Evening star., 1924-11-23
j. S. FAILS TO VOTE
ON OPIUM PROGRAM
Delegate Was Not Given As
surance He Could Present
Helpful Suggestions.
By the Associated Press.

GENEVA, November 22.-Because he
had not received assurances that the
American delegation would be per-
mitted to present on its own merits
any helpful suggestions. Representa-
tive Stephen G. Porter abstained from
voting tonight when the international
opium conference adopted the pro-
gram elaborated by the business COM
mittee last night.
This does not mean that the Amer
lean delegation will abstain from par
ticipation in the work of the confer
ence. but that 1t reserves the right
TO submit any proposals which, in
It's opinion, would contribute to the
real success of the conference, despite
the limit seemingly placed on the con-
ference scope by the agenda adopted
today.
Representative Porter announced
at the morning session that the
American delegation would vote for
the business committees report on
condition that it be allowed TO sub
NIT Am erican suggestions. He de-
clared his instructions were such as
to make il difficult for the Ameri-
cans to stay in the conference with
out this clear understanding" The
days debate did not bring forth the
clear understanding asked for; there
fore, Representative Porter declined
to vote either for or against the
committees resolution.
Door IL Left Open.
But the conference shunted off
from discussion OF its general COM
potency to discuss the American pro-
posals and this gives the Americans
an opportunity, which they apparently
decided to seize, to push forward at
the most convenient time the vari-
Gus American propositions and work
for their acceptance. Thus, it is
commented by observers, the field of
operations appears to have been left
completely open.
Japan and China stood resolutely
by the American position In demand
Ing that the conference be kept on a
high level and be entitled to deal
with all phases of the opium evil
France came forth tonight with a
statement which served to remove
the depression which the first weeks
happenings of the conference en-
gendered. n. Bourgeois, the French
plenipotentiary. said that when last
year the United States had called at
tention to the danger Of the increas-
ing world use Of narcotic drugs
France had agreed that The Hague
opium convention should be amended.
He admitted there had arisen at that
time differences as to the methods of
treatment. He wanted at this time
to declare that the remarkable prof.
ect submitted to the present confer
ence by the American dele cation has
mot only given hope, but certainty,
that agreement will be easy and that
the work of the conference will be
crowned with success"
Delegates All Smiles.
Later, NJ Bourgeois explained that
he was talking about narcotic drugs;
that his statement did not imply ac-
ceptance of the American proposals
as a whole, especially those calling
for suppression OF opium smoking in
the Far East within 10 years. Never
theless, the French declaration pro-
duced such an optimistic effect that
the delegates all departed with smiles
on their faces.
The first general committee OF the
conference which deals with limita-
tion of the manufacture of narcotic
drugs and restriction of the produc-
ton of opium and coca leaves, will
meet Monday morning. The second
general committee, which will study
the drafts Of necessary amendments
to The Hague convention, will sit
Tuesday morning.
agitated the conference was satisfac-
torily settled today when unanimous
approval was given the project to
classify suggestions made by repre-
sentatives of private organizations
and submit them to all the delegates.
Another attempt Is being made to
revive the preliminary conference,
which thus far has resulted in fall
ure. Herluf Zahle Of Denmark, who
served as president Of the first con-
ference, announced that the delegates
would meet again Monday afternoon.
The Anglo-Japanese dispute over
opium licenses, however, has not been
settled.