Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-19
WARD PALE and STRAINED
AS STATE BEGINS IT'S EFFORT
TO CONvICTIN PETERS KILLING
LEAGUE LISTENS TO
SIGhOR SALANDRA
ON CORFU AFFAIRS

Geneva. Sept. 1S.-(By The A. r.)
stephen G. Porter, chairman of
thk foreign affairs committee of the
American House OF Representatives,
amp Signor Salandra. head of the
Itslian delegation, all unconsciously
were in rivalry today respecting
which would hold the center of the
stage al Geneva.
Mr.. Porter's appearance as tie
Official representative OF the Wash
ington goernment Oh the OPIUM
question. challenged general alien
lion as indicating anew that the
United States was actiely participat-
ing in the humanitarian efforts of
the league of nations. But when
Signor Salandra in the next room pc
gan before the council 4 defense OF
Italy's attitude in the conflict W tn
Greece and announced that Italy
was not able to discuss the question
of competency, there was a general
movement of the public from ilr.
Porter to Signor Salandra.
The Italian delegate justified he
occupation of Corfu, even said that
other countries, including the Unit
ed States, had taken measures sim
liar in nature on matters less crave
than that which caused the occ ilc-
ton of Corfu. BY the time Si3nor
Salandra arrived at the most impor-
tant points In his argument, me
opium meeting had adjourned, per-
haps with intention, and the &C e.
gates. headed by Mr.. Porter, flocked
into the council chamber.
Salandra's position was that DIS
the Greco-Italian conflict was set
tied there was no occasion 20 lis
cuss the competency of the League
to act, because no specific case eX-
listed on which to interpret the Co"e-
nant However. he added. Italy
would not oppose a general interpre-
tation of the covenant by authorized
persons-presumab alluding o he
permanent court of international
justice.
The impression tonight among
! the delegates is that the question of
Ihly's attitude is far from neing
disposed of. Hjalmar BrantinG, for
nter Swedish premier, immediate ly
expressed his discomfort with Signor
SAlandra's exposition. which will lie
| further debated within a few days.
lin the course of his address to-
L
| tiSe of the league and expressed his
personal opinion that the propo.'ed
nAw international opium confer ence
| e@aFd best be held under the. aus
i. pieces OF the league, because it would
have behind it the leagues prestige
and get better results than if II
voked by any state acting independ-
entity. This statement was warmly
! applauded. Mr.. Porter urged tnat
! the proposed conference report o
| the league on or before the assent ~
| meeting of 1924.
The conference will comprise rep
! resentatives of the countries where
| opium and coco leaves are produced
i for export. manufacturers by whom
| the drug is refined, and govern
! ments IN whose territories prepared
J opium is consumed. Its object, said
! Mr.. Porter, would be to agree Cd a
: strategy to prevent abusive use OF
/ these substances. their products nd
! derivatives.
Referring to India's reservation CT
| her right to use opium locally, Mr..
Porter said the American laws c'ass-
| cd raw opium as habit-forninG
narcotic drug. to he administer ed
! under medical supervision. The
| United States did not wish to ques-
! ton the general legislation with re-
gard TO opium. but the United States
did not regard as legitimate. except
as stipulated in The Hague con'
| ton international traffic in opium
Tor other than medicinal and scien-
tific purposes. He declared that tie
adoption of the American principles
| would ultimately eradicate a "1"at
international evil.