The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-17
BRITAIN WILL SAY mo. :
Government Won't Take Part 10 Me-
klnIey's Bimctalllc Play.
RESULT OF CABINET DISCUSSION.
The Answer 10 wolcott VIII Not BE
straightforward. but II Will
Have the same Eject.

London, October 1.-THE British cabi-
net this morning held Its first autumn
meeting at the foreign office. The pre-
micr. Lord Salisbury. presided, and all the
ministers, with tho exception OF Lord
james, the chancellor OF the Duchy OF
Lancaster; viscount Gross, lord prlvy
SEAL and Mr.. Walter Long, tho president
Of tho board OF agriculture, were In at
tendance. The meeting lasted two hours.
II Is understood that the question OF re-
opening the Indian miuts for coinage OF
silver was not discussed, but II Is added
that the matter Will shortly form the SUBJ
jeot OF further communication between
the chancellor OF the excheQuer. Sir Mich
ael Hicks Beach, and the United States
monetary commission
In addition to discussing the silver
question, 1t Is Understood tho cabinet min
listers were in deliberation upon the Anglo
French situation In West Africa and In re-
wishing the Cretan arrangements.
In spite OF the statement that the ques-
ton of tho re-openlng OF tho Indian mlnts
for the coinage OF silver will be the subject
OF further communication between the
chancellor OF the exchequcr and the United
States monetary commission. further meet
ings OF the American commissioners Will
vio,sly arranged. as cablcd last week.
In regard to India It may be regarded ms
certain that the minis are fully prepared
ana though the decision rests with Down
ing street, 1t IL certain that the views OF
Slmla will prevail, and II Is known the In
dian authorities oppose the step.
II lis understood that n statement will
be issued next week to the effect that the
board does not intend to suggest that the
nu nh ~ M chnpl1 hold Ito
partly In silver.
Up to n late hour this evening the United
States monetary commissioners had not re-
celved any communication from the Brit
ish government regarding the answer ex-
peotcd by Senator WOlcott and his col
leagues to the proposal made.
No more definite information can be
Obtained regarding the action OF the cabi-
net. but there Ii every reason to believe
that the governments position, MS before
stnned, MEANS that II 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 at the cabinet council today. but
they hear that statement VIII be Issued
next week to the effect that the govern
mont Will make no suggestions TO the
Bank OF England as to any alterations Of
its present reserve. The government. In
any event. can do no more than make
recommendation to the bank that the
that the cabinet decided that
tho bank should maintain full gold
standard is incorrect.
The press associations send out the fol-
lowing seml-official statement tonight
Tho cabinet considered the subject In
pursuance OF tho pledge given in their
name by Mr.. A. J Ba!four, first lord OF
the treasury. and Sir Michael Hicks Beach.
chancellor OF the Exohequer In the house.
OF commons. when the resolution favoring
cooperation In securing a stable money
PAR exchange between gold and silver was
passed Ths chancellor OF the exchequer
and his colleagues maintain the position
then faken that tho government can not
alter the gold standard In the United
Kingdom. Hut they have In tho interval
consulted the indian government with re-
gard TO the opening Of the Indian mnts
ana aI reply has been received. which il
Ia understood. Ia strongly adverse to the
proposal Owing to the difficulties raised
IN India and the opposition IN other quar-
tors the cabinet members feel that they
are unable 10 give an Immediate under
taking to ro-open tho Indian mlnts, but
lhey apparently are not iniisposed to en-
ter into further negotiations and n Is ex-
peetcd that IA the outcome OF tctay's cabl-
net council the United States commission
eT VIII shortly have another interview
with Sir Michael Hicks Beach and with
no foreign powers more immediately con-
rerned in the rehabilitation OF silver
In spite Of the Shove however, 1t is gen.
orally believed that tho government has
luiiy decided to say no 10 the proposals |
presented by Mr.. Wolcott.
Mr. Stephenson left London yestarday
Tor Rome