evident that a certain amount of Government regulation will have to continue for some time after the war, in order to avoid certain grave evils and inflation of prices.-[Hansa, 1918.]

Transition Economy, Ministerial Commission for.

The dissolution of the Austrian ministry for transition economy has been completed. The Government has ordered the creation of a ministerial transition economy commission to prepare and accelerate the agenda of transition economy. A central committee has also been formed to deal with matters connected with import, export, and transit trade.-[Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmächte, July 12, 1918.]

Transition Economy, Committee of Private Organization to Deal with.

The imperial union of German industrial associations has combined with the imperial handicrafts council, the German-Austrian industrial association, the central association of economic cooperative societies, and the chief industrial associations of employees in forming an industrial central committee which is to take over the functions of the war economic association for industries, and is to be considered as the general representative of industries as regards legislation and administration.-[Wirtschaftszeitung der Zentralmächte, Aug. 23, 1918.]

War Material, Utilization and Release of.

In order to supply the necessary organization for the utilization of war material three departments have been formed: The "war material utilization office" in the Austro-Hungarian war ministry, the "common distribution committee" (gemeinsame verteilungsausschuss), and the "special committee for the release of war materials."

The first department decides what war material is to be retained for military purposes and what material is to be released for civilian use, the second manages the apportionment of the released material between Austria-Hungary and Bosnia, and the third has to see to the reemployment of the released material.

Special "utilization companies" are to form the superstructure of the organization.-[Wirtschaftsdienst, Aug. 30, 1918.]

Consumptive ex-Soldiers, Treatment of.

The Austrian ministry for national health has announced an arrangement according to which consumptive war-disabled soldiers will be handed over to the civil authorities. These will place them either in convalescent homes or with private families where the living conditions are suitable. The patients will be taught some craft, and eventually suitable places will be found for them. Those placed in private families will be under the care of Government doctors, and the families will be paid for their board and lodging.-[Neue Freie Presse, Sept. 8, 1918.]

War-Disabled Men, Technical Assistance for.

An association was formed in Austria four years ago known as the association for providing technical assistance for the war disabled.— [Neue Freie Presse, Sept. 17, 1918.]

Reconstruction Conference, Ministerial.

Early in September, 1918, a reconstruction conference was held at the ministry of public works in Vienna, attended by representatives of all the ministries and by the leaders of the sections of the reconstruction central. Various measures were issued to hasten the speedy building of dwellings and of providing the necessary materials for the devastated section of Galicia and to secure a supply of seed and corn.-[Nova-Reforma, Sept. 17, 1918.]

Reconstruction.

BELGIUM.

A number of Belgian manufacturers and traders whose business establishments are in Paris, London, and The Hague propose to form a purchasing body intended to insure a supply of tools and stock for Belgian industries and trade during the transition period, with the assistance of the Government. It is a cooperative society, entitled "Comptoir National pour l'Activite Economique en Belgique." [Informations Belges, Apr. 19, 1918.]

Reconstruction, Industrial and Agricultural.

An Interallied Commission for the Industrial and Agricultural Reconstruction of Belgium has been sitting for some time and has been dealing with the practical side of the reconstruction of Belgium. Its main center of activity is London.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Dec. 7, 1918, p. 920.]

Import Licenses.

Licenses for the importation of foodstuffs, clothing, textiles, and tobacco are issued by the ministry of industry, labor, and revictualizing. Licenses for importation of all other commodities (except certain foods and fats which require no licenses) are issued by the minister of economic affairs.―[U. S. War Trade Board Ruling 488, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 9, 1919, p. 114.] Preparing for Resumption of Trade.

The Belgian Government has taken steps in the direction of the reconstruction of trade and industry. Among the measures adopted is the immediate granting of ample credits to business concerns which have suffered from fires, without their having to wait for the effect of the war indemnity, which has still to be legally fixed. They are only to be granted to business concerns whose activities are in the interest of the general community, which are of Belgian nationality, and can show that they are actually and directly needed.

