New Britain herald., 1925-02-06

In order to prevent abuse of these products 1t is necessary to exercise control Of the production of raw opium in such manner that there shall be no surplus available for non medical and non-scientihc purposes.
 "rhe joint resolution adopted by the congress of the United States on May lb, 1924. authorizing our par ticipation in the present conference quoted the principles referred to in the preamble and expressly stipulat- ed that the representatives of the United States shall sign no agree ment which does not fulfil the con- ditions necessary for suppression of the narcotic drug traffic as set forth In the preamble ,
 Results Impossible.
 Despite over two months of dis cussion and repeated adjourhments, 1t now clearly appears that the pur- pose for which the conference was called cannot be accomplished. The reports of the various committees plainly indicate that there is no like lihood under present conditions that the production of raw opium and coca leaves will be restricted to the medicinal and scientific needs of the world. In fact the nature of the res- ervations show that no appreciable reduction in raw opium is to be ex- pected.
 Tt was hoped that, if the nations In whose territory the use of smok- ing opium is temporarily permitted would, in pursuance of the obliga- ton undertaken under chapter il of the Hague convention, adopt meas ures restricting the importation of raw opium for the manufacture of smoking opium. or would agree to suppress the traffic within definite period, such action would materially reduce the market for raw opium, and an extensive limitation of pro- duction would inevitably follow.
 "Unfortunately, however, these nations, with the exception of Japan, are not prepared to reduce the con- sumption of smoking opium unless the producing nations agree to re- duce production and prevent smug- gling from their territories, can then only in the event of adequate guar antee being given that the obliga- tions undertaken by the producing nations would be effectively and promptly fulfilled. No restriction of the production of raw opium under such conditions can be expected.
 Tn the matter of the manufacture of drugs and control of transporta- ton. an improvement over the Hague convention Is noticeable. There Is, however. no likelihood Of obtaining complete control of all opium and coca leaf derivaties ire spective of the measure of control provided for manufactured drugs.
 Tt Is believed, by reason of the very small bulk, the ease Of trans portation with minimum risk of de- lection, and the large financial gains obtainable from theiE illicit handling, such drugs and their derivatives can only be effectively controlled if pro- duction of raw opium and coca leaves from which they are obtained Is strictly limitd to medical and scientific purposes. This the confer ence is unable to accomplish.
 Tn the circumstances. the delega- ton of the United States. in pursu- ance of the instructions received from It's government has no alter native under the terms of the point resolution authorizing its participa- tion in the conference other than to withdraw, as 1t could not sign the agreement which 1t is proposed to conclude"
 We desire to make 1t clear that our withdrawal from the present conference does not mean that the United States will cease its efforts through international cooperation for the suppression of the illicit traf- lc in opium and other dangerous drugs. The United States recognizes that the world wide traffic in habit forming drugs can be suppressed only by international cooperation, but 1t believes that for the present, at least, greater strides in the con- trol of the traffic may be hoped for if 1t should continue to work towards this end upon the basis of the Hague convention of 1912"