Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-09
NO HOPE FOR SILVER
Germany Will Not Take the Initiative in
Calling Conference.
CHANCELLOR MAKES THE ANNOUNCEMENT
Investigation Showed it Would Be Barren
of Results if Called.
COURT FETES INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
Deaths of Royal Personages Marred a
Brilliant Social Prospect,
,oURT FETES INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
SEVERAL LARGE STRIKES IMPENDING
Revision of the Extradition Treaty
with the United states IL Mt IL
Stnndstill-YOung American Girl
Scores u Musical Success.

Copyright, 1896. by the Associated Press)
BERLIN, Feb. S.--The pressure brought
to bear by the German bimetalists has re-
suited in squeezing from the ministers a
statement on the subject. The imperial chan
cellor. Prince Hohenohe, in the Reichstag
today made the following declaration of pol
icy in this connection: I'VE have gone ex-
haustively into the question of raising and
strengthening the value of silver with the
federal governments, being guided by the
conviction that the fluctuation and heavy fall
in the price Of silver entaled economic pref
udice in Germany in spite of the fact that
her monetary system rested securely on the
gold standard
"As the secretary Of the treasury stated
on February Ia, 1895, the first point to be
considered is the serious injury to German
silver mining. The production Of German
silver amounts to about per cent of the
total output of the world. The fall in price
is not of much moment in the immensely
larger production of foreign ores. But to
Germany 1t implies such decrease in value
as to endanger home silver mining. Another
point is its influence on Germany's exports
to silver countries. There Is no doubt that
trade with them is made much more difficult
by fluctuations in them and the fall of silver,
although lately fluctuations have been COM
p7Tayi"nIv ,ma.l apd those interested have
been able to find means to guard against
losses. But the German export trade with
silver countries has suffered from the con-
ditions.
II do not underestimate the importance
Of the effects produced by this cause" he
added, "but they must not be placed too
high. Our exports to silver countries amount
only to y per cent of our total exports, and
in spite of the setback during the months
when silver fell, they, on the whole, have
made favorable progress. Tho official statis-
tics prove that the deprecated currency of
silver countries contributes to facilitate COM
petition with the exports of these countries
until the moment when a compensatng in
fuence rises and home prices and wages
establish themselves, the final result being
that the silver coins become degraded to the
level of paper money. This depreciation,
however, does not endanger our currency,
because our trade is abundantly supported
by gold, and the imperial bank notes ade-
quately covered by the gold reserve and
the silver money do not exceed the de-
mand which, even in times of crisis, is not
likely to diminish.
INDICTMENT TO COUNTERFEITERS
"On the other hand, the danger from coun-
terfeit coinage has been increased by the
fall in silver, although there was only one
case in 1898. Yet a fall in the price Of sill
yer will always serve as an inducement to
counterfeiting Therefore, although a rise
in the price of silver is highly desirable from
economic and mint standpoints, yet no doubt
the goal can only be attained by an under
standing with the countries interested in
international commerce, of which there is no
present prospect The bimetalists recog
niZed the reopcning of the Indian mints as
a condition precedent to unlimited free coin
age, and concur, as l believe, that all other
efforts to raise the price are vain. The open
ing Of the Indian mints is not expected
within measurable time, as l have learned
from preliminary negotiations with the Brit
ish government"
Prince Hohenlohe concluded by saying: "a
monetary conference would not bring the
question nearer to practical solution, and
therefore 1t appears to be undesirable that
Germany should take the lead in summoning
conference. The federal governments, act
ing upon their conviction, have decided not
TO take further steps In pursuance Of the
resolution of the Reichstag of February 16,
1896. If, however, definite and acceptable
proposals promising success were made on
behalf of another state, should duly con-
slider the question of German representation
at a conference"
During the agrarian discussion in the
Diet on Wednesday last Count Won Hohens-
brooch declared that forty-nine of fifty cases
H., ArIr In,
were imported from America, and he called
for more stringent examination Of Ameri-
can pork.
The colonial office is now considering the
new emigration BILL which provides favors
and inducements to be offered to German
emigrants willing to go to the German colo
MES, where military service may be per-
formed.
END TO COURT FETES.
The court fetes were marred this year by
tho deaths of royalties. A brilliant pro-
gram had been arranged, but the demise of
Prince Alexander of Prussia and the death
of Prince Henry of Battenburg, as well as
that Of the grand duchess OF Oldenburg, COM
PEELED their cancelling. In addition the death
Of the grand duke of Mecklenburg Is ex-
pected at Cannes daily.
Emperor William has been much grieved
at the death Of Mr.. Theodore Runyon, ambas-
sador Of the United States to Germany,
which, his majesty said robbed the court
for the time being of one of the most beau
tifu ladies in attendance, Mrs Hasklns, Mr..
Runyons daughter.
There have been many changes in the
posts at court during the past week, with a
view of getting rid Of all those who have
been In any way involved in the Van Kotze
scandal, which will lead to the retirement
of Princess Frederick Of Hohenzollern and
Albert of Saxe-Altenberg to their estates
The emperor Is attending daily the fenc-
ing lessons, which are being given to his |
two eldest sons by Colonel Dresky. the |
former instructor Of his majesty. and he |
frequently takes part in fencing bouts him |
self Indeed, the emperor has devised a |
fencing mask which IL now being used and |
which, 1t is claimed, precludes accidents,
- l..