The times., 1897-08-08
AMERICA MUST ACT ALONE
Cannot Rely on Great Britain for
Free Silver Coinage.
THAT ROWING COMMISSION
The Setback 1t Received From the
British Chancellor of the Ex-
Statesmen in This City-EH rope
Not Ready or Willing TO Act.

The silver statesmen still in this city
are not surprised at the setback given our
expensive commission now enjoying its
excursion trip through Europe under the
seal and sanction OF a joint resolution OF
Congress. The true friends Of silver and
of bimetallsn pointed out at the time
this commission scheme was pro Jected that
it W ould come to naughG that England
would dissemble to the last, and finally
refuse to participate in the arrangements.
SO many Of these commissions have been
appointed, and so many of them have failed
to accomplish positive results that the out
come OF this one was readily perceived.
The reply given the Commissioners yes
tarday by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, chan
cellor Of the exchequer, shows that Great
Britain is once more playing her old game
and is but another argument when no
argument is required, as a Senator said
yesterday. proving that the only practicable
thing to do is for this country 90 under
take the free coinage OF silver alone. If
this were done the other leading nations
OF the earth would be forced to it. 1t is
tile absolute knowledge OF this indisnIfable
fact that controls Great Britain in refus-
ing to give any encouragement TO the
American Commission.
Some weeks ago the cable told US that
Senator wolcott had a most satisfactory
interview with English officials, and that
the statements then made warranted Mr..
Wolcott and his associates in believing that
d genuine wave of financial reform was
sweeping over the British people. After
this interview the comrsission set off on one
Of its side excursions to interview the repre-
sentatives OF some of the minor powers
They have now returned TO London. and
chafing under the delay of Sir Michael,
20 get some further information as TO the
intentions OF that official
Rot being able to postpone longer some
sort of a reply, Sir Michael, as stated in
The Times cable yesterday morning, has
Informed Senator Wolcott that the subject
is weighty one, that he will have to COM
municate with the India government as
TO tie ACCESSIBILITY and desirability OF
opening her mints, and that, in view OF all
these things. he cannot give positive
answer before October This is the
P-ocrasinating policy that was expected,
hope that British promises mean something,
has settled down in London to await the
result OF wEat may be a tedious and pro-
lOnged correspondence between the chan
cellor Of the British exchequer and the
Indian government Every student Of Great
Britain's fiscal policy not hypnotized by
the immaculate presence OF the social side of
her officials knows just what the result
viii bein October.
Tie Indian government, taking its cue
from the home office, WITH report against
the further use OF silver; the British gov
eminent win indorse this conclusion, but,
as simple act of courtesy to the United
States, viii agree to participate in any
convention that may be called, with the
reservation that her delegates cannot bind
the government. Thus viii be repeated
the useless farces enacted at Paris and