Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-04-20
A CONFERENCE.
The Silver Question to BE Discussed Thor.
@ughiy by the English and the United
STATE. Gor-rnincnfs

The Silver Question to BE Discussed Thor.
pughiy by the English and ,he United
States Governments
NEW NoRS. April 1s.-Positive ;nfor.
nation that = definite proposition Tor an
international conference ON silver has
lately come from the English govern.
ment 60 the United States government
II in possession of q few well-infornea
persons in this city and Washington.
two of whom have let out the secret.
Land Commissioner Thomas II. Car
ter. formerly delegate and late con.
gresham from Montana. "A free silver
advocate, and senator Teller have re-
GENTLY reported that proposition had
been made TO the United States by Eny-
land for an International conference on
the general uses of silver rs money
metal.
There is good reason 70 believe that
specific information rs TO the terms OF
the proposition is now first to be given
To the public. The night before Secre-
tary Foster sailed for Europe for his
health he received a document through
the regular diplomatic channels from
Chancellor Goschen in the English min
y
glanced over and made known TO three
or four of the eminent financiers and
pubic men who had gathered To see
him off on February -
Mr., Goschon's proposition, as IL came
10 Secretary Foster, contemplates the
holding OF an international conference
for the purpose of considering means
Tor the extension of the use of silver as
money metal. There is no reference
TO bi-metalism. free silver coinage or
bullion purchases, on which silver certi-
hcateS are issued to serve as currency.
but It's broad terms imply that the prop
osition covers these means, as well as
Others, as subject TO investigation by
the conferrecs. In another particular
the proposition is unsatisfactory 10 this
country. No proposition has yet been
suggested that viii insure the ratifica-
ton by the respective governments of
any agreement. which a conference
might reach.
There is likely 10 be considerable cor
respondence on these points before any
agreement for a conference is made
Such conference would be valueless
unless 1t determined on what ratio the
coinage of gold and silver could be
safely carried ON by the four greatest
nations of the world-the United States,
England, France and Germany-with
their credit pledged to maintain the
coinage value of silver at axed ratio
on par with gold.
The full text of Mr. Goschen's letter
will probably not be made known for
some time, but its substance is
given above with sufficient accur-
acy 10 show it's great Importance. 1t viii
be remembered that when Secretary
Foster left Washington 10 take his trip
abroad he had arranged TO 20 through
TO Bremen on the Spree of the North
German Lloyd line. Instead Of doing
so he left that steamer and proceeded TO
London where he met Mr. Goschen in
person. The change in the plan of his
trip was caused by Mr.. Goschen's letter
on the eve of sailing. 1t can not be
doubted that the international silver
conference was one of the subjects of
their discussion, and that the PROPOSE
ton took shape in those conferences
which will eventually be worked to
some practical end.
England's great eastern possessions.
India, trade exclusively with silver
money. and the extraordinary decline
in the value of silver in late years
caused anxiety in England Hitherto
England has been ready 10 send high
commissioner 10 an international
monetary conference To confer with
commissioners from France. and the
United States. but she has e,t-
pressly refused TO bind herself 20
accept the result of such dclibera-
tions. international conferences have al
ways failed for this reason II the
chancellor of the exchequer. Mr.. Cos
chen, has brought the English ministry
to approach the subject in a different
spirit now. it is victory of intcrna-
tional Importance.
The United States government has
now ll.000 tons of silver stored in the
treasury vaults at Washington. and il Is
adding about $50 tons month 20 the