The herald., 1895-02-27
The Silver Question Has Arrived
in Old England
STAND OF THE LIBERALS
Substance OF the BimetalIic Leagues
Resolution
The Matter Considered as a Grave One by the
Oovernment--tow the Matter
Is Viewed


Liberal, moved in the House of Commons
the bimetallc resolution which was ap-
proved on Friday last by the Parliamen-
tary committee of the Bimetallic League.
The resolution in substance was that
this body regards with increasing appre-
hension the constant fluctuations and
growing divergence in the relative value
of gold and silver, and heartily concurs
in the recent expression of opinion up
on the part of the Government OF France
and the Government and Parliament OF
Germany in regard to the serious evils
resulting therefrom. 1t therefore urges
upon the Government and the desirablllty
of cooperating with other nations in an
international conference to consider what
measures can be taken to mitigate these
evls.'
Henry Chaplain Conservative, seconded
the resolution and presented the situa-
tion of 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 reopened theirs, and to give every
facility for promoting the increased use
of silver in England, short OF changing
her own standard
Sir William Vernon Harcourt admitted
that the question was grave one but
denied that the distress in husbandry was
due to the demonetization of silver. Hus-
bandry was never i'll more rulnous state
than during the period when the duality
of gold and silver existed, and he was as
convinced of the value of monometallsm
as Mr.. Chaplain of the value O. bimetall-
ism. He reviewed the negotiations with
the United States which led to the Brus-
sells conference and said the British refusal
to discuss the proposal to open the mints
of the various countries for the coinage OF
silver was the position adopted by the
present government and he hoped it
would be adopted by every responsible
government. The plan of the late govern
ment, however, had agreed to consider
what measure could be taken to increase
the use of silver in the currency between
| nations.
The resolution was abandoned owing
to the opposition of the other delegates,
and the result of the conference was that
| the great majority of delegates agreed IN
| favor OF a monometallic currency and a
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 Hohenlohe did not amount to any
thing of the kind. The declaration,
however, no doubt implied desire upon
the part of Germany to discuss with the
| ~ tn q
evils which had arisen from the depre-
citation in the value of silver. If Germany
made proposals with that object in view,
her majesty's COVE ernment would be ready
to enter the discussion with a friendly
| spirit while at the same time adhering
to its own country. No country was so
deeply interested as England in MAIN
tanning the currency on a sound basis
and continuity of this currency policy
! was a necessity.
As Mr.. Everett's motion did not COM
NIT the Government to an agreement to
bimetalsm and as the Government did
| not deny the existence of the evils referred
to and as the resolution only invited the
Government to join in any communities
| tions on the subject whether in the form of
conference or otherwise with the great
states of Europe, he would not oppose the
! motion. He was unwilling to place the
currency of this country upon which COM
merce depended at the mercy of ahv for
eign nation. He declined to pla . the
currency of the country upon which com
merce depended at the mercy of any for
eign nation. He declined to place the cur
ency of England under the control of
any international comittee, adding: "If
France and Germany or any other powers
wish to combine on the question they can
do so. But it is not for Great Britain to
follow their example.
Mr.. Everetts motion was adopted with
| out division.