OPIUM CRUSADE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1665, 4 February 1913, Page 7

OPIUM CRUSADE.

CHINA IN EARNEST. SMOKERS DISFRANCHISED. Br Teleer&Dh—Freis Association—Couyrtahi (Rcc. February 3, 11.35 p.m.) Peking, February 3. Opium-growing has been stamped out except in' certain areas of Fukien, Honan, Shensi, Kansni and Kangchow. Opium smokers were disfranchised at tho recent elections, and all political parties are supporting the Government in its anti-opium crusade.

Great apprehensions have' been aroused by tho desperato strugglo of the Indian opium dealers to prolong tho maximum importation of tho drug in defiance of Chinese sentiments. Despite all Chineso efforts to restrict it the total value of tho Indian opium stored at Shanghai, Hong Kong, or in transit has now (Btates the "Daily Telegraph" of December 24) reached the fabulous sum of .£11,000,000, making the problem well-nigh insoluble. Various Yangtsze. provinces. avo taking the lead in the anti-opium agitation, and have provided death penalties for all kinds of opium offences, either unregistered buying or selling. In some cases even smokers have been threatened with the supreme Senalty. ■' The growing agitation at Peking emands the complete- repudiation of tho AnglorChinese Agreement of 1911, which arranged for annual reductions until 191G, when tho trade-should bo extinguished. Faced by .these considerations, the British position is difficult, 6inco tho opium trade was admitted in' the House of Commons to ba morally indefensible, and publie sentiment everywhere condemns it. It is understood, however, that three British banks, apart from the Indian dealers, are so enormously involved that any effective Chinese prohibition will produce a far-renting.-financial crisis.