The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-23
DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
GIVEN OUT BY GREAT
BRITAIN.
A RATIO FIXED BY FRANCE.
DEFENDED ON HoNDoN's
ATTITUDE,
NOT READY TO oPESt HER MINTs.
In Any Event, Salisbury Could Not
Promise Such ahstep ON Eng
lands Behalf.

LONDON, Oct. 22.7zThe correspond
ence in regard to the bimetallic propo-
sails of the United States monetary
commission was issued by the British
foreign office this evening. The fol-
lowing account of the negotiations is
taken from the official publication:
AT the conference held at the foreign
office on July 12, the premier, the Mar
quis of Salisbury; the secretary of
state for India, Lord George Hamilton;
the chancellor of the exchequer, Sir Mi
chael Hicks-Beach; the first lord of the
treasury, A. J. Balfour; the United
States ambassador, Col. John Hay, and
the United States monetary commits
sioners, Senator Edward o. Wolcott, of
Colorado: ex-Vice President Adlai E.
Stevenson, of Illinois, and Gen Charles
Jackson Paine, of Massachusetts, were
present. On the invitation of the British
premier, Senator Wolcott explained
that the object of the mission was
to ascertain, in advance of an interna-
tional conference, the views of the Eu-
ropean governments, and the ENJOYS
had determined to ascertain the views
of the French, British and German
governments on the question of reach
ing an international bimetallic agree
ment. They had been to France, where
they reached a complete and satisfac-
tory understanding with the French
government and the ENJOYS were to
have the cooperation in this matter of
the French ambassador in London. The
senator then explained that the sue
cess of the mission depended upon the
attitude Great Britain would take, and
he requested Great Britain to agree to
open the English mints, as it's contri-
button to the attempt to restore inter
national bimetallsm, with France and
the United States operating together
in an attempt to that end.
FRANCE READY.
The Marquis of Salisbury asked if
France was ready to open her mints
to free coinage, and Senator Wolcott
replied, Yes
The premier thereupon inquired at
what ratio France would open her
mints. Senator Wolcott said at 151s.
adding that the American eenvoys had
accepted this ratio.
The senator then presented the fol-
lowing list of contributions which,
among others, he suggested Great Bri-
tain might make:
First-The opening CT the Indian mints and
the repeal of the order making the sovereign
legal tender in India
second-Placing one-fifth of the bullion in
the issue department of the Bank of England
in silver
Third-Raising the legal tender limit of
silver to, say f1O and issuing 20-shilling notes,
based on silver which shall be legal tender
and the retirement in graduation or other
wise, of the 10-shilling ga!d pieces and the
substitution of paper based silver.
Fourth-An agreement to coin annually so
much silver the amount to be left open.
Fifth-The opening Of the English mints to
the coinage of rupees and the coinage Of Brit
ish dollars, which shall be full tender in the
Straits settlements and other silver standard
countries, and tender in the United Kingdom
to the limit of silver legal tender
Sixth-Colonial acton and the coinage of
silver in Egypt.
Notwithstanding having the general
scope Of the Huskisson plan.
The meeting then closed, and it was