The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-22
MOVE FOR BIMETALLISM.
ENGLAND TO BE ASKED TO JOIN
A CONFERENCE.

Minister Lincoln Instructed to Test
the Feeling of the British Authori-
ties Eefore Formally Extending the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Garrison in
Favor of Putting Silver on a BIZ
metallic Basis.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Minister Lincoln
has been instructed TO invite Great Britain
60 join in an international conference on the
silver question if. in his opinion. the feeling
Of the English cabinet issuch as to justify
the invitation. The dissemination Of this
news about the capitol to-day caused great
qualification among the silver men, although
some OF them expressed regret that the in
vitation was not to be extended directly.
The instructions TO Minister Lincoln were
dispatched by direction Of the President
about ten days ago, after the disclosure Of
the democratic leaders in congress TO make
the plan for an international conference
measure of party policy.
HARRISON FAvoRs A CONFERENCE.
Senator Teller Of Colorado was called
into conference with the President and
other party leaders, and anticipated in
measure the democratic programme by in
PRODUCING bis resolution Of Jan. IL, express
ing the opinion of congress in favor of
conference. The action of the admin stra-
tion may have been hurried a little by the
disclosure Of a democratic programme, but
it was a purpose which the President had
had in mind all summer. He has often said
to senators and representatives who have
called upon him that nothing would give
him greater pleasure than to see silver
restored during his administration to its
position as a money metal, but that he
wanted to restore it in such way as TO Sc
cure an honest bimetalllsm and not silver
monometallism.
THE LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS.
The letter of instructions to Minister Lin
coin was dispatched from the state Depart
ment, but the facts embodied in it were
prepared by Secretary Foster. Secretary
Blaine, with the assistance Of Secretary
Foster, was able to tell Minister Lincoln of
the favorable reports regarding English
public feeling which were received from
MIR. Northcote, and to suggest that he test
the temper Of the English government fur
ther before making formal propositions. Il
was suggested to him TO inquire Of Chan
cellor Goschen if England was not ready
to make some agreement for the enlarged
use of silver, and, if she indicated that she
was ready, to ask her il she would not &C
cept an invitation to an international confer
ence or join in extending such an invitation.
Minister Lincoln has barely received this
communication from Secretary Blaine and
probably has not yet acted on it.
HOW CONGRESS CAN HELP.
The presence Of representatives OF the
United States at the international confer
ence does not require any action by con-
Gress. unless provision for paying the ex-
penses of the delegates, but since the mat
ter has become a topic OF public discussion
the President is not averse to an express
sion by congress in favor of bimetallism.
Such an expression, coming in the midst Of
Minister Lincoln's conferences with the
British government, might have very
beneficial effect and indicate the wishes of
the American people in a way which would
have influence in England and on the conti-
nent,