British Legation,
511
Confidential.
10.577.
My Lord,
Tehran,
December 8th 1923.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship with reference to my Despatch No.576 of oven date that, when discussing the oplum question with me recently, Dr. 1llspaugh mentioned the existance of Persian Government monopoly, of which I was previously unaware, for the preparation and sale for consumption of the burnt residue of opium already smoked in a pipe. It a pears that the drug thus prepared is very much stro...er and infinitely more deleterious than when it is fresh, and that its consumption is regarded a a vice even
among abandoned opium-smokers. The monooly apparently brings in appreciable
reveque in to the Persian state coffers.
Dr. Lillspaugh was intensely shocked at this state of affairs and at the
existence of this unpardonably moral source of revenue;
but he seemed very
much puzzled to know how to deal with it, as the Persian Government's
conscience is unlikely to be very sensitive on the subject.
The matter is not one which directly concerns His Bajesty's Government ut the scandal is so appalling that I beg leave to suggest the advisability
of drawing the attention of the League of Nations to the matter in some unobtrusive manner in order that the competent organ of the League may have
an opportunity to address an enquiry to the Persian Government in regard to
the existence in this country of a traffic in burnt opium.
the most honourable
I have the honour to be with the highest respect,
phe Marquess Curzon of Keuleston, K.G.,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble Jervant,
PERCY LORAINE,
etc. etc.
etc.
FOREIGN OFFICE.