Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-17

question overshadows all others, and that
continued adhesion to the single gold stand
ard means only disaster to our agricultural
and commercial interests
The commission, he said, in its six
months stay abroad visited only London
and Paris. and he added that whatever
measure of success or failure had been
meted out to the commission, 1T had been
hampered by no lack of authority or sane
ton or administrative support" The IAN
guage of .Ae law had been the commissions
guide. and there were never at any time"
he said. instructions given us that sought
In the slightest degree to changes or ham
per or limit the full powers conferred upon
US by law. We have BEEN" he continued
'of one mind and in entire agreement dur
ing all Of our negotiations, and our efforts
have been Loyalty furthered by our repre-
sentatives abroad. who were fortified by
strenuous instructions. In England, espe-
cially. the able and intelligent and cordial
cooperation of our ambassador was of
great advantage in our deliberations
Summing up the favorable conditions un-
der which the commission operated, Mr.
Wolcott said: I'VE have had, them a law
broad and full in its powers; we have been
free to act under its provisions; our views
have been identical and earnestly favoring
an international agreement; and we have
had the hearty support of our ambassador
at the court of st. James Further than
this, from the day of our first entering
upon the fulfiilment of our duties until
now, the President of the United States has
extended to the mission his unswerying
support in all it's efforts to bring about an
international agreement There has been
no moment that we have not known that
BACK or our efforts was the earnest desire
of the chief executive to carry out in it's
integrity the provisions of the platform of
the republican party pledging it to every
effort to bring about an International hi.
metallic agreement.
The failures Of former interna tional con-
ierences ne said. made it evident that I'M
less some prior understanding was arrived
al win some of the commercial nations,
another failure would be the result OF an
International conference at this time and
as france, Germany and Great Britain had
"ltnln the year made declara lions favor
aple TO silver. it was decided to bring the
SUBJECT to the attention of these yar,oua
countries, and. naturally the first turn wa
maze 10 France. for many reasons but
sDote all, because Of Premier Meline's he
iel IN Dimetaiiism In France, he said, the
question of bimetallism was regarded "a
strictly an international question. and !:
was agreed that France and the Tinted
states should unite in presenting the oues-
t non ,r 10 great Britain. He commended for
standing with France because of the larger
per capita circulation of that country sihad
England even adhered to ner assurances of
the nth of March, 1896, countries renre-
senting more than half of the total money
or Europe and the United States wouId
nave agreed prior to q conference that
upon terms to be settled at such conferences
limited coinage of both gold and silver"
Negotiations With France.
Mr.. Wolcott then detailed at some length
the joint negotiations on the part of the
American commissioners and the French
ambassador in England At first. he said
there seemed but few difficulties in tho wav
and he quoted the resolutions of the house
of commons and the utterances of Mr. Ra,-
four and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach of March
II, 1896.
We were not. therefore" he continued.
with the certainty Of that reception which
must follow direct and open invitation. And
the welcome We had the right to expect
was received: From the day we reached
England until we left it finally in October.
our official treatment was everything that
could be desired. The English ministry. in
terms, asked the French ambassador and
ourselves ;o TO suggest wherein, in our opin-
ION, England could materially contribute to
solution Of the question. and at the same
time retain for her own people the gold
standard; and what are termed the pro-
posals were not volunteered, and were
made only by way Of suggestion. at the Az
pncit request Of the English ministry.
when they were received they were treated
Win TUT consideration. as were the rep
resentatives Of the two governments con-
Quoting the negotiations"
Hostile London Press.
was not surprising that another View
should have prevailed tn this countrva
view based. he said, ION the intemperats
and hostile and somewhat brutal utter
ances OF the London press respecting the
proposals Of the French and American rem
rNentatives. w
The newspapers Of London, IKE the
newspapers of many Of the capitals OF the
world" he went on. ARE dominated by and
allied with the banking element and re-
Meet their views and often their expres.
stons The business of money leaning Is an
engrossing pursuit, not always tending to
the cultivation Of the amenities Of life and
1t to not to be wondered at that the london
ewspapers. voicing that industry, Should.
IN their hostility to a policy Of which thew
dtsproved. forget for the moment that
courtesy which Is due to the stranger with
In the gates. especially when he conas
upon invitation, and that they should he
led to characterize proposals as sfmperti-
cent which were r1ade only upon reuuest
OF their own government"
India the Vital Point.
ut was. perfectly realised from the he
ginning" he said. that bimetaliisn for
England was out Of the question.
'1ndss was the Vital potnt Of al the naso.