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inconceivable that means should be found to remedy
this state of affairs in the future; they are indeed
inclined to believe, that prohibition while opening a
wide field for fraud and smuggling will tend to be-
come less and less effective as time goes on.
Finally, it must not be forgotten that the Chi-
nese authorities are now able to manufacture in their
own arsenals large quantities of arms including wea-
pons of modern description from materials which are
not subject to prohibition.
In these circumstances His Majesty's Government
can come to no other conclusion but that it would be
inexpedient to seek for an extension of the term of
prohibition, and they must therefore ask Your Excel-
lency to explain to the Russian Government the reasons
for which they find themselves unable to join in any
proposals to the Chinese Government with this object.
I have, &c.,
(signed) Lansdowne
I