Regarding the question of using a portion of the Customs Surplus to pay the expenses of Chinese Legations and Consulates abroad, Sir Francis said "When the Government approached me on this subject, explained to them that I could only accede to their request la tiis matter provided they would undertake on their part to renew the regular monthly handing over of the Salt Revenue on the basis of $14,000,000 per annum. Until that is done, it will be a case ofa choice between two evils—either the fall of confidence in the internal bonds, or the disaster of having Chinese Legations and Consulates abroad closed up."
Mr. Shen said that a national conference of the Federa'
Chinese Banking would be held in Shanghai on the 15th instant and that this question of dealing with the critical financial situation of the Chinese Legations and Consulates abroad would be thoroughly discussed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.