Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-08
SILVER IN ENGLAND
Bimetallism to Be a Feature in the
Coming Campaign.
THE RESULT WATCHED WITH INTEREST
Its Effect lyon the United States
Financial Policy.
AN INTERESTING SITUATION

In recent issue of The Star attertion
vas called to the fact that the sympathy
alone of the conservative leaders in Eng
land with bimetallism would be of but
small service to the cause Of silver in the
United States. The point to be considered
was would Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Bal
four make bimetallism, or permit 1t to be
made. a feature in the campaign for the
election of a new parliament. Their per-
soral sympathy. 1t was pointed out, would
count fof nothing. In order for silver to
receive any assistance worthy the name
1t would be necessary for the return of the
conservatives to power. to be coupled with
the assurance that the party as well as
the leaders would propose some change
loo king to silver's interest in the financial
policy of 'he realm.
silver in the Campaign.
Yesterdays London cables show that the
question is to enter distinctly into the
csmpaign. The announcement Is made
that the Bimetallic League of England has
issued an address, and that the candl-
dates in two hundred and fifty consult
uercies are to be interrogated as 10 tnelr
financial views. This looks like business,
and il carries comfort to the silver men
over here 1t is not unlikely, indeed, that
the step has been taken at the instance OF
the silver leaders on this side OF the
water. -
code that England holds the key to the
whole financial situation. the world mas
been brought to gold basis by her. she
is the great creditor nation. win cor,
RESPONDENTS in every civilized center, ana
with an influence reaching all the way from
thrones down TO country banking houses.
Smoking in the vernacular, whatever she
saws on the money question goes England,
as matters now stand, Is for gold. But
bimetallism has its adherents IN the reai1i,
and II so turns out that the leaders OF tne
conservative party, now asking controi
again. and with flattering prospects OF
obtaining it. among the NUMBER;
Clearly therefore, the time is now at manu-
fer the ascertanment of how strong ol-
metallsrn is in England. and, If 1t is strong
enough, to apply that policy to England
affairs.
England Would Settle 1t.
And If England should decide for bimetal-
lism that would also settle the question in
the United States. There are but few gold
men, per Sc, In this country. Both OF the
old partles, the one speaking through the
President and the other through Mr. Sher-
man. are for bimetallsm. They assert
their willingness to go as far IN behall OF
silver as Is consistent with the obhgatlohs
growing out of this countrys trade Win
other nations They are willing TO move
along with other nations and keep abreast
of them in maintaining medium OF eS-
change of general acceptabihty nat
they oppose is the idea that TINS couti,ss ny
can move alone in the premises ana the
proposition that 1t go forward ana Hthe
the coinage of silver free without REGARD 10
England Oh any of the continental powers.
If England, under Lord Salisbury, oeclues
for a larger use of silver as redeemlng
money the financial question In the United
States will be brought to an lmmedlate
settlement
The Outlook.
But what is the outlook in England?
Simply because the Bimetallc League
there is busy may argue nothing OF I'M
pcrtance in the campaign. The Bimetallic
League in this country issued manifesto
and nominated a candidate for the pres-
dency months ago, but today no result of
that action is anywhere observable.
Neither of the old parties has been dis
rupted by 1t. The silver republicans failed
at the club meeting at Cleveland. and the
silver democrats have been getting de-
cidedly the worst of the scrapping in their
party ranks. Silver may fare no better in
England. The probability would seem to
be that it will not fare better. Gold, as
IedeemIng money, is stronger in England
than in the United States. And then, for
all that the Bimetallic League may be do
ing, Lord Salisbury himself Is not asking
power on the money question. The finances
bad nothing whatever to do with Lord
Rcsebery's fail Money, far, has not
been mentioned by any conservative leader
In connection with the retdrn of his party
to responsibility. Other and, to England
more important issues are at stake, and
the key of the contest is pitched for them
An Interesting Situation.
But suppose Lord Salisbury or Mr. Bal
four should take up the money question In
the campaign with the intimation of a
strong desire to change the existing finan-
cial policy of the realm? What would be
the effect on the large business centers?
What would London, Liverpool. Birming-
ham, Manchester, Leeds and other great
towns say? How would they respond? The
old Gladstone policy, which Lord Rosebery
Inherited. was criticised on the score of its
making against the prestige of the empire.
The legislation proposed for Ireland would,
It was charged, weaken, If not destroy. the
bond of union keeping the empire powerful
in the eyes of other nations. How would
the great capitalists, whose values have
been established and are being maintained
on the gold basis, feel toward n leader Of
feriug a change of basis? Would not their
influence be thrown to the other side?
Would not they charge that the credit of
the realm. as in the other case the political
prestige. was being attacked and i'm
periled?
The English situation is almost as in
teresting to the silver men in this country
as is the situation over here. And they are
watching 1t anXiously.