New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-08

u..s,on. which had to be removed as soon
=. ns arrived He was compelled to explain
-, his task was self-imposed and unofficial
"a that II was simply a personal quest for
,,ormatjon On the monetary situation me
ttanrness with which he released Mr.. Mckin-
lev from responsibility for his tour OF lnvesIi-
.e!,,on and the eagerness and thoroughness
ser which he entered upon his study or
N~omnIex subject commended him at once to the
ood graces and hospitality or the leaders Oh
soIificaL financial and social London.
PVeanator Wolcott has been literally over
,,somed with social attentions here He has
NET Mr. Arthur Balfour several times he mas
Nd n prolonged interview with the Chancellor
10 ,he Exchequer he has seen Lord George
Hamilton Mr. Chamberlain and Other members
~ the Government. and he has been in daily
Communication with the most experienced fnan-
e,ers In the city. Nothing could be further from
NE truth than the Washington allegation that
he has been coolly and cynically received in
London. ,.o
I'D unsolicited advertisement of his journey be-
Gore he left New-York. has been scrupulous in
avoiding publicity here. His object was TO OBJ
tain q free exchange of views with eminent pup
,,c men economists and flnanciers on the silver
ouestion, and the possible conditions under
which an international conference may be held
This purpose would not have been promoted by
newspaper interviews. He has denied himself
20 reporters. and has not taken the public INTO
his confidence. This policy. while it has exposed
him 10 the penalty Of escaping observation In
The daily press has facilitated his quest for in
formation The most important Government
officials and economic experts have talked with
him with the utmost freedom. He has met
every one whom he wished to see. The list or
distinguished people with whom he has been
comforting on confidential terms would be long
and impressive one. Mr. Bryan and other mono
metallist silver leaders If they were in London,
would supply more local copy for the press. but
they would not promote the interests of nterna-
tional bimetallism. Senator Wolcott is man
OF distinction. who has inspired confidence and
commanded respect by the dignity OF his conduct
end by the reasonableness of his argument. He
has adapted himself to English customs and
methods OF procedure
CHANCES OF INTERNATIONAL ACTION.
While Senator Wolcott has left London to-day
FOR Paris, his departure Is not in consequence of
any change of plans nor of any lack of cordiali-
" in his reception here. He made no secret
when he arrived in London of the fact that he
had important work to do in Paris, and he is now
CARRYING out prearranged plan. 1t is not likely
that he will go 10 Berlin or TO any other Eu-
ropean capital nor is il probable that his stay in
Paris will be longer than week nor that his re-
turn 10 America will be deferred many days after
his arrival in London. One thrg. however, may
confidently be assumed and that Is that the
Senator will return to Washington with unique
knowledge of the existing status Of English and
French opinion on the silver question. In that
sense his self-imposed mission has been crowned
already with success. He will be able TO speak
with authority on the prospects Of international
action respecting silver.
II nothing else has been gained through the
Senator's conferences in London. change OF
temper in the discussion of the monetary prob
lem has been disclosed When the Brussels con-
ference was held, there no attempt TO con-
ceal Englands uncomp promising hostility to
double standard and to international action on
behalf of silver. / do not believe that there is
even remote probability that England Will
abandon the single gold standard; but it is GER
tainly true that the tone Of nfeXible opposition
20 international action is not as bitter as ii was.
II an international conference We're called. 1t is
probable that the Indian minis would be re-
opened at once.
That might be the only concession which Eng
land would make. but ii would be an important
one. The Indian situation is critical one and
under existing conditions the reOpening Of the
minis would prove relief measure in releasing
the peasantry from bondage to the village
mOney-lenders and in enabling them 10 make
better terms in dispOsing Of their ornaments
their only reserve and last resource. The Min
listers of the day might be glad of q preteXt for
reOpening the minis, and their example would
not be without effect upon Continental nations,
like Germany. Russia and Austria Hungary,
which, in reorganizing their currency systems,
have been approaching gold recommendation
the safest basis of finance. No shrewd observer
will be beguiled into the belief that the prospect
but India in this calamitous year is
I'm object lesson from which much is to be
learned England has a paramount interest in
the restoration Of the solvency and prosperity Of
silver countries. I. r.