L.
383
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[14093]
No. 1.
[March 28.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 75. Sir,
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received March 28.) Commercial.)
St. Petersburgh, March 25, 1913.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Minister of Agriculture has introduced into the Duma a Bill against opium smoking.
The Bill is directed against both smokers of opium and those who incite others to smoke it, and makes them liable to a line of 500 roubles (501) and sixteen months' imprisonment. It is pointed out in the Bill that, so far, opium is not much smoked in Russia, but that in view of the great temptation to do so it is necessary to prevent the spreading of the evil.
I have, &c.
GEORGE W. BUCHANAN,
[2850 ee-1]
TH