Jade. a
distinction which at the same time
was conferred on Chang Shao-lin an
other important opium merchant who
now co-operates with the monopoly
In Peiping honors were bestowed upon
rang Yu-lin, erStwhile ruler of Jehol.
Tor whose arrest and execution Nam
KING issued warrant in 1898. after
ne had deserted his troops in the face
of Japanese invasion.
Gen. Tang has been forgiven for
his past sins and made honorary
adviser" to the Peiping Military
Council, with the consent of Cen
eralissimo Chang. He is thus able to
reclaim his extensive estates. which
were accumulated through his per-
sonal opinion monopoly which beg
CARED the peasants of Jehol
Throughout the 10 provinces in
which Marking has applied the new
system former underworld opium
operators have been elevated to new
dignities. 1t Is the little guys who
have been shot.
Actual licensing of opium homes
and dealers, behind the pious smoke
screen, began last Summer and con-
tinues at this writing. In Kiangsu
alone, for instance, 343,500 addicts
were reported registered by the mid
die of August. To serve customers
in this one province los ofiicial
wholesale opium hongs have been
licensed under government orders. In
addition. retail offices have been
established. A similar monopoly was
established In Fukien Province on