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codeine content would make the manufacturers glad to use it,
The real question for decision is whether the British Government is justified in allowing this enormous illicit traffic with the Far East to be carried on under the British flag without making any attempt to stop it.
The political considerations as regards our relations to Persia (which are referred to by Sir Percy Loraine in his telegram of 7th January) are no doubt weighty, but, in my view at any rate, the considerations on the other side are much weightier, and we have to consider our relations to the League of Nations in this matter, as well as our relations with Persia.
I see no objection, if the Foreign Office think it desirable, to the proposal being explained to the Persian Government before any definite step is taken, with a view to preventing any misunderstandings, provided no great delay ensues.
You will not forget that the Colonial Office is interested in this matter as well as ourselves, and that they equally support the rroposal to make the Regulations. If you would like to discuss the whole subject with myself and the Colonial Office, that might help to get the situation clear, and I can be t your service at any time. I regard the whole matter as so important that before any decision adverse to the Regulations is taken, the Home Secretary ought to] be consulted.
I should like to aad that Sir Percy Loraine seems, from the last sentence but one of his letter, not to understand the situation as regards the League of Nations very clearly. The League f powerless in this matter. Persia has not ratified the Convention or done anything to put its provisions into force. The League has mide representations time¦ after time to the Persian Government without any result whatever. Ferela | is represented at the meetings of the Assembly by their Hinister at Paris, a man of advanced years and with absolutely no knowledge of the question. Leanwhile, the illicit traffic goes on in huge and ever increasing proportions. There is no guarantee, as things are at present, that
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