MINERAL PRODUCTIOX IX THE UNITED STATES 201 



Fifth. The arbiters are to meet in Paris within GO days after 

 the printed arguments liave been submitted, and decide tiie 

 questions submitted ; all questions to be decided l)y a majority ; 

 each party to appoint an agent to assist the tribunal. 



Sixth. Within eight months, /. c, on or l)efore February 14, 

 1898, the case is to l)e sul)mitted, witli proofs, documents, etc. 



Seventh. Within four months thereafter, /. c, on or before 

 June 14, 1898, the counter-case is to be similarly submitted, 

 and may contain new matter, with proofs. 



Eighth. Within three months thereafter, ?. c, on or before 

 Sei)tember 14, 1898, the agent of each government must submit 

 his argument in print. Oral arguments may then be had. 



Ninth. The arbiters may lengthen each period above named 

 by 30 days. 



Tenth. Decision to be rendered within three months after the 

 case has been argued, to be in dujjlicate, in writing, and signed 

 by the arbiters who assent to it. 



Eleventh. An exact journal of proceedings is to be kept. 



Twelfth. Each government is to pay its own agent, and the 

 cost of the arbitration shared equally. 



Thirteenth. The parties agree to be l)Ound l)y the decisions 

 rendered. 



It thus appears that the controversy bids fair to reach its final 

 stage sometime during the winter of 1898-'99. 



MINERAL PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES 



The mineral products of the United States in the calendar 

 year 1896 had a total value, according to a recent rei)ort of the 

 U. S. Geological Survey, of 8021,909,940, the value of the me- 

 tallic products being more by §4,868,931, and that of the non- 

 metallic less l)y §5,586,656, than in 1895. 



The great increase in the i)roduction of pig iron, so much com- 

 mented ui)on last year, has not been maintained, tiie output 

 having fallen off more than 800,000 long tons, representing a 

 decrease in value of nearly S15,000,000. On the other hand, the 

 production of gold has increased from §46,010,000 to §5;>,(tS,S.(MH». 

 that of silver from §36,445,000 to §39,655,000, and tbat of coj^per 

 from §38,682,347 to §48,698,267. Gold shows an increase of over 

 60 per cent in four years, the i>roduction of silver is the largest 

 since 1893, and even the output of copper has almost doubhnl 



*t 



