The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-25
IS DISPOSED OF,
BIlIETALLISM QUESTION SETTLED
BY MIR. BALFoUR.
British Journals Discuss the cues
ton of Absorbing Interest to
American People.

ONDON, Aug. e4.-[Copyrighted by
the Associated Press. There has not
been much stir in the world of polisics
during the past week. An exception,
however. should be noted in the case
Of the reply made on Thursday last in
the house by the first lord Of the treas
ury, the Right Hon. A. j. Balfour, to
Sir John Leng, Liberal member for
Dundee, who asked whether he would
advise the government to invite an in
ternational money conference.
Mr.. Balfour said: 81 am and have
always been in favor of an information
al agreement but have not the right
to pledge my colleagues, and 1 do not
believe that an International agreement
would be helped by an international
conference
The Daily News this morning says:
MIR. Balfour's answer disposes of BIZ
metallism so far as this government is
concerned, and we are heartily glad of
it, because we believe that bimetallism
spells ruin for the great creditor
countries of the world. Mr.. Balfour
has gone further even than Sir William
Harcourt, who did not object to con-
ference provided the British delegates
were instructed to vote against debas-
ing the currency"
In bimetallic circles, however, anoth-
er complexion is put on lhe matter
The officials of the Bimetallic league
especially dwell on the fact that Mr.
Balfour'S remarks referred to an i'm
mediate conference and it is claimed
that as a matter Of fact this really re-
veals the expectancy on the part of
the government that a. successful con-
ference can subsequently be arranged.
The Bimetallic league officials there
fore declare themselves pleased with
the answer of the first lord of the
treasury.
The Westminster Gazette this after
noon, discussing the silver question in
America, says: 1.-THE final vote of the
Ohio Democratic convention against
free silver cannot have material bear
ing, whatever may be the outcome Of
the controversy on this question. 1t is
an undoubted fact that the present
uncertainty is having a most pernicious
effect upon the well-being of the Uni
ted States. But should it ultimately
be decided to establish fixed ratio be-
tween gold and silver, it does not in
any wise follow that what will suit
America will be an acceptable or wise
policy for Great Britain.
The approaching presence in London
Of the son Of the Japanese minister
has caused a stir in shipping circles,
as it is reported the object of his visit
via Canada and the United States is
to place large contracts for the con-
struction of several Japanese ironclads
and cruisers, as well as for a consider
able supply of arms and ammunition
It is believed that there may be some
truth in the first portion of the report,
but there are people who claim that
there can be no truth in bhe second
part of it, as Japan is understood to
have supplied her army with one of
the best rifles in the world, the inven-
ton of Japanese, and her ammunition
factories are believed to be the very
best.
Ex-Speal6er Crisp has spent most of
the last week in Scotland. Speaking
to a reporter of the Associated Press
of the great amount attention Mr.. w.
c. Whitney is attracting as a possible
candidate for the nomination for the
presidency, Mr.. Crisp said: 'SMr. Whit
ney seems to have succeeded the late
James G. Blaine as the magnetic
man in American politics. I have sew
eral times been asked questions by
Englishmen concerning Mr.. Whitney's
personality and chances IF obtaining
the nomination. He seems to have
made the great impression as he has
long been at home.
Some of the officers of the British
Bimetallic League who met Mr., Whit
ney last spring were greatly Impress
ed with him. Secretary MCNEIL. of the
Bimetallic League, regards Mr.. Whit
ney as one OF the most charming and
clear headed men he has met