CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 539

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Dear Newton,

INDIA OFFICE,

WHITEHALL, S.W.2.

30th April, 1924.

528

Many thanks for your letter of 3rd April.

We do not wish any changes made in the enclosed

memorandum, but the following suggestion has occurred to us

in connection with the alternative No.3 in paragraph 14

and our Secretary of State would be glad if it could be

considered.

If this alternative is adopted, 1.0. if it is

decided to ask the Persian Government to co-operate in

controlling exports, it might also perhaps be worth

while to approach the United States Government first

and invite them to address simultaneous representations

to the Persian Government in concert with us.

As you know, the League of Nations Committee

of Preparation for the forthcoming Opium Conference has

received certain proposals submitted on behalf of the

Government of the United States, These are contained in

League of Nations document. No.C.156.M.37. 1924., XI dated

18th March, 124. Among the suggestions which are made

therein by the United States Government (without, of course,

committing themselves to a definite plan, but apparently as a

basis for any scheme or convention draw up by the Conferences)

there are the following: -

"The cultivation of the opium poppy -- to be

redused to the amount --- sufficient for medicinal and

scientific requirements only---".

"The acceptance of the principle that no state

should rely upon the revenue from the control of opium ---

for purposes of operating the Government beyond the expenses

incident