The Nagasaki Express - No. 41 October 22, 1870

 The Nagasaki Express - No. 41 October 22, 1870

--

It is a source of great satisfaction to be able to record, that in accordance with instructions received from Yedo, the local officials are now engaged in suppressing "Opium Smoking" amongst the Chinese residents at this port.  If the evil was entirely confined to the Celestial, we should doubt the advisability of interference, as it would not be likely to result beneficially to any of the devotees at the shrine of Malwa--Patna, for when the habit has taken root, have it they will, no matter what the results are likely to be. So far as John Chinaman is concerned; we leave the question, as it is very hard to spoil a rotten egg! Our reason for discussing the subject is in consequence of the evil spreading to the natives which has, we regret to say, been making somewhat rapid strides of late, and will, if not at once nipped in the bud obtain a very strong hold on them and entirely destroy their energies. We know some instances where natives have secretly indulged in it, and it has reduced them from smart active men into indolent imbeciles who care for nothing so long as they can obtain their soothing pipe.

The steps now being taken for its suppression are highly commendable to the authorities at Yedo, and shows, that the Japanese statesmen evidently realize the vast importance of measures being taken to prevent the empire from sinking to the degrading level of China. In our opinion they have not commenced a day too soon as the evil is not only seductive, but is expensive, and if the consumption of this drug is allowed to increase, it is likely to drain off the wealth of the country to pay for an article, which in a financial point of view is ten times worse than a large demand for munitions of war.

We hope to see it completely eradicated, but our fears are such, as to doubt whether the local officials, or at least those who are personally charged with the execution of the orders will carry them out in a manner likely to effectually produce the desired end--indeed, we already hear that the methods of suppression vary according to the influence of the offenders, some of whom escape on very liberal terms--while those who have none, are treated like a man without friends, and are considered fit persons to be kicked.

Among the many obstacles to its suppression; bribery is perhaps the greatest difficulty to contend with as this is the most formidable weapon the Chinese have when they get into trouble, and to extricate themselves it is usually the first thing they have recourse to. Our opinion is that the vice will be nominally suppressed--i.e. every "Tojin" will secretly enjoy his pipe, and in two months hence, when the affair is forgotten by the local officials, things will be allowed to go back into the old groove again. 

Here is a case where the remarks made by our issue on 17th ultimo respecting the employment of spies, apply very well and we would strongly recommend some high official to suddenly appear here and make personal inspection of suspected places at the time opium smoking is usually carried on, and we venture to say the visit will be sufficient to show him, that connivance at abuses exists to a very great extent at Nagasaki. It might be considered very undignified proceeding on the part of anyone who undertook the duties, but when the magnitude of the evil likely to arise if not at once checked, and the temptation offered for bribery are considered, no one could think otherwise than well of such a philanthropist who has his country's welfare at heart, and although an Opium trade would be a source of profit to some, we are sure that to the majority of Europeans, it would be a great source of regret to see the people of Japan reduced to the level of their less fortunate brethren of China.

In addition to these precautions we would suggest that the inward baggage of the Chinese should be strictly searched so as to prevent any opium from being imported into Japan which in our opinion is the most effectual remedy; as prevention it is well known is better than cure and to assist the officials in efficiently carrying out  preventive measures, we cannot do better than refer them to an extract from the San Francisco Bulletin copied in the London & China Express 14th January last, which shows the dodges the Celestials get up at San Francisco, in order to smuggle opium.

--

Keywords: Nagasaki Chinese; opium; opium suppression