Labor in North France.-Commercial Agent Atwell, of Roubaix, under date of October 3, 1898, says that in Lille 6 per cent of the bakers are idle; the working-day in the linen factories has been shortened. One-third of the weavers of Haspres are without work, and the same proportion of coopers at Dunkirk. Metal workers and boiler makers are busy. Twelve per cent of the masons at Dunkirk are idle. At Maubeuge, bread has diminished in price 1 cent on 61⁄2 pounds. Increase of Imports from Switzerland.-Consul-General DuBois writes from St. Gall, September 21, 1898, that in August, 1898, Swiss exports to the United States amounted to $568,715, an increase of $255,903 over August, 1897. These are the first two Augusts under the new tariff, and the increase has taken place in spite of the war and the assertions of exporters here that the action of the New York custom-house would greatly reduce shipments and thus curtail the revenue. Value of Railways in Sweden.-Consul-General Winslow, of Stockholm, under date of September 22, 1898, says that at the close of 1897, the Government railroads (not private corporations), together with their real and personal property, were valued at $85,600,000: Gold Shipments from Cape Colony.-Consul Hopley, writing. from Southampton, September 20, 1898, notes the arrival of heavy shipments of gold from the Cape, as follows: Trade Conditions in the Transvaal.-Consul-General Stowe writes from Cape Town, September 8, 1898, that there is a decrease of trade in the South African Republic, the returns for July showing a 25 per cent reduction. For the year ending December 31, 1897, the value of goods entering the ports of Cape Colony for removal to the South African Republic was £4,357,547 ($21,206,002), against £5,939,643 ($28,895,273) in 1896. Iron Works in New South Wales.-Consul Goding writes. from Newcastle, August 16, 1898, that there is a project to establish iron works in New South Wales capable of manufacturing steel rails. Offers will be received from people having command of considerable capital. While the quality of iron ore, adds Mr. Goding, is not the best, those interested are determined to utilize it in the manufacture of heavy steel rails. Postal Savings Bank in Java.—Under date of September 8, 1898, Consul Everett, of Batavia, writes that postal savings banks. were opened on July 1, 1898. The results, so far, have been encouraging. The rate of interest is 2.4 per cent, and the regulations are modeled on those of the British postal savings banks, modified to suit local conditions. The full text of the report has been trans mitted to the Post-Office Department. Exemptions from Duty in the Netherlands.-Minister Newel writes from The Hague, under date of Octobor 18, 1898, that by royal order dated October 7, 1898, appearing in the Official Gazette of the 18th, exemption from duty will be accorded on vinegar and acid of wood (pyroligneous acid) required in factories for the making of lucifer matches. Vancouver-Vladivostock Steamship Service.-Commercial Agent Beutelspacher, writing from Moncton, under date of October 19, 1898, notes that the Canadian Pacific Railway is to place a line of steamships on the Pacific Ocean between Vancouver and Vladivostock. The Trans-Siberian Railway, adds Mr. Beutelspacher, will open an immense territory with abundant resources. Canadian manufacturers are hoping to obtain a share in the trade of the East. Amalgamation of Ontario Vinegar Manufacturers.-Consul Culver transmits from London, under date of October 27, 1898, a newspaper clipping to the effect that the principal vinegar factories in Ontario are to be amalgamated under one management, in Toronto. The company is to be capitalized at $500,000. It is expected that a very large saving in operating expenses and consequently in the cost of the product will be effected. Consular Reports Transmitted to Other Departments.-The following reports from consular officers (originals or copies) have been transmitted since the date of the last report to other Departments for publication or for other action thereon: Consular officer reporting. Date. Subject. Department to which referred. J. G. Stowe, Cape Town..... Sept. 3,1898 Market rates of agricul- Department of Agriculture. J. N. Ruffin, Asuncion........ Sept. 14, 1898 Commercial list of Paraguay. Thomas Smith, Moscow..... Sept. 30, 1898 Education in Russia..... Navy Department. Department of Agriculture. Treasury Department. Bureau of the American Re- Bureau of Education. Do. Bureau of the American Republics. Department of Labor. Hydrographic Office. FOREIGN REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS. American Products in Japan.-A British Foreign Office report (annual series 2189) on the trade of Osaka and Hiogo in 1897 says: To the English manufacturer, by far the most satisfactory feature in last year's trade was the improvement in the import of metals, machinery, and railway material. The machinery imports in 1897 and 1896, compared, were approximately as follows: Articles. 1897. 1896. Remarks. Spinning and weaving ma- £414,000 $2,014,731 £260,000 $1,265,290 Practically all British. chines. 554.781 399,053 291,990 British, 56 per cent; United States, 28 per cent; German, 12 per cent; French, 2 per cent; other countries, 2 per cent. Practically all British. United States, 57 per cent; British, 43 per cent. British, 80 per cent; United States, 16 per cent; other countries, 4 per cent. 316,323 Swiss, 78 per cent; United States, 13 per cent; Ger man, 6 per cent; French, 2 per cent; British, 1 per cent. 126,529 German, 51 per cent; United States, 38 per cent; French, 8 per cent; other countries, 3 per cent. States, 14 per cent; Ger man, 6 per cent. Parts of railway and other carriages. 18,000 87,597 11,000 535,315 British, 80 per cent; United While the figures are approximately correct for this port, the percentages of the articles imported from different countries are calculated on the total figures for the goods imported at all the open ports of Japan, figures showing the country of origin for the goods imported at each open port not being available. In view of the marked advance of American competition during 1897, the following figures covering the total locomotive-engine imports into all the ports of Japan are attached for purposes of comparison: In 1897: British, 43 per cent; American, 57 per cent; other countries, nominal. In 1896: British, 65 per cent; American, 26 per cent; other countries, 9 per cent. Out of the increased locomotive imports of 1897, amounting to £245,300 ($1,192,752), the United States took 193,640 ($942, 349); Great Britain, only £64,660 ($313,668); and other countries lost £13,000 ($63,265). Thus the United States secured 75 per cent and Great Britain only 25 per cent of this increase. In the imports of metals, the principal items were: Rails were exported from the United States to Japan for the first time in 1896. The development in 1897 deserves attention. In 1896, British rails were four-fifths of all imported; in 1897, they were less than half. There were imported £73,000 ($355,254) more rails in 1897 than in 1896; but British rails fell off by £40,000 ($194,660), while the import of American rails increased by £86,000 ($418,419). In 1897, for railway material Great Britain had 611⁄2 per cent; United States, 164 per cent; Belgium, 13 per cent; Germany, 94 per cent. In 1896, Great Brit |