File No. 800.114/22
[Untitled]
Washington, July 3, 1916.
To the Diplomatic Officers of the United States
Gentlemen: Referring to the Department’s circular instructions of March 11 and July 8, 1914,10 regarding the laws and regulations of foreign countries governing the importation of opium and cocaine and their derivatives, I have now to inform you that since the greater part of the information regarding these laws and regulations was received, a new factor has entered the situation in the shape of the International Opium Convention proclaimed by the President on March 3, 1915.11
As that Convention requires the contracting powers to take certain measures for the regulation of imports of opium, cocaine, etc., it is desired that you request of the government to which you are respectively accredited, a statement of the conditions under which [Page 14] they will permit the importation of the articles in question, in order that the regulations which Section 6 of the Opium Act of January 17, 1914, requires the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and tire Secretary of Commerce to make may be early formulated and published.
With a view to acquainting those governments with what the Government of the United States has done in the regulation of imports of these drugs, I enclose a copy of Treasury Decision 34221 of March 3, 1914, containing a copy of the Opium Act of January 17, 1914, and the regulations thereunder.
Inasmuch as it is necessary to consider in this connection imports in the mails, it may be stated to each government that “poison such as opium” was prohibited by the United States from transmission in the regular mails and the parcel post exchange with foreign countries.
You will give this matter immediate attention and forward to the Department the statement requested as soon as possible.
I am [etc.]