Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-26
THE CAUSE OF 81 LIVER
Possible Effect by the Change of Ministry
in England
Salisbury and BalfOur Are Both b.
metallists, bat VIII That Affect
the Governments Attitudef

The champions of silver In this country
have long contended that change of min
istry ir England whereby Lord Salisbury
would again become premier and Mr.. Bal
four leader of the house of commons would
| greatly inure to the benefit of the white
metal all over the world. Mr.. Balfour's
position. in particular, was understood TO be
so friendly to bimetallism that the greatest
| comfort attached to the bare prospect of
his return to Office. The muoh-discussed
and repeatedly predicted change has at
last taken place, and speculation follows
as to what the actual influence on the
| silver issue is likely to be.
BalfOur n Bimetnllist.
There is no dispute as to Mr.. Balfour's
personal views on this question. He is. by
his own confession, a bimetallst, and, if
fighting the battle of silver in parliament,
would urge an enlarged use of that metal
a, money. But does 1t follow that because
he Is returning to Office such a battle in
parliament will be fought? Does ne de-
sign, or can he be induced, to make
distinct issue OF silver? If not, of what
will his bare views on that question avail?
The silver question. lis pointed out, is
by no means the same in England as IT is
at present here. The new ministry will be
called upon to concern itself with many
important matters in no way connecting
with the finances. Besides, the finances OF
the realm have not heretofore been thrown
as a raw bait into the political arena. Is
there any sign that the rule will be chang
ell now?
An opportunity to change this rule will
occur i'll the choosing of the new parlia-
ment. If tie bmetallists believe firmly
enough in their cause and have the neces-
sary nerve the issue might be introduced
into the campaign. Such a course
would somewhat Americanize the proceed
ings. but it would serve to develop i'm
portant facts bearing on the silver ques-
ton as viewed in England. The voters
would have an opportunity to say at the
polls whether the realm should change. or
even discuss change of the esta Dlished
financial policy. And that would also give
Mr.. Balfour an opportunity to go on record
to the full extent Of his opinions, and to
invite Instructions on the subject. Then
when the returns came in he could tell
what was expected of the new government
on that as upon other subjects, and steer
the ship accordingly.
View of Sound Money Men.
The sound money men in this country,
however, have never attached any import
| ance to a change Of government In Eng
land. They attach no Importance so far as
free coinage is concerned to the present
change They regard the established finan-
cial policy of the empire as being stronger
than Mr.. Ba.four, or any other English
statesman. They do not believe it likely
that Mr.. Balfour or his chief will seek to
make any such issue either on the hustings
or in parliament, or that such an issue, II
raised, could win. England. in their opin-
Ion, is unalterably opposed to the free COIN
age of silver, and would speedily overthrow
any government seriously undertaking the
task of making any other representation Of
her attitude to the world.
Very shortly. therefore, and long before
the Fifty-fourth Congress meets. the silver
situation as affected by this change Of min
istry must appear. If England can be
brought to favor bimetallism at all. 1T must
| be now. Both Lord Salisbury and Mr. Bal
four as individuals favor it, and now is the
time for action. If England cannot be
brought to favor it now the hope of an in
| ternational agreement vanishes completely,
and the question then will be that of pro-
ceeding, IL at all. without England. That
is what the extreme free coinage men have
| been urging all along, and they will, of
course, urge it more strongly then than
! ever. And upon that line, then, the ques-
| ton will have to be settled. And the Ques-
ton will be- shall the United States proceed
not only without England, but in defiance
of England?