again, since the prices, especially for raw sugar, paid the producers no profits. This amount included 660,000,000 pounds of refined and about 530,000,000 pounds of raw sugar sent to England. The consulgeneral transmits the following table, with additional details:

Exports of sugar (net) from Germany to countries of destination during the year 1896–97.

*The kinds of sugar belonging to the different classes are, since August 1, 1896, the following: (a) Raw sugar containing at least 90 per cent sugar, and refined sugar containing under 98 per cent, but at least 90 per cent, sugar; (6) rock candy and sugar in white, full, hard cakes, blocks, plates, sticks, or squares, or in white, hard, translucent crystals, containing at least 99 per cent sugar; all these sugars come under custom-house supervision; (c) all other sugars containing at least 98 per cent of sugar.

† 100 kilograms=220.46 pounds.

RECLAIMING STERILE LAND IN GERMANY.

The value of agricultural land in this consular district is unusually high, the holdings per capita are small, and owners are consequently compelled to plant remunerative crops, reserving only sufficient ground for the cultivation of food products and forage for cattle. An interesting illustration in the attempt to retain, or even increase, the arable surface is at present to be observed 2 miles east of this city.

The valley of the Rhine is about 20 miles across at this point, the lower or river terrace consisting of agricultural lands exceedingly rich in loam and old river deposits, while 2 miles east of the river the second terrace rises to a height of about 40 feet, most of which consists entirely of fine sand, covered at various places by a thin film of loam and now used for the training of pines. Passing through several miles of artificial forest, one emerges to find better soil and ordinary farm lands used for raising wheat, oats, potatoes, and carrots. The removal of the edge of the above-mentioned sand terrace was begun early in the spring, the material being transported by cars over a temporary track. The sand is removed by means of specially constructed dredges, and at this time of writing about 6 acres have been exposed, reducing the surface to the level of the farm lands on the lower or river terrace. The top crust of loam has been carefully removed from the sand terrace and carried down to the newly exposed surface of sterile river gravel to form new acreage, being there distributed and having a depth of about 6 or 8 inches. Over a great portion of this new surface, young cabbage plants are growing, and other crops will be started as rapidly as the loam is deposited and leveled.

This illustration is but one of many showing rigid economy among these hard-working inhabitants.

WALTER J HOFFMAN,

MANNHEIM, June 1, 1898.

Consul.

COMMERCE OF BELGIUM, 1897.

The commerce between Belgium and foreign countries for the year 1897 exceeds that of the preceding year by 3 per cent.

The importations and exportations combined for 1897 were $1,144,123,300, to which must be added $21,809,000, representing the value of diamonds in the rough and cut state imported and exported during that year. The value of diamonds imported in the rough state was $10,615,000, and $11, 194,000 the value of cut diamonds exported.

The estimated annual production of rough diamonds from all mines is about $20,000,000.

The Belgian diamond cutters buy their rough diamonds at the international diamond market in London.

Table showing the value of rough diamonds purchased by the diamond cutters in Belgium for the years named.

1894.....

1895........

1896.......

1897.....

$7,750,000

9, 650, 000

10, 615,000 10, 615, 000

In the year 1896, the importations from the United States into Belgium were valued at $33,504,800. During the year 1897, such imports amounted to $44,718, 100, which shows an increase of 33 per cent for 1897. The principal increase occurs in grains, drugs, cotton, meats, oak and walnut woods, horses and colts, vegetables and vegetable substances, resins and bitumens, and fruits.

The exports from Belgium to the United States for 1897 show an increase of 24 per cent over those for 1896. In the official statistics of Belgium, such exports figure for $11,657,200 for the year 1897. The same statistics show the exports for the year 1896 to have been $9,437,700. It is to be noted that the declared value of merchandise exported from Belgium to the United States, as certified by the consular officers of the United States in Belgium for the year ended December 31, 1896, is stated at $11,216,077.68. The principal increase in the table of exports to the United States for 1897 consists of caoutchouc, unrefined sugar, skins, dyes, coals, linen and woolen goods, chemical products, arms, and rags.

The balance of trade between Belgium and the United States for 1896 was $22, 288,722.20 in favor of the United States. The balance of trade in favor of the United States for 1897 was $33,060,900. HENRY W. GILBERT,

LIEGE, June 24, 1898.

Consul.

CONGRESS ON TARIFFS AND LABOR IN

ANTWERP.

An international congress treating of tariff legislation and the regulation of labor will be held at Antwerp between the 12th and 17th days of September next.

Public economists, socialists, manufacturers, merchants, employers, and workmen are invited to take part.

The topics proposed for discussion are as follows:

FIRST SECTION-TARIFF LEGISLATION AND TREATIES OF COMMERCE.

(1) What results have been derived from the application of the different tariff systems: (a) For the producer; (6) for the workman; (c) for the consumer.

