In_the Senate this afternoon the Chairman explained that Mr. Wang Ko-ming had not withdrawn his resignation, while Mr. Kao Ling-wei was still ill, but Dr. Wellington Koo - would address the Senate.
Dr. Koo emphasized that he spoke as Foreign Minister and not as a representative of the whole Government. He said that on Febr 10 Mr. Huang Fu informed the French Legation that China would pay in gold francs. The French Minister on February 13 requested the Government to act in accordance with Mr. Huang Fu's promise, while on Febru 24 the French Minister,. int wing Marshal Tsao Kun, expressed satisfaction ab the Government's—promise. Since then M, de Fleurian had repeatedly requested a settlement on that basis, while the signatory Powers had again and again urged China to pay in gold. On November 23 the Waichiaopu, replying tothe Ministers of the signatory Powers, informed them that it was impossible to pay the French, Italian, Belgian and Spanish indemnities in gold. Last year the Belgian Minister agreed to the postponement of the Belgian share for two years, but had since notified China_that it must be paid in gold. Dr. Koo had now telegraphed to experts abroad, asking them for legal opinions. When these were received,' they would help China in reaching a final decision.
Some Senators showed dissatisfaction, saying that they wanted a full oficial statement from the Giovernment and Messrs. Kao Lin-wei, Wang Ko-ming and Wellington Koo must give such a statement on Wednesday. The Senate adjourned with that understanding.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.