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by eleven of the signatories and four others, of which
de ajesty's Government was one, had declared their read- iness to ratify. Ten other Powers were prepared to ratify BO 3000 48 the necessary legislative sanction should have been obtained.
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The outbreak of war almost i:anediately after the ad- urnment of the Conference interrupted the progress of Qis great reform which was so nearly comleted. From the beginning my Government has taken a lively interest in this Movement to restrict the use of opium and other habit- forming drugs and is greatly concerned lest the good work already done should be made of no effect by a failure of
de signatories to mut the Convention into force.
There seeks resson to fear that one result of the war now being waged will be that many sufferers will have be- COME BO Accustomed to the use of opiates as to be in dan- er of enslavement thereby and that, unless prompt mee- Aures are taken to nut in force the Convention upon which the civilized Powers have reed, a widespread use of ɔpius derivatives will threaten the health and efficiency of their peoples.
Sr. Lansing states that he is sure that kids kajesty's Government have not lost interest in this imortant refora. The Goverment of the United States fully recognise that the "rosecution of the present war demands first attention, but as this matter is of such importance they are disvosed.... to believe that is Majesty's Government will not be unwil- ling to carry out their expressed intention of depositing their ratification at The Hague, particularly in view of the facts that the subject has alremuy been so thoroughly considered and that the Convention has been signed by them.
in laying this matter before you, I am interested to state that my Government hope that His Majesty's Government will are the oninion that the Fowers which stand for civit ization
work together for the protection of their peopleɛ aainst the forces that demoralien and that the si,matories of the Convention should not only ratify but,
by