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the tentative programme proposed in the
Circular letter of the United States Gov-
ernment. These they are not prepared to
discuss, and in particular they would wish
to exclude from consideration by the Con-
ference
(1) The arrangement made between His
Majesty's Government and China respecting
the progressive restriction of opium im-
ports and of opium production in China.
(2) Other existing Treaties between
the two countries.
I should also draw Your Excellency's
attention to the fact that in item (a) of
the programme the epithet "uniform" is op-
posed to the express finding of the Shang-
hal Commission. The Commission recognis-
ed that the production, manufacture and
distribution of opium could not be subject-
ed to uniform laws, and it appears undesir-
able to His Majesty's Government in view
of this finding that the question should
again be raised.
Subject