Smuggling of Chinese Opium into other Eastern Countries:
China the Stumbling Block to all Reform Prom THE DereRwAtionat, As 0 many wiiters on the antiopium problem in Europe, America and China are denouncing the inability of the recent Geneva Convention delegations to arrive at an immediately effective method for opium suppression in the Far East, an interpretation by these critics has been placed upon the facts of debates which is not embodied in the actual wording of the resolution, The acceptance in principle'of the veried of 15 years in which all the ¢pium monopoly States in the Far East will bring about a gradual total suppression of opium was agreed to by all, and debate only arose over the date of inauguration. It is undeniable that in the course of debate references and details were given ct the smuggling in of Chinese opium into the monopoly States, and the fact of such smuggling wa undoubtedly a contributory reason Yor postponing a fixed date for inauguration of the 15 year period, Yet when it came to a resolution lon the subject China w: tioned, but in th [Conference President "the 15 year Period should not begin to run until some outside international authority such as the Council of the League of Nations ruled that the danger from smuggling had cease ed." China was unquestionably in the minds of the delegations, but 0 alto were Turkey and Peri hence the resolution in general terms covering all forms and countries. To state in speech and writing as is being done very wide-Jy that the monopoly States would not inaugurate the accepted sup-session period until China stop-the exact words in an anti-opium pamphlet from abroad, which I have in front of me—is not home out by the resolution, whatever may be inferred from the debate. If ieform in the monopoly States is to be postponed until cultivation ceases in China, we have a long time to wai Why. Not Penalize Opium Ships?
The danger from smuggling into the monopoly States might become considerably lessened by draw zation on the part of the States themselves. In Malaya seizures of opium were made on $45. steamers coming from China during the frst ght months of 1924." The opium was Chinese; but surely not. the steamers?" "The opium would be confiscated of course, but were the fines on the culprits' and the ships subs We believe that when isco fined two. shipping about a quarter of million dollars for carrying contraband opium, it reduced the slunger of smuggling considerably. One company went into liquidation snd 20 ceased to participate. Malaya fought to have made a big: sum out substantial fines, unless" the seizures were on individual "Chinese and the quantities small, however the unlit trac is as stated about 20 per cent. of Government imports, then these seizures must represent many tons of opium, and only severe penalties octerrent effect. riy Purpore now to point out how the danger of smuggling may. be lessened, but simply to make plain that the resolution of the Ge Convention does not mention China, end that the inauguration of the 18 Year period of suppression is. nez contingent on the suppression of {plum in China, but upon the ruling the Council of the League of Nations in anti-opium work nothing is lost We may infer what we tke, but Keeping to facts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.