217
I should recommend the revocation of the Costume Regulations (see Sir Charles Mitchell at p.63 of print, paragraph 9), as the political circumstances in China are different from what they were thirty-five years ago.
If it is thought desirable to negotiate with the Chinese Government on the subject, it would be better to leave them to make proposals, if they find our action inconvenient to them.
(Initialled) E. S.
June 15th, 1903.