The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-17
INDIAN MINTS QUESTION.
British Cabinet Discusses the Matter,
but Makes No Decision.


London, Oct 16.-The British cabinet
this morning held its first autumn meet
ing at the foreign office. The premier,
Lord Salisbury. presided. 1t lasted two
hours. II is understood that the question
of reopening the Indian mints for the
coinage of silver was not decided, but,
II Is added, the matter was discussed, and
will shortly form the subject of further
communications between the chancellor of
the exchequer, Sir Michael Hlcks-Beach,
and the United States monetary commits
sion.
In addition to discussing the silver
question, 1t is understood that the cabinet
ministers were in deliberatlon upon the
Anglo-French situation in West Africa,
and in reviewing the Cretan arrange
ments. In spite of the statement that
the question of the reopening Of the In
dian mints for the coinage OF silver will
form the subject of further communlca
ton between the chancellor of the ex-
chequer and the United States monetary
commission, it is believed that the Brit
ish government has reached the decision
not to enter into an international mone-
tary conference
NO more definite information can be OBJ
tained with regard to the action of the
cabinet, and there is every reason TO be-
lieve that the governments position is
as before state-that It will not enter into
an international monetary conference
Messages received from the members of
the American commission say they have
received no information with regard to
the action taken at the cabinet council
to-day, but they hear that a statement
will be Issued next week TO the effect that
the government viii make no suggestion
to the Bank Of England as to any altera-
ton of Its present reserve. The govern
ment cannot, In any event do more than
TO make a recommendation 10 the bank
as the statement that the cabinet had de-
cided that the bank should maintain a full
gold standard is Incorrect
The press association sends out the fol-
lowing semi-official statement tonight:
THE chancellor of the exdhequer and his
colleagues stu maintain the position then
taken, that the government cannot alter
the gold standard In the United Kingdom.
But they have in the interval consulted
the Indian government with regard to the
opening of the Indian mints, and a reply
has been received, which, 1t Is understood,
Is strongly adverse to the proposal Owing
to the difficulties raised In India and the
opposition I'm other quarters, the cabinet
feel that they are unable to give an imme-
diate undertaking to reopen the Indian
mints, but they apparently are not indls-
posed to enter into further negotiations,
and 1t Is expected that as the outcome
of to-day's cabinet council. the United
States commissioners will shortly have an
other interview with Sir Michael Hicks
Beach and that diplomatic communica-
tions upon the question will be continued
with the foreign powers more Immediately
concerned In the rehabilitation of silver"
In spite of the above, however, 1t Is
generally believed that the government
has fully decided to say no to the propos-
ais presented by Mr., Wocott.
Mr.. Stevenson left London yesterday for
Rome.