Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14

sion. President Mckinley desired that
the subject Of international bimetallam
should be lifted above party politics,
and that the men selected should be
those who would work In harmony to-
ward bringing about an agreement. II
was also believed by the President that
the name OF Mr.. Stevenson would give
the commission great weight abroad.
Opposition TO ti4secheme for interna-
tional bimetallism has developed from
an unexpected source. Moreton Frewen.
OF England. who has given great deal
OF attention to the subject. and who has
visited this country several times In
the interest of silver. Il now opposing
an international agreement, and de-
clares that the money question is one
which each nation must settle for itseif.
Mr.. Frewen will oppose any agreement
not In that direction.
Senator Wolcott said to-day that the
gold-standard countries would oppose
any further depreciation OF silver, ana
that efforts were now being made TO pre-
vent any further fall OF silver In INDIA;
also that the demand for gold by Japan,
in establishing gold standard, would
cause a drain of gold from Europe.
which would be resisted by gold coun-
tries.
In the United States. Senator Wolcott
anticipates little opposition to bimetal-
lism. What opposition there Is. Mr.. VOL
colt says. comes from the German
bankers OF New York. who ere already
fighting bimetallism. and whose dppo-
stion the commission will meet when II
goes TO Europe. Senator Wolcott further
said that there appears to be a
mistaken impression that the commits
sion is appointed with a view to having
IL represent the United States in con-
ference only. While the commission
might be utilized in that way IL con-
ference should be held it's first work Is
TO be of a purely diplomatic character
looking entirely to securing European
cooperation Whether there shall be a
conference at all will depend upon how
the advances Of the commissioners are
received by the principal Powers.
SATISFACTORY IN LONDON.
LONDON. April 1S.-The appointment
OF Senator f. o. Wolcott. Of Colorado;
the Hon. Charles j. Payne. Of Boston,
and ex-Vice- President Stevenson as
commissioners TO an international con-
ference under the act approved on
March Sd, last, "for the promotion of an
international agreement for bimetal-
lism." has been received with the great
est satisfaction by the London bimetal-
lists who anticipate solid progress
through their efforts, although Mr..
Stevenson is unknown here as a none
tary expert.
MR.. STEvENSON'S VIEWS
BLOOMINGTON. ILL. April 13.-Ex-
Vice-President Stevenson said to-day,
when questioned about his appointment
on the commission for the promotion of
an international agreement: II appre-
ciate the compliment paid TO me by the
President, and will cheerfuly render
what assistance ! can TO accomplish the
object Of the commission. l am a BIZ
metallist. / regard the restoration Of
silver money to its proper function as
the supreme question in our own coun-
try and throughout the world. The i'm
portance of the question cannot be over
stated. In this country the increase Of
the volume Of business is beyond COM
putation. In the light Of these facts,
the rehabilitation of silver'is a prime
necessity Should its demonetization be-
come the settled policy. the evil days
upon which we have fallen but dimly
foreshadow the consequences yet to come.
Whatever their views may be as TO
the ability of our government TO main
tain the free and unlimited coinage Of
silver without the cooperation of the
leading countries of Europe. it may be
safely assumed that every friend of sill
yer in our country will welcome inter-
national bimetallism."
LAS to the impossibilty Of the success
of this commission. 1t is known that
the trend of public sentiment in FL
ropean countries. as well as In our own,
is undoubtedly favorable to bimetallsm.
% no tcic 90 nf nd
Germany are in earnest accord with our
government upon this question. Should
public sentiment in those countries JUS
tify it, an international conference would
undoubtedly be called and such action
taken as would be deemed proner."