The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-06
Efforts of the Brussels Conference
Unlikely TO Be Of Benefit
to Silver.
The Leading Delegate From Eng
land Unalterably Opposed to
the White Metal.
FremantIe's Action Prompted by the Cab.
inet-The Order of Discussing Pro-
posals to he Determined.

BRussEIs, Dec. 5.-When the interna-
tional monetary conference resumes sittings
Tomorrow the frst matter requiring set
Element will be whether the report of tho
committee appointed to consider the Roths-
child plan will be further debated, or tho
proposals of the American delegates pro-
ceeded with. Rothschld, Sir q. Free
mantle, and Sir Wro. Holdsworth, British
delegates desire some expression of opin-
ion regarding the Rothschild plan from the
full conference. Bertran, Currie, another
British delegate aims to bring the confer
ence to speedy close, and. in common
with some other delegates who are resigned
to see the conference result in failure,
would accelerate consideration of the
American resolutions, as hastening the
winding up Of the meeting. Freemantle,
with a view to the resumption of debate on
the Rothsohild plan. has amended his
deciaration, declining to pledge the
English governments to withdraw its half
sovereign pieces in favor of silver. by add
ing the words. Except concurrently with
the adoption Of the Rothschild project. or
some other proposal having the same COM
pensatory value" Fremnntle, who is dep
uty master Of the British mint. was never
been known to take independent action or
personal initiative. 1t is therefore taken
for granted that he is the mouthpiece of
the British government in announcing his
assent to the abolition of half -sovereigns.
IF. despite the adverse report Of the con,-
mittee, the full conference adopts the
Rothschild plan number of delegates will
want the conference to close or adjourn
Dec. 16 at the latest. II adjournment 10
taken it is doubtful if there would be full
attendance when sittings should be resumed
| in January. Currie has sent to the Times
verbatim report of the speech he
This report is similar to heretofore
published accounts Of the speech only IN
| its advocacy OF a gold standard. Currle
denies that evils are impending to the
world fiom the disuse Of n silver alta ndard.
| The costly silver experiments OF the United
| States, he says are never likely to find i'm
itators. The conference met to endeavor
80 raise the price of commodities. an OBJ
| iect entirely opposed to economic doctrines
accepted in Great Britain. Cheap goods,
not dear goods; plenty, not scai city, have
always been held to be conditions profitable
to trade Ihnt a general fall in prices has
been brought about by the scarcity OF gold
has never been proved. Such theories are
at variance with facts within our know
ledge. Currie is the strongest personality
among the British delegates and Will not
bulge an inch towards compromise.
The possibility of the repeal of the Sher-
man act was much discussed among men,
bers of the conference to-day. The opinion
WAS that it would be a serious blow unless
| accompanied by some othcr special legisla-
| tion Ill support of silver.
The Independence Beige says the COM
mittee will to-day examine into the pro-
posal of G. +. Teitjer, the Danish delegate.
The proposal provides that an International
unlon be TO med to fix the relative value Of
gold and silver on the basis of the average
price of silver in London during the for
nation of the union. Members of the
union will be permitted to coin an unlim-
tied amount OF silver coin to
! the value of one dollar, which
will have unlimited debt paving
power in the county where they are coined.
Tue scheme provides for the appointment
of committee to watch the silver market
Ii tho value of that metal falls five per CEN
below the value Fixed the committee will
have power to decide whether fresh issue
of silver coin is necessary. Every bank o!
issue will hive tho right to have portion
of its metallic reserve III the silver coin oi
the union, and on six months notice can
demand that silver coins held in the banks
eusury be repaid in gold by the country
whence the coins came.