SMUGGLING EVIL

Evening Star, Issue 22343, 20 May 1936, Page 9

SMUGGLING EVIL

CHINA BLAMES JAPAN SITUATION BECOMING CRITICAL Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 19. (Received May 20, at 10.35 a.m.) The ‘ Sun-Herald ’ Agency says the Chinese smuggling situation is regarded in London as rapidly becoming worse. The Sino-Japanese breach is widening and endangering international relations, but the Japanese have taken no steps to curb the evil, merely again disclaiming responsibility and smultaneously insisting that* local Customs be disarmed. As a result it is impossible for officials to intercept smugglers. Meanwhile clear profit ” accrues to Japanese trade. Th© Chinese Central Government’s finances are threatened with imminent collapse. The Chinese Government’s protest' to Tokio says J apanese-Korean smugglers have taken advantage of the serious impairment of the Customs preventive services, and have employed large numbers of junks and motor-driven vessels for smuggling, while smuggled goods are landed and transported without fear of Customs seizure. Illicit goods have been taken southwards and dumped on various markets. JapaneseKorean smugglers attacked Customs officers with impunity and forcibly recovered goods from the Customs. The Chinese asked Tokio to restrain the militarists, withdraw the protection which the Japanese-Korean smugglers enjoy, and immediately dissolve companies formed to carry out smuggling.