(2) What ought to be the basis of the tariff legislation?

(3) Is it of advantage to have several tariffs of different rates?

(4) Are treaties of commerce advantageous? What points should they cover?

(5) When two powers join in a treaty of commerce, is it desirable at the same time to regulate by legislation the affairs of colonies which do not enjoy autonomy? (6) What improvements can be effected in ascertaining statistics of foreign commerce?

SECOND SECTION-REGULATION OF LABOR.

(1) What is the best form of organization of trades unions?

(2) What influence upon industrial progress and upon the relations existing between employer and workman has been exerted by the institution of the inspection of work?

(3) What betterment in the condition of the workingman has been due to his own initiative?

(4) Is special legislation required to regulate the relations between employer and workman? If yes, how should laws pertaining to contracts for service be formulated?

(5) Should legislation in favor of the protection of infants be extended to cover their education?

(6) Under what conditions have hours of labor been limited, and how has the method worked? What has been this influence upon production and wages?

The congress will be in session six days. In order to insure liberty of discussion and to encourage free expression of opinion, the congress will not submit to vote any resolution. The Minister of Finances has accepted the honorary presidency of the congress, and the Belgian Government will be represented by four delegates. GEO. F. LINCOLN,

ANTWERP, June 1, 1898.

Consul.

ANGLO-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BELGIUM.

Consul Roosevelt sends from Brussels, under date of June 29, a copy of the constitution and laws of the recently-founded chamber of commerce in that city, an account of which was given in his report of April 7, 1898.* A summary of the inclosure is given below:

The chamber shall consist of Englishmen and of citizens of the United States; also of those interested in the trade between Belgium, England, and the United States. The annual subscription shall be 50 francs ($9.65) for each member residing in Belgium, and 50 francs for every firm or company nonresident and having no agency in Belgium. The fee for life membership is 500 francs ($96.50). The consuls-general for Great Britain and the United States are honorary presidents, and the vice-consuls honorary members. The affairs of the chamber shall be managed by a council of thirty members, five of whom shall form a quorum, and shall consist exclusively of British subjects or of citizens of the United States. Ten members of the council shall retire annually. The annual

*See CONSULAR REPORTS No. 213 (June, 1898), p. 273.

meetings of the chamber shall be held in May, a quorum to consist of twenty members. Whenever a question arises for discussion that affects the special interests of either British subjects or citizens of the United States, the council shall divide itself into sections; the meeting shall resolve itself into a committee, with a chairman of the nationality whose interests are concerned. The members only of that nationality shall have a right to vote on the question.

Mr. Roosevelt also incloses a circular issued by the chamber of commerce, which reads as follows:

ANGLO-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN BELGIUM.

29, Boulevard Anspach, 29, Brussels.

WHAT THE CHAMBER DOES FOR ITS MEMBERS.

1. Information as to standing of firms.-The chamber procures, on application, and supplies to its members, but without any guaranty whatsoever, strictly confidential information in regard to the standing, credit, and reliability of Belgian, English, and American firms with which they may be doing or intending to do business.

2. Agents and representatives.—It affords special facilities to British and American firms desiring agents and representatives in Belgium by placing them in communication with firms or individuals likely to do business for them; and, when required, by submitting, without responsibility, lists of people applying at the chamber for the Belgian representation of British and American houses.

3. Statistical and general information.—It procures for its members statistical and other information from official, or from the most reliable, sources in regard to Belgian trade or to matters connected with or affecting trade with Belgium.

4. Lists of firms engaged in particular trades.—It provides from the most reliable sources the names of some of the principal firms engaged in a particular trade in Belgium, and also gives members the means of obtaining comprehensive lists for the sending of catalogues and circulars, if required.

5. Advice of customs circulars and changes in tariff.-It sends by special letter to each member whom it may concern notice of any changes in the Belgian tariff, and in the classification of goods, with a translation of any customs circulars and notices which may contain dispositions affecting his trade, the moment such documents are forwarded to the chamber by the Belgian Government. The chamber receives notice of these changes direct from the customs authorities by circulars which are not issued to the public.

6. Intervention on behalf of members with Belgian customs.—It intervenes with the highest customs authorities on behalf of its members when they have prima facie a reasonable case in which goods have been too highly taxed.

7. Representations to home governments on behalf of members.—It upholds the interests of British and American traders with Belgium by representations to the home Governments in cases when legislation is apprehended which might be contrary to their interests, or when legislation is required for their benefit.

8. Books of reference at the disposal of members.-It holds at the disposal of its members for reference a very complete and valuable set of directories of important British, American, and Belgian cities, and of codes for the purpose of deciphering code telegrams. The library of works of reference and official publications of the British, American, and Belgian Governments is open to members within office hours. A large number of English, American, and Belgian trade papers are also received by the chamber and held at the disposal of members.