The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-10-23
For Bimetsllism Than Can EnqIand
FsEafRzagr sss-sSss ..,.sse..'.,. ..
With Her Troubles.
GREAT BRITAIN'S FULL REPLY
Nili BE Soou rubIishsd-Lsy Left Open
FOR Further NegoiiatiOns-Enyoys
Mill 60 TO fans.

New York, October "A dispatch to
the Tribune from LondCa says:
The reply Of the British government to
che monetary proposals Of the United
States and France has been prepared by
the chancellor Of the exchsquer and VIII
probably be published in the London
press before the .nd Of the week It may
b. summarized as a courteous refusal
to entertain the propositions submitted
by the two governments and an equally
polite invitation to continue the nego,ia-
tons The refusal ts unequiyocai in al
points and the invitation to go on with
the monetary diplomacy is a transparent
compromise to save the feelings OF the
s;ron- minority OF the blmetaIists in
the cabinet.
The ministry. acting upon the invi-
tatlon OF the financial experts Of the
Indian government, declines 10 reopen
the mints to silver. This was the chief
concession which was asked by the two
governments and it has been refused.
under various peas OF exped ency and
necessity based upon the existing condl-
ti,na ~ Indian o,.pca
The chancellor Of the exchequer also
discusses the other concessions which
were considered in the various confer
ences with the American and French
ambassadors and the three envoys ana
virtually refuses to act fayoraHy upon
any OF the proposals. At the same time
he expresses the Willingness OF the gov
ernment to prolong conferences and con-
slider any proposals which may be pre-
sented. He suggests no alternative plan
OF his own. but leaves the two govern
menrs free to act upo their OWE respon-
sihlity. II they choose to open their own
mlnts to silver or take any other meas
ures in the interest cf bimetal. ism.
Those behind the scenes say the minis
ters expected very different reports from
the Indian experts from what they have :
received. They were prepared last sum-
mer to order the resumption Of silver
coinage II the Franco-American pro- /
gramme was adopted and they conf /
dendy believed that the experts Of the
Indian government would Sa united on
the expediency OF this course. When the |
reply came from the experts, Mr.. Bal.oIr, |
Mr., Chaplin and other convinced bimet- |
allists In the cabine; were disconnected !
and even monometallists like Sir Michael |
Hicks Beach and Mr. Goschen, were
greatly surprised. The necessity Of act
ing upon the advice was apparent to
neutrals like Mr.. Chamberlain and the
Duke of Devonshire, who had an open
mind on rhis question. and Sir Michael
Hicks Beach was instructed TO prepare
a categorical reply to the prospects which
had been submitted, declining to accept
them, but leaving the door wide open
for oontinuace of the negotiations
This last bit Of politeness was meant to
,onciliate the disappointed bimeainsts
n the cabinet
A conference has been arranged which
MI be attended by phe three ENJOYS
and Representatives Of the two embassies.
A reply having been received, the only
question remaining for consideration is
he proper course to be followed by the
American envoys, They win naturally so
% Paris and discuss the matter with
the Milne government The question
will then arise whether the two govern
nents can undertake TO so on with their
monetary program without the reopening
If the Indian mints and the moral sup
,ort Of the British government
The French ministry may not care to
,ersevere in bimetalnc policy under
hose conditions and the Mckinley ad-
may consider it prudent TO
break of negotiations temporarily. Ger
.ainly the United States with the pros
Dect Of heavy gold imports, an increas-
ng income and revival of prosperity,
s in the better position for awaiting
he events the near future than Eng