The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-01-21


In terms, asked the French ambassador and
ourselves TO suggest wherein, in our opinion,
England could materially contribute to a solu-
tion of the question and ut the same time re-
tain for her own people the gold standard; and
what are termed proposals" were not volun-
teered, but were made by way of suggestion at
the explicit request OF the English ministry
When they were received they were treated
with full consideration, as were the representa-
tives Of the two governments conducting the
negotiations
The newspapers OF London like the newspa-
pers OF many OF the capitals of the world, are
dominated by and allied with the banking ele-
ment and reflect their views ana often their
expressions The business of money loaning Is
an ongrossing pursuit, not always tending TO
the cultivation Of the amenities OF life and IL
is not TO be wondered at that the London news
papers, vocing that industry should in their
hostility to policy of which they disapprovcd,
forget for the moment that courtesy which is
due to the stranger within the gates, especially
when he comes upon invitation, and that they
should be led to charactorize proposals as i'm
pertinent" which were made only upon the
quest of their own government
1t was perfectly realized from the beginning
that bimetallism for England was out of the
question India was the vital point OF all the
negotiations with England and all other pro-
posals were insignificant in comparison with
that respecting the reopGnlng Of the minis of
India to the unlimited coinage of silver and the
repeal Of the order permitting gold to be paid
for government dues and to be exchanged for
government rupees
Many English monometallists OF wide infu-
ence believe the policy to be O mistaken one
and would be glad to see the India minis
opened, IL it could be done without stimulating
the cause OF bimetalism and as q separate and
distinct action.
Mr.. Wolcott next enumerated the
obstacles with which the commission
had to contend, in which he included
the remarkable dropin the price of sill
YER, the coincident tariff legislation in
the United States and the statement
of New York bankers in England, who,
he said, sought access to the English
officials and treasured them that any
sentiment which had formerly existed
in the United States in favor of BIZ
metallism, was dead. Other statements
made by the bankers, according to Mr..
Wolcott. were the following: That
the mission was sent solely as sop TO
few far western republicans; that
the country generally favored the gold
standard and that the president of the
United States shared this view.
Questions of possible future negotia-
tions," continued Mr.. Wolcott, "be-
tween France and the United States
and other countries, and the question
of change of ratio are for the moment
held in allegiance"
Mr.. Wolcott then announced his in
tention to retire from the commission
and continues:
II is my sincere conviction that an interna-
tional bimetallic agreement is still feasible, by
the terms OF which certain countries will Join
us and open their minis to the unlimited coin
age OF silver, and others will contribute to the
plan and enlarged use OF that metal us money;
and say this the more freely because l shall
give way upon the commission TO somebody
more fitted for such negotiations and better
able to give them his constant time. This re-
suit cannot be brought about without the ex-
penditure OF both time and patience. and the
persons intrusted with the duty OF negotiation
must have back OF them the hearty support of
the president and congress-
The senator then wound up as fol-
lows:
Whatever differences OF opinion may exist as
to the ability OF this country alone to maintain
the parity between silver and gold there no
question that the concurrence OF other nations
would help and not hinder the cause OF bimet-
allism in the United States, and efforts to Sc
cure IL ought to receive the cordial support OF
every clllLeu VINO Is oppOSeu 10 ROlu InOnOinet-
allism International bimetallism is not
myth, chimera. The people OF Europe are,
even rs we are, struggling to keep their heads
above water and seeking blindly for that which
may make for prosperity and for progress
Much of The recent legislation In Europe
looking TO the increase OF gold holdings and the
depreciation OF silver finds It's origin In the ex-
igencies OF a situation where readiness for war
is the paramount necessity There is hardly a
statesman in Europe who believes the last
word has yet been said upon the question OF
the reconciliation OF silver and hardly one
who would not welcome an effort to settle the
question internationally, Only few days ago.
just before Christmas, In a debate In the French
chamber, M Meline again declared from the
tribune that the French government was alone
with the United States on the question of BIZ
metalllsm
In the face Of such declaration II is as
cowardly to abandon hope as II is false TO talk
about failure International bimetallism is to
the gold mOnometallsts q stumbling block and
TO the silver monometallists foolshness, but II
is nevertheless splendid possibility; It's ac-
complshment would be the greatest blessing
that could befall our people, and to achieve It
we might well AFFORD TO sink for the time, the
hostilitles of party and the chickering's of fac
tions