| Show OPIUM CONFER I 1 ra S agh ast DELEGATES OF JAPAN CHARGE discrimination AND BOLT FROM SESSION clash occurs over great britaina Brit ains position on import certificates outcome watched geneva the international conference for foi the suppression of the opium smoking in the far east V virtually ir collapsed when the japanese delegation announced that it could not sign the proposed agreement because of the dis discrimination crimin aaion against japan in connection with japanese importation of opium not since the corfu dispute between italy and greece has the palace of the league of nations been the scene of such tense incidents as marked the session of the opium conference the object of which was waa to arrange not alone for the suppression of opium smoking in the far east but for the curbing of excessive ftp eplum aum ium production in china in consequence of charges by the british delegate and the apparent impossibility to obtain satisfaction concerning japans freedom to purchase opium abroad the japanese delegation virtually bolted the conference the session adjourned with all the delegates admitting that the conference had virtually collapsed since it had achieved nothing on its program nevertheless on the earnest appeal of the presiding officer M van bettum of holland the delegates agreed to reassemble in the afternoon and take up in the tha program which were less contentious in nature mature than the questions which had produced the rupture this clash was caused by japans allegation that she was being discriminated against by other powers chiefly great britain in connection with the shipment of opium and further that when the japanese government issued import certificates they were not always recognized by the other powers the break was immediately due however to japanese resentment over the statement made by malcolm delevingne the british delegate that great britain could not habitually recognize import certificates because of scandals over them which involved high officials in one far eastern country whom he preferred not to name the british position was that despite regularly issued import tapers papers opium as well as other narcotic drugs often were diverted on the way to the country of purchase and rerouted to other destinations where they were used for illicit purposes and illicit gain thus bringing a stain on the name of great britain which permitted the export john campbell representing india took a similar stand which caused the japanese delegate to remark sar caustically casti cally that india seemed clearly under the dominion of england the japanese introduced a resolution providing that the importation exportation and transshipment of opium should be authorized when accompanied by a certificate issued by competent authorities it declared that the authorities of all ports should strictly abstain from any unfair discrimination on the ground of n tiona lity of a vessel or the origin oi 01 the goods |
