| OCR Text |
Show CIGAR AS OPIUM SUBSTITUTE Aiding In Redemption of China, Where Natives Are Now Frequently Seen Smoking Their Cheroots. The cigar la doing n large part In llm redemption of Chirm. It Is no uncommon un-common thing to see ii native smoking Ids cheroot, which promises to enjoy the favor once bestowed on opium. The Import of clfjurs Into various Chinese ports hns been greatly on the Increase in tlie Inst few years, and now amounts to about .flifiu.OOO annually. Of this trade four-fifths normally Is through Hongkong. There has been a marked increase In the quantity of Hutch-made cigars used In South China Bnd other portions of the Far East during the Inst year or more, ivhere, for various reasons, Philippine cigars have been losing In favor. Previous to the outbrenlc of the war In Europe considerable quantities of cheap cigars were sold In Chinn nnd tho Fur East through German firms lu Hongkong, nnd n German cigar factory fac-tory was operated in Hongkong for the UJiinufacluro of cheap cigars for the Chinese trade and also for export to tOurope. This factory is still operated under Chinese control. |
