Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-20
Great Britain Laboring Under a Mis-
apprehension.
CANNOT Use THEM as 4 LEVER
Wrong Idea Regarding the Admin
istration and Free Coinage.
BASED ON MISCONCEPTlON

The action of the Canadian representa-
tives at the Bering sea conference in declin-
ing the propositions of this government and
referring the whole matter to- the future
when 1t may be considered by a commits
si6n empowered to treat on the general
question of reciprocity and all our border
relations with Canada, is believed to have
teen based on miscorception of the pol
icy of the present administration. The
amount of talk that has been INDUCED in
on the subject of an international coinage
agreement has given Great Britain the I'M
preston that this government is ready to
make most any sacrifice TO secure a stand
ing among the nations of the earth for the
Tree coinage OF silver at 16 to l. They be-
heve that in any sort Of negotiation with
the United States government that question
would be potential factor. In their opin-
Ion the two things which the United States
Is most interested in are the preservation
OF the seals and the re-establishment of
the free coirage of silver.
England's Misconception.
1t was thought by the Canadian premier
and by Lord Salisbury that this govern
ment attached so much importance to the
preservation Of the seal that we would be
willing to modify our laws with reference
to the employment of foreign labor-involv-
1liS Tue IeSiucuCc IN CdndOd OF ldDOrerS
working in the United States-and would
make commercial concessions to Canada in
consideration of cessation of the Slaugh-
ter by Canadian sealers. The Canadian rep
Tesentatives in the recent conference dis
covered that this was not the case: that
We regarded the preservation of the seals
as of mutual benefit and the right to de-
Eland protective laws from Great Britain
as inherent in this government. Thereupon
1t was decided by the Canadians that this
question of seals could not be considered
separately from the general relations be-
tween Canada and the United States. and
that the question of reciprocity and the
general relation Of the two countries should
be negotiated upon at the same time.
Concessions Regarding Silver.
The opinion is expressed by some of the
best Informed observers that the play con-
templated by Great Britain when a COM
mission shall have been appointed will be
based upon the British belief that this
government Is anxious above all things to
secure from Great Britain some considera-
ton for silver and that that question may
be brought into the negotiation indirectly.
1t Is ia own that England will not agree
to any contract or treaty involving the
empire of Great Britain in the restora-
tion of silver coinage, but there are indca-
tions that some proposition of "coaces-
sions" tG silver may he held out as temp
tation to the United States as an induce
nent to be generous with Canada in
reciprocity agreement. The suggestion
made by Mr.. Chandler and others of an
agreement between the governments in
this hemisphere for the coinage of silver
Is understood to have been inspired by Sen
ator Wolcott. and is supposed to have been
suggested to him by hints thrown out by
the British authorities. If this under
standing of the situation Is correct, Great
Britain may hold out the hope that lin
tied use of silver in Canada and in India
might be extended as a concession pro-
hnv
generosity in dealing with Canada in
commercial treaty. This idea is sustained
by the strong pro-silver article recently
published in the National Review, an Eng
lish publication. which takes ground against
the decision of Lord Salisbury not to par
ticipate in an international conference.
The Administration and Free Coinage
If this view Of the situation is accurate
Great Britain has an utter misapprehension
of the attitude of the United States with
respect to the coinage Of silver. 1t is well
known by those conversant with the SUBJ
ject that the administratio is not impa-
tient with eagerness for international
agreement. With doubt and apprehension
the administration is willing in considera-
ton OF the demand of a certain class of
American citizens. to enter upon the free
coinage of silver If the leading CONNER
cial nations of the world will Join in sus-
tanning the burden; but the administration
government, and is not so much interested
In IL as to make any commercial conces-
sions TO any government in order to secure
IT, Ihe understanding is that the admins
tration would not be willing to undertake
10 MAINTAIN the parity of silver with gold
Under free coinage without a general in
ternational agreement. and that a limited
responsibility assumed by foreign govern
ments would not be regarded as warrant
ing the United States in making a ven
ture OF opening its mints to free coinage
III, therefore, the Canadians are calcuIat-
ing upon the anxiety of this government
1or the seal and the great desire to resume
the tree coinage of silver the basis for
d claim TO extrayagant concessions i'm fa-
Nor OF canada in a commercial treaty thew
VIII be seriously disappointed and it is
Deheved, considering the spirit in which
'he canadians view the question that the
appointment OF a commission to negotiate
treaty Is liable to result in failure unless
meanwhile the British government comes
10 better understanding Of the attitude OF
the United States