New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-20
TIE SILTER CONFERENCE.

II the President Is correctly reported, his "Trip
for needed recreation and ducks has deprived
him Of some important information and placed
him a little behind the age, to speak. on Mt
Ions, ono question. The NcwYork Herald
reports him as saying that he will accept any
invitation that may be extended ty European
Powers TO an international conference OH the
sllvcr oues,ion. which Is obviously right, but
"thc Administration" II Is stated, does not con-
slider that the language Of Congress In selecting
delegates rcstricts them from attending Il CON
ference Of altogether different character. This
is a matter Of some importance. ana should DE
fully considered by the President before he has
10 take action.
Congress selected delegates for a specific kind
Of conference and for one which III all PROD
ability will not be held. Statements recently
made by members of the British Ministry make
II plaIn that the Government Of Great Britain
will not Join in any conference for the avowed
urrpose Of determining upon free coinage OF
silver But Congress did not select delegates
to any other kind Of conference. The language
usod i'm the Sundry Civil bill confines It's scec-
ton 10 any international conference with 4
..yiew 10 secure internationally fixity OF rela-
"tiyc value between gold and silver as money,
"bv means of n common ratio between these
"metals. with free coinage at such ratio" Ger
many certainly will not call any conference or
that sort nor will England join In call for
any such conference, and it is safe to say that
none will be held. But Congress selected dele
gates to that kind OF conference and no other.
If any, other conference Is called the Presi-
dents powers and duties In regard to 1t are
precisely what they would have been II Con
crcss had taken no action. He will have alum
dant justification In accepting the invitation,
without action Of Congress, and in appointing
delegates to represent the wishes and interests
Of the people Of the United States So much
he can do and evidently ought to do though the
call will in all probability look TO kind of CON
| ference for which Congress has made no pro-
| vision whatever But in the selection OF dele
| gates The President will in that case not only
be IA free\as II Congress had taken no action.
| but will be bound to consider that the men who
were judged best fitted to urge free coinage, in
conference called for that distinct object will
be not the men who can best represent the
| wishes and interests of this country in a con-
ference called fo1 the purpose Of finding some
basis Of international agreement
1t is plain enough that delegates committed
In advance 10 Tree coinage, as the only possible
solution Of the question, would arouse the
strongest prejudice and opposition at the start
from other Powers which are honestly seeking
some basis Of agreement, but are not yet con-
WINGED that free coinage would be safe or Of
any use. To influence men in that state Of be-
lief this country ought TO select delegates who
are equally ready to meet the question with
open minds. and with sincere desire TO reach
an agreement. The men selected expressly for
the purpose of insisting upon free coinage, and
nothing else. would by that very, fact be marked
rs unpreparcd to join or fair terms with repre-
sentatives OF other Powers striving in good faith
| to find a course upon which all can unite.
Should 1t be the Presidents duty to select
| delegates to any such conference as Germany
Is likely to CALL he might properly consider that
| the men chosen by Congress to attend very