The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-06
HOLDS THE KEY.
England is Mistress of the BIZ
Metallic Situation,
So Says an Ex-Official of the
British Cabinet.
SHE Is NOT READY
Therefore Nothing Will be Done
in His Opinion.
She Might Compromise on Open
ing the MINIS of India

NEW YORK, March "a special dis
patch to the World from London says:
Henry Chaplin, the president of the
board of agriculture in Lord Salisbury's
last cabinet, and more than likely TO be
in the next conservative ministry, was
asked if the English bimetallists think
their cause has been advanced by the
action of parliament
"The fact that Mr.. Everett's motion
was carried unanimously" he answered,
while motion 10 the same effect was
defeated by majority of eighty last
year, denotes marked advance in pub
lie opinion; and it is upon public opinion
in England that the solution of the prob
lem will depend.
THE recent action of the German and
British governments amounts to an en-
phatic recognition of the grave evils
which arise from the present relations of
the two metals. Moreover, the house of
commons has expressed its serious ap-
prehension at the growing character OF
these evils.
sin view of these considerations there
can hardly be a doubt that the possibili-
ty of the solution of the currency prob
lem has been advanced by the recent
action of the German and British parlia-
ments."
vitations to conference Is it likely that
the British representatives would be Civ
en- a free hand?"
"Ihe memorandum for the guidance
of our delegates at Brussels" replied
Mr. Chaplin, contained the following
| instructions:
1.-The invitation to the conference
contemplates the study of measures for
the extended use of silver which may be
! prepared under it
''The English delegate may suggest d
scheme for a double standard. Her
majesty's government does not limit the
| powers of the British delegates in the
first instance by any prohibition to enter
on such field of inquiry as members OF
the conference may desire to cover.
Now it appears extremely unlikely
that the instructions of the delegates to
any future conference will be in any way
curtailed in these respects"
~But would the return of your party
to power be likely to produce any change
in the policy of the government towards
| bimetallism?"
Currency reform never has been and
has not yet become a party question, y
was Mr.. Chaplin's response.
Among the supporters of our move
| meent there are probably as many Liber-
ais as Unionists The present Chancel-
Tor of the Exchequer Sir William
Harcourt, has been hitherto the
most prominent opponent in the
present government to any change. Ii
the Unionist party comes into power his
influence would naturally be lesseneC
and to that extent an impeachment to re-
form would be removed"
"And do you look for an international
agreement on bi-metallic basis?"
sit depends, l believe" Mr.. Chaplin
said, ION the attitude of England. There
is wide and probably we'll founded i'm
preston that if England were prepared
to join in an arrangement for the free
coinage of silver there would be very
little hesitation on the part O
other nations, but public opinion in Eng
land, and especially in this city. is no
sufficiently advanced to warran. such
proposal by the English government a
present It is steadily progressing, how
ever, and its position may material
ly alter at no distant date
other countries should be will
ing to reopen their mint
10 the free coinage of silver on the IN
Outstanding that Great Britain would
agree to reopen the India minis, the OPP
position in this country to that move
ment which is very powerful now, could
l believe, be speedily overcome"