The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-05-28
FRANCE IS ABLE
To BREAK UP
DOPE RING
Nations Line Up at League
Meeting to Fight Ameri-
can Proposal.
By WILLIAM STONE,
Cosmopolitan News Service.

GENEVA, May 28.-Nations that
make money out Of the body
wracking and morals-corrupting
traffic in narcotics were lining up
at a league Of nations meeting to-
day, seeking to block or weaken the
Porter resolution, sponsored by the
American Government, which seeks
to scotch the drug evil at its
source. The Porter resolution pro-
vides for limiting production of
narcotic materials and was put
before the nations of the world,
following an intense campaign in
America, participated / in by the
Hearst newspapers.
1t is the first time that a mat
ter vitality affecting the health,
lives and happiness of millions of
persons throughout the earth, has
been put up squarely to members
Of the league, and already there Is
much hedging.
Stirs Opium Commission.
The tranquility Of the opium
commission of the league of nations
was rudely shaken by the Porter
resolution. A survey of the sit
uation today showed the American
proposal has a chance of being
Endorsed and recommended to the
various governments, though per-
haps in modified form.
France, with interests in the
drug traffic in Indo- China, today
appeared to hold the balance of
power in the narcotics situation
which is creating first-class log
rolling campaign by affected coun-
tries.
For two years, the elmer ring
OF countries deriving revenue from
the traffic in non-medical drugs
has been in control of the commits
sion. This ring is composed Of
Great Britain, India, Holland,
France and Portugal, who have all
dispensed with the restrictions i'm
posed ten years ago by the Hague
convention.
France Can Break Ring.
France so far has been non-com-
initial, but IL she decided to support
the Porter resolution striking at
the root Of the drug evil instead of
merely applying ameliorative means,
the power of the ring will have been
broken, it is predicted, and the
American resolution will pass.
The commission, after holding a
secret session, authorized traffic in
"eating opium" by substituting the
word Legitimate" for "medicinaT' in
the resolution referred by the
league assembly. Recovering from
the first shock of CONSERVATION, In
dia, which produces 1000, 900 pounds
Of opium annually under it's monop-
oily, is consolidating members of the
ring to buck" the American pro-
posal.
John Campbell representing India,
claims the Porter resolution is not
In accord with the Hague conven-
ton, which he says provides for
control Of prepared opium for non
scientific purposes.
Britain Backs India.
Portugal, with financial interests
in the opium trade at stake in
Macoa, and Holland, with money in
vested in the drug traffic in the
Dutch East Indies, are lining UP
with India. Great Britain is back
ing India in order to protect her
trade from the Far East colonies.
Aligned with America are, how
ever, Siam, China, Germany, Japan
who have no opium revenue pro.
ducing colonies, They are the old
opposition minority.
Frances attitude non-committal
as yet, may decide whether the
power of the ring is to be broken,
With interests in. Indo- China, she
may yet support America.