CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 464

In any further communication

on the subject, please quote

No. 146169/10F/18.

and address-

The Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office,

London.

Sir,

O

460

42682

FOREIGN OFFICE S.V.1.,

IREC

Augu a t

3/

F

1918.

Res 2 SEP 18

I al directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transit to you copy of a Note from the United States Ambassador on the subject of the enforcement of the International Opium Convention of Jamary 23rd, 1912,

Mr. Balfour would suggest, if Mr. Secretary Long concurs that the United States Ambassador should be informed in reply that the British ratification of the 1912 Convention was deposited at the Hague on July 15th, 1914, but that, while sympathising with the objects which the United States Government have in view in preventing the widespread use of opium derivatives which, it is feared, the sufferings caused by the War may have the effect of encouraging, His Majesty's Government observe that, though the Protocol opened at the Hague contemplates the putting into force of the Convention by the ratifying Powers, it does not provide for the introduction by them of the necessary legislative measures; that His Majesty's Government hold that the co-operation of all the signatory Powers is essential to make the Convention effective, and that no advantage will be gained by putting it into force unless the obligation to carry out necessary legislation is imposed on the ratifying Powers. For these reasons His Majesty's Government

fear that no useful purpose will be served by their consenting to sign the Protocol opened at the Hague, to

receive

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

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