Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1897-12-22
KEENEY PROPHEsIEs WAR.

cember 9Th:
Mr.. George Keeney, national or
gamer Of the Silver party and presi-
dent of the National Association of
Silver Clubs, has returned to Wash
ington, after an extended tour through
the South and West, and reopeped
the national headquarters of the par
ty in the Sun building. Mr.. Keeney
although comparatively young in ma
tional political work, is already one of
the most prominent and widely known
apostles of the silver cause in the
United States. 1t was he who unaid-
ed and without funds, organized the
movement III New York City, which,
up to that time had been considered
as a hopeless field for bimetallism
and which resulted in the now
historic mass meeting at Cooper
Union.
On July 18th last the Times pub
ished an article setting forth at
length Mr.. Keeney's views ON the
progress Of tine silver movement In
the course of this article Mr.. Keeney
expressed certain opinions which, in
the light of recent developments, were
prophetic.
at is conceded by the ablest Euro
pean statisticians," wrote Mr.. Keeney,
"that this country has che produc-
tive energy Of any three OF the great
European powers combined. That
means that we have the natural, or
latent. power to sustaiu ourselves as
a nation against any combination of
European capital in peace or war.
Hence, it - only question of devel-
oping that energy and exercising that
power. This is precisely what the
international gold trust seeks to pre-
vent, and what ii has prevented thus
far. The very existence of Ameri-
can instit buttons is standing menace
to the tOttermg thrones of Europe.
Tho opening of the mints of the
United States to the free and unlim-
tied coinage of silver at the ratio of
16 to l would mean an increase in the
worlds volume of money. 1t would
mean with our productive energy we
could and would force European ma
tons to the bimetallic standard, or
force them out of the trade markets
Of the world. Hence, it follows as
logical conclusion that a victory Of
the silver forces will be followed by
a war between the United States and
several Of the powers of europe CON-
bined, the like of which will be with
out precedent in the annals Of his
tory"
Less than five months after the
publication of Mr.. Keeney's forecast,
Count Goluchowiski, A Austrian minis
ter Of foreign affairs, and one of the
foremost statesmen Of Europe, pro-
phesied n great struggle between
Europe and America. He declared
as the Times readers will remember
that the turning point had been
reached i'll European development,
which calls for the unremi3ting
attention Of the powers. The destruc-
tive competition with trans oceanic
countries which had partly been car
ried on and is partly to be expected
IN the near fture, require prompt
and thorough counteracting measures.
The nations of Europe must stand
shoulder to shoulder in the approach
ing contest, and arm themselves for
the struggle by every means at Cheir
disposal. The beginning OF the
twentieth century, he sale, would,
unless some immediate means OF
counteracting the prevailing ten
dency were discovered and put in ac-
ton, see bimetallsm prevailing "from
the north pole to Patagonia, and when
this financial condition became effect
i've the last hope of European indus.
trial competition with America would
vanish"
Mr.. Keeney's forecast was widely