Peking, Mar. 28, It is alleged in some Chinese circles that, though no actual signature has yet been made, an agreement is very near on the gold franc question. This, however, considered doubtful, as there still fare many obstacles to be overcome.
Te is known that the Kuomintang is strenuously opposed to a settlement and it is now suggested that Marshal Chang Tso-lin is not very Janxious to see an agreement reach-fed. It is pointed out in this connexion tha: a settlement would mean the releasing of " large sum lof money, usually stated to be about $12,000,000. The military leaders would demand the bulk of this sum, which would be much more. useful Marshal Chang's rivals than to himself, as they are in far grenter need of funds for equipment and payment of troops and similar expenses.
It is obvious that these militarists Jon the other hand are anxious to see a settlement.—Reuter's Pacific Service.
"Terms of Settlement Peking, Mar. 30.
Judging by 2 statement made to the Bastern News Agency by the French Minister to the effect th such progress had been made negotiations on the gold france issue that an agreement shortly would be ined between the French and (Chinese authori tice, there seems to reason to believe tha a. provisional agreement was signed on March 25. Moreover, the Chinese thorities concerned also have stated that, an-understanding hav-jing. been obtained from leading militarists and statesmen, the agree ment officially will be signed on or about April 10 between the reprefaentatives of the French and Chinese Governments. The substance Jot the agreement is being kept strictly secret, but according to information emanating from a reliable Chinese source, the following seem ipal items in the reement:
means of 8 telegraphic money (1) Payment is to be made by riers in accordance with the Treaty concluded in 108.
The. telegraphic money order ig nat to be based on old france but is to be converted into over to the Banque Industrielle de Chine to be employed as funds for the revival of the bank.
(4) A sum of one franes is to be set aside as funds to be used for Franco-Chinese education.
(5) The sum of about 10,000.- (000 frane notes deposited in the Chinese Maritime Customs for two years, namely, from December 1, 1922, to December 1, 1924. is to be used by the Chinese Gov-"ernment us emergency political her share of the Boxer Indemnity. The payment of the amount' the ese Government is to pay the Banque Industrielle de Chine is to be completed in two years after the time specified in the Peace Protocol of 1901.
(7) Following the formal conclusion of this. agreement, the Chinese Ministry of Finance 's to notify the acting Inspector-General of the Chinese Maritime Customs and is at the same time authorized to use the sum reserved in the Maritime Customs—Eastern News Agency.
(A message from our Peking correspondent, telegraphed on March stated that rumours of a settle. ment, though categorically denied responsible French and Chinese authorities, were insistent in politiical and financial circles, Inquiries Jwere convincing that a settlement had. not been reached, but were equally convincing that one -might be expected within a week or two.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.