The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-01-19
SOv|ETS LEAD
IN The Fight
AGAINST OPIUM
Capitalist Nations Dare
Not Go As Far
(Contlnued from page u


preparatory committee, proposing to
the peoples commissariat to send a
delegate to the session of the consul
tative commission to be held on the
18th of August.
"As such belated invitation OBJ
viously rendered superfluous any dis
cussion of the proposal in substance
all that has been left to the govern
ment of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics is to take up such position
or other on the issue of its partici-
patton in the November conference.
Soviet Rule Leads All.
"The peoples commissariat of for
eign affairs must first of all state that
in the anti-drug fight the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics goes before
all other countries of Europe.
1.-THE peoples commissariat is in
position to declare that a number of
such measures have been adopted by
the government of the union against
the spread Of opium as other modern
governments would never risk for
fear of opposition on the part of pri-
vate interests.
THUS, by its own efforts and its
own decision, the government of the
union achieves the object set before
the anti-drug conference. The par
ticipation of the Union of Soviet So
cialist Republics in this conference
might only pursue the aim of exercis-
ing pressure on other states with a
view to insuring the adoption Of SINH
lar measures.
Having taken knowledge of the re-
view of the preparatory committees
labors, sent in by the general secre-
tary's Office, the government of the
union observed that this committee
contented themselves but with ex-
pressing the deep regret they felt at
the discovery that it was impossible
for them to reach an agreement over
the various propositions made by the
committeeman and that therefore
they could not submit to the confer
ence any final scheme. Thus the on
ly result of the committees labors
has been to fix the impossibility for
the powers represented upon the
committee to reach an agreement
over any practical measures in the
matter dealt with.
NOW, analyzing the propositions
, made by members of the preparatory
committee and the objections brought
forth against them, the government of
the Union of Soviet Socialist Repub-
lies was constrained to come to the
conviction that every proposition
made by different members inevitably
met with the objection by other mem
bers pointing out that such PROPOSE
ton or other protected unilaterally
the commercial interests of the pro-
posers to the detriment of other
states-an argument which, if closely
considered, proved from an impartial
point of view to be quite correct. For
example, 1t was pointed out in refer
ence to the proposition of the Dutch
delegate, that it safeguarded the
monopoly of the producers of leaves
from which cocaine is manufactured,
that is first of all the position of Hol-
land, which would be enabled to
raise prices arbitrarily. The same OBJ
lection was raised against the British
scheme of limitation of the produc-
ton OF drugs and regulation of their
distribution. 1t appears indeed. that
the British plan would create mon
opoly for drug producing countries, in
Guiding certain British dominions and
colonies, which would be able to raise
prices at their own discretion. AS
for the French scheme, the opinion
was voiced that 1t leaves altogether
untackled the task of limiting the pro-
duction of drugs, providing only for
the setting up OF various control and
inspection methods and measures, and
creating obstacles to international
traffic in drugs. Incidentally. the
French draft contains specific attacks
aimed at England in this reference.
Feel Participation Useless.
1.-THE government Of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics has come
to the conclusion that in connection
with the task undertaken of fighting
the spread of opium and other drugs,
the various states are striving to sat
isfy their own commercial interests
and gain material benefits. Under
such circumstances, the Union OF Sow
let Socialist Republics regards that
its participation in these committees
or conferences is useless.
Whereas the government OF the
union maintains its attitude, which
II has repeatedly stated, towards the
so-called league of nations, It did
agree sometimes to participate in con-
ferences called or committees consti-
tuted by that organization when such
meetings attain, were IL even in part,
any really tangible and profitable re.
suits in the interests Of humanity and
economic necessity.
Thus, for instance, the Union OF
-