The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-05-01
TAKES ISSUE WITH
LORD ROBERT CECIL
ALLEGED ERRONEOUS STATE
MENT OF BRITISHER. DRUG
TRAFFIC AND LEAGUE.

WASHINGTON.-The league OF
nations instead OF suppressing the
traffic in habit-forming drugs did
quite the contrary" Chairman Porter
of the house foreign affairs commit
tee declared in letter to Lord Robert
Cecil leading British proponent OF
the league who is now in Washington,
declining an appointment to discuss
the activities OF the leagues opium
commission.
Mr.. Porter took issue with a state
ment in an article signed by Lord
Robert that the league had Struck
vigorous blows at world evils like
the sale OF opium, cocaine and other
noxious drugs" and enclosed with his
letter. which he made public today,
copies of his committees hearings
and its report on the resolution adopt
ed in the concluding days OF the last
session OF congress calling Tor the
limitation OF production of opium and
cocoa leaves to the quantity needed
only for strictly medicinal and scien-
tifc purposes"
Provides for Legitimate Sale"
When a similar resolution was sub
mitted by the opium commission to
the league OF nations assembly, he
said. the latter substituted the word
Legitimate" Tor the phrase strictly
medicinal and scientific at the sUg-
gestion OF the Indian delegate that
the Indian population IS throughout
vast areas without adequate medical
assistance, and therefore habitually
takes opium in small doses as a pro-
phvlactic or as an effective remedy
against diseases" the uses OF opium
enumerated by the Indian delegate
were Clearly medicinal" Mr.. Porter
added, and therefore was no neces-
sity for the amendment"
1T is perfectly obvious" he con-
tended, that the striking out OF the
specific words, strictly medicinal and
scientific, and the substituting in lieu
thereof OF the general word, legiti-
mate, was intended to legitimatize
and thereby continue to encourage the
sale OF large quantities OF this drug
without restriction on its use, which
is legitimate in the Oriental posses
sions OF many European countries and
thereby preserve the enormous and
immoral revenues which the opium
producing countries derive from its
production and sale"
Is Curious to Know.
Mr.. Porter said he was curious to
know how, in view of this ''recogni
ton Of the Legitimacy of the opium
traffic in certain parts OF the world, y
the league intended to discharge, as
far as this evil was concerned, the
sacred trust of civilization for the
well-being and development of people
not yet able to stand by themselves"
as set forth in its covenant.
III | visited Great Britain" Mr..
Porter said. making addresses in
support OF the policies of your minor
ity party, these policies being highly
beneficial to my own country, and
made any erroneous statements of
facts, you would be fully justified in
correcting the Misrepresentation which
my public utterances had created, and
by this letter | am availing myself OF
a like privilege.
Your erroneous statements as to
what the league OF nations has ac-
complished, coupled with your advo
cacy Of the league, permits the infer
ence that the United States, by refus
ing to become member thereof, is
not only indifferent but opposed to
the suppression of this deadly trail
hc. As a matter of fact the United
States without regard to revenue has
always pursued program designed
to suppress the illicit traffic in habit
forming narcotic drugs, and earn
estly trust that the nation OF which
YOU are very distinguished citizen
will ere long adopt the same policy
and thereby further cement the ties
of friendship which now exist between
our respective countries"