The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-27
VIII Take No Steps Looking
to Restoration Of Silver.
DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS
William Vernon Hareonrt Says the
Government Is Mono -MetalIist.
He Denies That Decentralization OF sill
ver Canses the Depression England
VIII Not Place Her Currency Under
International Control.

isonftcn. Feb. es.-Robert L. Everett,
Liberal. today moved in the house OF COM
mons the bimetaiIir resolution which was
approved On Friday last by the pariia-
mentary coESHittee OF the Bimetaillc
League. Thrresolution In substance was
that this house regards with increasing
apprehension the constant fluctuations
and growing divergence In the relative
value of gold and ssIver. and heartily con-
ours In the recent expression of opinion
upon the part OF the government of
France and the government; and pariia-
ment OF Germany in regard TO the serious
evils resulting therefrom- II therefore
urges upon the government the desirabr-
ity Of cooperating with other nations in
an International confereAcs TO consider
what measures can be taken 10 mitigate
these evils
Henry Chaplain. Conservative, seconded
the resolution. and presented the sifua-
tion in India as proving the necessity OF
an international understanding on the
subject. He urged the government to re-
open the Indian mints, provided the other
powers re-opened theirs. and 10 give every
facility for promoting the increased use of
silver IN England. short of changing her
own standard
Sir wglsiau Vernon Harcourt adnsstted
that the question was a grave one. but
denied that the distress In husoandry was
tia 10 the decentralization Of silver. Hus-
bandry was never in more rusnons state
than during she period when the dual
standard of~sliver and gold existed, and
he was as convinced Of the value or
recommendation as Mr.. Chaplain of the
value OF bimetaliism. He reviewed the
negotiations with the United States which
led TO the Brussels conference ami said
that the British refusal 10 discuss the
proposal to open the minis OF the various
countries for the coinage OF silver was the
position adopted by the present govern
ment. and he hoped II wsJtisd be adopted
by every responsible government The
plan OF the late government, however.
had been TO consider what measure could
be taken 10 increase the use OF silver In
the currency between nations. The state
ment that the failure OF the conference
was due 10 premature resolution offered
ny Charles Rivers Wilson was unfounded.
The resolution WAS abandoned owing to
the opposition Of the other delegates, and
the result OF the conference
was that the great majority OF
the delegates agreed in favor OF mono
metalisa currency and gold standard.
In regard to the recent attitude of Ger
many. there appeared TO be an Idea that
she had changed the OPINION which she
had held In favor of gold standard, but
he believed the recent declaration OF
Prince Hoheniohe 9id not amount to any
thing of the kind The declaration, how
ever. no doubt implied desire upon the
part of Germany TO discuss with the other
powers the means TO mitigate the evils
which had arisen from the depreciation
in the vaiue OF silver. It Germany made
proposals with that object in view, her
nsajssty's government would be ready to
enter the discussion with friendly spirit.
while al the same time. adhering TO its
own country No country was so deeply
interested as England In maintaining the
currency on a sound basis and con-
tinuity of this currency policy was a
necessity.
As Mr. Everetts motion dbd not commit
the government 10 an agreement to BIZ
metalifsns. and as the government did not
deny the existence OF the evils referred
TO. and as the resolutions only invited
the government to Join in any com.nun@-
cations on the subject, whether in the
form OF conference or otherwise wfta
the great states OF Europe. he would not
oppose the ula.ion. He was unwilling 20
place the currency OF this country upon
which commerce depended At the mercy
or any foreign nation. He declined to
place the currency OF England under the
control Of any international committee,
adding: 'slr France ard Germany or any
other powers wish To combine on the
question they can do 81. but II Is ncs for
Great britain 10 follow yheir example" ="
Mr. fsverett's motion WIS adopted
without division