The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-11
BLOW TO BIMETALLISM.
VI. TIRARD STRONGLY OPPOSES 1T
IN THE CONFERENCE.
He Sustains the Views OF the italian Dele
gates-Banquet by the American
Delegates on Monday.

BRUSSELS, Dec. lO.-At the last meet
ing of the International Monetary Con-
ference Delegate Frey. OF Switzerland.
stated that the Swiss confederation would
not accept any settlement of tie silver
question that did not provide for a re-
coinage of French ten-franc pieces and
the withdrawal OF Italian FIVE and ten
franc notes.
At the meeting to-day the italian dele
gates said that Italy did not object to
the principle, but that the withdrawal
of her 1896, 900, 900 worth of FIVE and ten
franc notes would absolutely not affect
the currency question. because she woulc
have to recall TO Italy Italian silver coins
circulating in other countries of the
Latin Union; otherwise Italy would be
able to meet international needs.
NJ Tirard the French delegate and ex-
minister of finance, expressed his In
dorsement Of the opinion of the Italian
delegates. He said that the withdrawal
Of the French ten franc gold pieces
would not conduce to the more extended
use of silver. France would have TO SUBJ
stitute for the coins thus withdrawn and
an immense amount Of silver already held
in reserve in the Bank of France. France,
NJ. Tirard said. was quite satisfied with
the present system as insuring an abun-
dance Of money. II was impossible that
the Latin Union could think of metal
lism, while Germany and England and
Austria refused to open their mints for
free coinage. Therefore, N. Tirard added,
the conference must abandon any hope
Of reaching any radical solution OF the
problem and apply itself to securing some
moderate measure of relief. He would
himself earnestly cooperate in carrying
such a measure to success.
The address Of NJ Tirard made pro-
found impression, and quenched any re-
manning hope of radical action In favor Of
bimetallism The American delegates
will give a second banquet to their coll
leagues at the Hotel Bellevue on Mon
day.
The special committee OF the Interna-
tional Monetary Conference met again to-
day, and considered the proposition OF
Sir William Houldsworth, for a bimetal-
lie union silver TO be received by national
mnts at a rate per ounce to be agreed
upon, and receipts to be given for the
silver which would circulate as money.
The committee also considered the plans
of the Danish delegate, Tietgen, and the
Belgian delegate, Allardt and final re-
port was prepared, TO be submitted on
Tuesday. The bimetallists hope the con-
ference will not adjourn without recon-
mending that the governments interested
adopt a modus vivendi TO avert financial
catastrophe.
NJ. Bolssevain, the Dutch bmetallist,
and Senior Toca, of the Spanish desga-
tion, repudlated in the international Mon
etary Conference to-day the views ex-
pressed by NJ. Tirard, and the arguments
with which he supported those views
Delegate Fosell, Of Denmark, challenged
the American delegates to pronounce
definite opinion on the issue before the
Conference and formulate plan.
Senator Allison, in behalf of the Ameri-
can delegation. replied that the United
States was ready to accept any fair
scheme supported by certain number Of
nations.
American Delegate Cannon declared
that, even If the Conference should ar
rive at no immediate practical result, the
world would have had the great advan-
tage of eliciting important declarations
defining the position of the respective ma
tions represented. 1t was we'll worth the
trouble incurred TO have obtained the i'm
portant knowledge of the position of
France. as shown by the declaration of
M. Tirard, to the effect that France and
the Latin Union, from whom the United
States had expected more than from any
other quarter, on account of those coun-
tries being such large holders OF silver,
would not assist the United States In
solving the problem, whereas on the other
hand. assistance had come from an un-
expected quarter, namely certain MEM
oers of the English delegation.
Mr.. Cannon added that he bellved that
even now there was no need Of despairing
If some satisfactory result.
The Conference adjourned till Thursday
IL is believed that Mr.. Cannon threw
he responsibility for the ultimate failure
IF the Conference on France and the
latin Union, in the hope OF compelling
hose countries to show some disposition
oward concilation.