Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-27
SILVER QUESTION.
INDIA'S ACTION susPENolNa COIN
AGE DISCUSSED.
President Cleveland, Secretary Carlisle,
and tho Financial Oncsrs OF tho
Government In Council.
IBy telegraph TO the pIepatch.l ]

WASHINGTON, juno 2s.-Ths President.
Secretary Carlisle. and the financial officers
of the government generally received their
first authentic news Of the startling action
of the government of India in suspending
silver coinage through the press dis
patches. There had been rumors on the
subject earlier in tho day, but they were
passed upon as rumors only. though their
substantial accuracy VAS not doubted.
When the reports of Mr. Gladstone's
announcement IN tho House OF Com
mons and Lord kimberly's statement
In the House OF Lords were received the
gravity Of the situation became at onco
apparent. MIR. Carlisle immediately went
over To the White House and for nearly
two hours discussed the bearings OF
this action with the President without
reaching any positive conclusion as to q
line of action TO be adopted. The confer
ence was renewed at Woody, the Presl-
dents suburban home. later III the eve
ming and was protracted until far in the
night.
SERIOUS SUBJECT.
The circumstances are regarded az too
serious to permit of any authentic express
sion OK opiu.on as TO the future policy of
the United States until all the facts are
be stated with absolute, confidence. that
the action OF the India government in
closing the India mint in the free coinage
of silver is regarded by the United States
as doing away with the necessity for re-
conveninQ the international monetary
conference, which was to have met again
In Brussels this fall.
II Is not believed that this action was
taken without express orders from the
English government. which has general
supervision and control over India affairs
During the session of the international
monetary conference at Brussels last De-
cember General Strachey, delegate of
British India, in an address delivered be-
fore the conference. said AS an lpdica-
tlon OF the strange condition OF affairs II
may be further mentioned that there has
lately arisen IN India a serious agitation on
this subject. and that pressure has
been put on the government TO take
direct action for the purpose OF ap-
plying remedy 10 the numerous
evils which are regarded as being due to
the fall in the value of the rupee, Affecting
not only the public finances and admins
tration, but with equal severity numerous
commercial. industrial. and social IN
terests: and among the remedies pro-
posed and strongly advocated by many
influential persons and authorities IS the
adoption by India Of gold standard ana
the suspension of the free coinage of silver
at the India mints. In these circum-
stances the delegation of India have
been instructed that. while studying
with tho greatest care and gooC
will in concert with our col
leagues at the conference every practical
proposal suggested TO assure wider use OF
silver as currency. they are on no account
to give anv pledge that may interfere with
the complete freedom of the action of the
government of India IN respect TO any
measure affecting the currency OF India 1t
might desire to adopt
In view Of this announcement at the con-
ference the action Of the Indian govern
ment to-day was not altogether a surprise
to the Treasury officials. though what its
effect may be on the future action OF the
United States cannot be accurately gagged.