The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-10-21
UNITED STATES MONETARY cow
MISSIONERS EXPECTED ENG
LANDS ANSWER.
A REPLY FAVORABLE 70 SILVER
IL Highly Probnble-India Objects
TO Opening Her MINIS to silver.
First Autumn Cabinet Meeting
Held Yesterday.


this morning held its first autumn meet
ing at the foreign office. The premier.
Lord Salisbury, presided, and all the
| ministers, with the exception of Lord
James, the chancellor of the duchy of
Lancaster; Niscount Cross, lord priyy
seal, and Mr.. Walter Long, the president
of the board Of agriculture, were in at
tendance. The meeting lasted two
| hours.
1t is understood that the question of
reopening the Indian minis for the coin
age of silver was not discussed, but it
is added the matter will shortly form
| the subject of further communications
between the chancellor of the exchequer.
| Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, and thu
| United States monetary commission.
In addition to discussing the silver
! question it is understood that the cabi-
! net ministers We're in deliberation upon
| the Anglo-French situation in west Afri
| ca, and in reviewing the Cretan arrange
ments.
In spite of the statement that the ques-
ton of reopening the Indian minis for
the coinage of silver will be the subject
of further communication between the
chancellor of the exchequer and the
United States monetary commission, fur
ther meetings with the American com
missioners will be held simply because
they were previously arranged, as cabled
last week.
In regard to India it may be regarded
as certain that the minis will not be re-
opened at present or until the Indian
authorities are fully prepared and
though the decision rests with Downing
street, it is certain that the views of
Simla will prevail, and it is known the
Indian authorities oppose the step.
II is understood that IL statement will
be- issued next week to the effect that
the board does not intend to suggest that
the Bank of England should hold its re-
serve partly in silver.
Up to late hour this evening the
United States monetary commissioners
had not received any communication
from the British government regarding
the answer expected by Senator WilcOtt
and his colleagues to the proposals made.
No more definite information can be-
obtained regarding the action of the cab
iLet, but there is every reason to believe
that the governments position is, as be-
fore stated. 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 coun-
eli today. but they hear that a state
ment will be issued next week to the eff
feet that the government will make no
suggestion to the Bank of England as TO
any alteration of its present reserve. The
government, in any event, can do no more
than make recommendation to the
bank that the statement that the cabinet
decided that the bank should maintain
a full gold standard is incorrect. The
Press association sends out the following
sem-Oiiicial statement tonight:
"rhe cabinet considered the subject
in pursuance of the pledge given in their
name by Mr. A. ]. Balfour. first lord
Of the treasury, and Sir Michael Hicks
the house of commons when the resOlu-
ton favoring cooperation in securing a
stable money par exchange between gold
am silver was passed.
The chancellor of the eXcheGuer and
his colleagues maintain position then
taken that the government can not alter
the gold standard in the United King
dom. But they have in the interval con-
suited the Indian government with re-
gard to the opening of the Indian minis
and a reply has been received which. it
is understood, il strongly adverse to the
proposal. Owing to the difficulties
raised in India and the opposition in
other quarters the cabinet feel that they
are unable to give an immediate under
taking to reopen the Indian minis. but
they apparently are not indisposed to en-
vi lhio uIlueI lltSOlldllOHS. anu II IL
expected that IA the outcome of today's
cabinet council the United States COM
missioners will shortly have another in
terview with Sir Michael Hicks Beach
and representatives of foreign POWERS
more Immediately concerned in the re-
hahilitation of silver
In spite of the above. however. it is
generally believed that the government
has fully decided to say no to the pro-
poSalS presented by Mr.. Wolcott.
Mr.. Stevenson left London Yesterday
for Rome.