Settlement Still Denied But Believed to Re Near: Those Ancient B. 1. Claims ¥nom OUR Own ConnssronoexT.
Peking, Mar. 30.
Quite " flurry was created by the insistent, reports over the week-end that the Gold Franc case had been settled. Both the Chinese Govern-
/Prench Legation issued it is quite clear that even a final settlement has not been reached, negotiations are wall on their way'to that end.
The rumours, which began last Thursday, had their origin undowbtinthe Government itself. is are still rather nervous extent and the manner of to a settlement among the political elements throughout the country, most of which are getting ready to seize on any opportunity for embarrassing the Government. A few premature rumours will act fas shock-absorbers, and may perhaps enable the" Government to weather the storm when it arrives without much damage. can be taken for grs the Government will not action until Chang Tso-lin's ap-Droval has been secured. He is now stated to be willing to agree to a tlement provided" he and his lieutenants share in the proceeds, which for the present amount to to fifteen million dollars.
has accumulated in the Shanghai foreign banks since December, 1922, on account of the French share of the Boxer Indemnity, and the French intimated sometime ago that it would be released to the Government on its acquiescence in their contention on the Gold Prane dispute.
The settlement that appears sight is apparently first concerned with the resuscitation of the Banque Industrielle de Chine. This will be done out of the Boxer Indemnity moneys, paid at the gold rate. When this is accomplished, or when the agreed upon, it is said that the balance will be remitted to China for cultural and educational purposes, in accordance with the French promise of several years ago.
When this protracted controversy terminates: the way will he clear the convening of the Taritf Conference provided for under the terms of the Washington Conference agreement. And then the present postprandial feelers about another reorganization loa probably: bbe expressed in more tangible terms, waiting of course upon reconsideration of the Consortium principles.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.