Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-23
SILVERMEN SATISFIED
They Are Glad at Mr.. Balfour's An
nouncemsnt.
NO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT
England Could Not Be Brought to
BimetaIIism.
M r.. RIS P'S T r P
MR.. RIS P'S TRIP

Mr. Balfour, in the house of commons
yesterday, set the seal of disappointment
on the hopes Of those silver men who had
been counting SO fervently on an interna-
tional agreement. He gave it as his opin-
ion that such an agreement in the interest
Of bimetallism could not be reached. The
question therefore follows, why further
agitate the proposition of an international
conference?
This opinion does not surprise the more
extreme silver men in Washington. They
have been looking for it. 1t is in conso-
nance with their own views, held from the
moment Of the ascertainment of the great
conservative victory in England. They
knew Mr.. Balfours personal feelings in
the premises, but they predicted that silver
could not materially benefit from them.
And SO it proves to be. For all that he is
the leader of the largest majority in the
house of commons of modern times, Mr..
Balfour can do nothing toward the rehabil-
itaticn Of silver as redemption money.
This announcement is a. source of comfort
to the free coinage men. They hail it as
simplifying the issue in this country. In
their opinion, the settlement Of tho ques-
ton has for six years at least been re-
tarded by glittering promises of securing
England's aid in the fight. And yet, as
they hold, it has never been among the
probabilities to enlist England in the-cause.
The old evasion, therefore, Is no longer
serviceable England is not in it, and can
no longer be used by the men who, they
claim, have been hiding behind her.
An Agreement Impossible.
The question now is thought to be stripped
of all membranes. 1t must be decided
purely in its relation to the policy Of this
country. An International agreement Is
pronounced improbable by an authority
from which there would appear to be no
appeal Can the United States afford to
open her mints to both metals without re-
gard to other countries? And shall she do
so?
Mr.. Balfour's pronunciamento comes, in
good time. The election this year in but
one stase Is likely to be affected by it. Mr..
McCrearys campaign in Kentucky for
United States Senator Is based upon the
The few silver men, therefore, who may
have been attracted to him on that line
will probably go over to Mr.. Blackburn,
who is urging free coinage without agree
ment, or else go over to ex-Gov. Buckner,
who is for the gold standard outright. A
definite choice one way or the other will
have to be made. The situation in the other
states Is such that the silver issue has
practically been postpored until next year,
and SO 1t will not be until then that this
official declaration with regard to England
will have its full effect in this country. And
the free coinage men are glad of this.
MIR. Crtsp'S Trip.
Growing out of the discussion of this
subject Is an explanation Of the visit
abroad of Mr.. Crisp. The ex-Speaker is q
member of the board of commissioners
recommended and partly filed ty the last
Congress to represent the United States
at an International monetary conference
should one be called. 1t is said that sew
eral months ago Mr.. Crisp became salts
fed that a conference was unlikely, and
that il he was to acQuaint himself at first
hand with the views of foreign statesmen
on the silver question 1t must be by means
of visit an individual. His friends
agreed with him, and advised the trip.
They pointed out that, as leader Of the
minority in the next House, where the
finances are certain to be SO strongly de-
hated he would need all the information
he could acquire, and that It should be Of
the most reliable character. This is said
to have decided the matter, and he set at
once about preparing for the journey. So,
whether there is held a conference or not,
Mr.. Crisp will be ready next winter to dis
cuss the silver question according to the
best European lights. and N a conclusive
manner