New-York tribune., 1886-02-13
GEHMINY MnTLNG-

The German Rcichstag Las decided to order
a serious vestigItIun regarding adherence To
the monetary policy of the Government. The
vDte on this question stood l45 in favor of the
motion to ll9 against. This is "A remarkable
decision in view of the power ul arguments
made against the motion by Bismarck and his
able coAd tutors. 1t was reasoned that Germany
could not safely take IL new position until the
United States and England we're ready to
move; that the United States might ut any time
stop silver coinage. and thus make it fatal 20
Germany to act without English CONCERT that
England would be far more likely TO change if
Germany held her present attitude, throwing
on England the burden of adjusting its trade
with India; that Germany had established the
gold standard one nf the grandest fruits of
victory over France and had thus escaped from
the dependence on silver TO which France was
still subjected, and it would be in the last de-
gee hum liatinG now for Germany TO confess
that after all rance was right and Germany
wrong. These arguments, in public or in
private, have been used with great effect. But
the overwhelming prcpOnderance of opinion in
agricultural districts is against the exclusion of
silver, and the memoria ials of hundreds of agr-
cultural associations, praying the Government
to change its policy, could hardly be disre-
garded by representatives of the people.
1t is vital to see that this investigation makes
it more important than ever for the United
States to stop coinage on It's present ratio. 1t
would be utterly impossible for Germany to
resume coinage at a different ratio from that
of France and yet France and Germany to-
gcther could not maintain silver coinage if the
United States should persist i'll Its pres
different ratio. Nor could Germany safely
change without modification OF England's posi-
tiOn. England certainly would not change if
tie United States could be forced to n silver
basis. The suspension of coinage here on the
other hand, would enormously strengthen those
in Germany who insist that there must be a
change of policy. 1t would bring to bear upon
Great Britain the strongest possible motive for
asserting to any proposal that Germany may
make, and would take away the strongest in.
ducement for adhering to the present British
policy, namely the hope that the United
States might be forced to drive out Of use and
out of the country its large supply of gold.
The United States has attended two interna-
tional congresses in Europe with considerable
humiliation. At both all practical action was
defeated by the absolute refusal of England
and Germany to modify their position. 1t WAS
perfectly apparent at both that England and
Germany were counting on coinage by the
United States to shelter them from the evil con-
sequences of their position, and to secure them
great advantages when gold should be demOne-
tIzed here. Ii they could force this country to
a silver basis, and get away our gold, it would
be great gain. This county now has oppor-
uinity To cDmpel another conference under very
different circumstances. If the United States
will stop coinage, just when Germany is on the
anxious seat, and when England is vainly