The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-01
Entered at the postoffice at Raleigh
n. c., as second-class matter.
CAN IT Be TRUE?

CAN IT Be TRUE?
Mr. VIM. E. Curtis, the able and YER
satile Washington correspondent OF the
Chicago Record, is spending the summer
in England and writing some very inter-
esting and instructive letters to the Rec
ord. one of which from Oxford we pub
lish in to-day's paper. In later letter,
he writes:
"Senator Wolcott. ex-Vice-President
Stevenson and Mr.. Paine of Boston, the
bi-metall;c commissioners, are going to
be successful, and the British government
will make concessions on the silver ques-
ton that will surprise the world. The
premature publication of its intentions
in this regard may possibly interfere with
the result because the financial interests
of this country are decidedly opposed to
any change in its fiscal system, and to
any action of concessions that will tend
to disturb existing conditions, which are
as favorable as the most selfish money
maker could desire. Nobody in the bank
ing district believes that any concessions
will be made, and very little notice is
taken of the bi-metallic mission except
to ridicule it.
"Our commissioners are spoken of as
very agreeable gentlemen, carrying about
with them delusion which they are ex-
pected to take safely home again. They
have received many pleasant attentions,
and are looked upon as harmless and use
less emissaries, and therefore there will
be a great surprise and a remonstrance
when it is announced that the British gov
eminent has decided to make a very de-
cided concession to the silver sentiment
In France and other parts of the CONT
nent, in the British colonies and in the
United States.
Il am authorized by the very highest
authority to say that the French Ambas-
sador and the United States Ambassa-
dor, who are working together, have been
informally assured that Great Britain
will join their governments in a none
tary conference, which is likely to be held
in Paris during the coming fall or winter,
for the purpose of reaching an interna-
tional agreement to maintain a perma-
nent parity between gold and silver; and
the delegates from Great Britain will 60
there with positive instructions to pledge
their government to more liberal policy,
which will include the re-opening Of the
minis Of India for the coinage Of silver,
to the investment Of Is per cent. or some
thing like that amount Of the reserve
of the Bank Of England in silver coin,
and to the issue of a new form Of paper
money similar to the silver certificates
Of the United States, which shall be re
deemed in silver, as the notes Of the Banl
Of England are now redeemed in gold.
1.-THE Marquis Of Salisbury positively
declines to consider any proposition look
ing to other changes in the present mon
etary system Of England. This country
will insist upon maintaining a single
gold standard as at present, and will de
cline to increase the legal tender quality
OF silver, which is now limited to FL; but
that was expected.
"It is difficult to explain the motive
Of the ministry for reversing their policy
at this time in violation Of the public
sentiment Of the country at large. There
are q good many conjectures, however
The most plausible is that Lord Salisbury
believes that unless something is accom-
plished by the present administration in
the United States radical measures are
likely to be taken by our people in the
direction of free coinage. 1t is well
known that he does not consider that the
repeal Of our silver law had anything to
do with the financial depression in Amer
lea. He attributes it to entirely different
causes, and on. the same theory believes
that it will correct itself in due time with
o,,t recsrd to silver ~ctsass-. 40. :.
red;cai step that may be taken py ou
Government would have more OF less e
Toc+ ,,non the commerce and financial col
d;t;on Of Great Britain, and he believe
that Il would imperil the value OF BIRTHS
Investments in the United States. Their
fore. he and his associates have decide
70 make this concession, with the expe'
tatjon that it will allay agitation and 6
40 far to satisfy public sentiment on til
other side of the Atlantic that the MOI
radical measures will be indefinitely pos
poned.
'The knowledge of the intentions {
the British ministry in this respect is, {
course, very gratifying to Senator Woo
colt, Mr.. Stevenson and Mr.. Paine. The
have received no official communication
and not even an unofficial intimation
any sort directly on the subject, but the
are expecting something every day.
has not been decided what form the de
laration Of Great Britain will take. Th'
is now under discussion"
Ordinarily we would dismiss this repo
as mere newspaper gossip, but the stan
ing Of Mr.. Curtis, and his facilities f
obtaining exclusive news, at least Civ
his statement enough weight for us
await with interest the report Of the col
mission. One thing is sure: The Englis
men who meet ex-Vice-President Steve
SON will hear more good stories than tn
can forget in lifetime. His good stori
may even convert Johnny Bull to bi-m
allism, though it has long been our cow
ton that our English cousin, Ii
Ephraim OF old, is joined to his idols a
will never leave off worshipping the go
en- calf.