President Wilson, in his message to Congress, said that an indemnity in money was insufficient, and that Belgium must not be left to her own resources in the general struggle for raw materials and tools. Belgian manufacturers interpret this as meaning that Germany will have to pay an indemnity not only in money but in materials. Belgium is already endeavoring to resume and develop her commercial relations with the Argentine. It is intended to take Germany's place as an importer to that country and to encourage especially the export to Belgium of raw materials and foodstuffs from the Argentine. [Wirtschaftsdienst, Jan. 10, 1919.]

Export and Import Control.

In accord with a royal decree of November 8, a comité des exportations et importations is to act in an advisory capacity to the minister of economic affairs in controlling imports, exports, and goods in transit.-[Official U. S. Bulletin, Jan. 14, 1919.]

Repatriation.

The first consignment of Belgian refugees seeking shelter in England and Scotland has been returned to Antwerp. Those living in other parts of Belgium will be sent as soon as they can be received. The repatriation is at the expense of the British Government.— [Star, Washington, D. C., Jan. 14, 1919.]

Railroad Equipment Loan.

Belgium has asked the United States for a loan of 400 locomotives and 2,000 passenger cars in addition to the return of all the Belgian locomotives placed at the disposal of the American Expeditionary Forces. [Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 7, 1919; Wall Street Journal, New York, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1919.]

Credit for Manufacturing to Reduce Unemployment.

The Belgian Government has asked the Allied Powers for credit with which to recommence manufacturing and alleviate unemployment.-[Post, Washington, D. C., Feb. 11, 1919.]

Import Restrictions Removed.

Many restrictions on Belgian imports have been removed. The remaining exceptions are cereals, sugar, tobacco, wines, spirits, malt, and coal.-[Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 13, 1919.]

Exports.

According to an official Belgian statement, all exports from that country are prohibited except under license.-[Official U. S. Bulletin, Feb. 14, 1919.]

Belgian Indemnity Investigation.

The Peace Conference appointed, on February 15, a special committee to study the claims of Belgium for indemnity. This com

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mittee will consult with the Belgian commission in possession of figures as to Belgium's loss.-[Sun, New York, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1919.]

Finances.

London bankers are said to be anxious to invest heavily in financing Belgium's renascent industries. Nevertheless, the Belgian financial institutions have taken steps to establish a large credit in the United States; $100,000,000 is being asked for and a first advance of $50,000,000 actually being prepared by American bankers, for it is here that raw materials and machinery for the upbuilding of the Belgian industries will largely have to be bought. This credit, it is expressly stated, has nothing to do with so-called "rehabilitation financing' and is on a purely business basis, as beneficial to American industry as it is to the Belgian. Neither the United States nor the Belgian Government is directly concerned in the transactions, though both, of course, have to consent to them and are interested in so important an operation.-[The Survey, New York, N. Y., Mar. 1, 1919, p. 795.]

Conflict in Handling Reconstruction.

Miss A. Ruth Fry, in charge of the London committee of the Friends' War Victims Relief Committee, in a recent speech revealed many facts as to how Belgium is attempting to handle her reconstruction problem. Miss Fry's speech may be summarized as follows: Belgium for many years has been divided by race-the Walloons and the Flemish. In recent years there has been considerable strife between the Catholics and the Socialists which, if anything, has been increased in intensity by the events of the war. There is now added a new factor of misunderstanding-the emigrés and the nonemigrés. those who fled before the invader and those who remained through all the hardships. In Paris, under the wings of the Allies, a committee of Belgians have been working and planning for the reconstruction of the country. At the same time other committees have been evolving their own plans under the shadow of the invader. Neither of these two groups knew of the existence of the other until after the armistice. Therefore, when the chairman of the Paris committee went to Brussels he found himself and his work unknown, and his plans did not harmonize in all particulars with those who had remained at home. He also found that three ministries of the Belgian Government were each separately concerned in directing this work-the ministry of the interior, the ministry of public works, and the ministry of economic reconstruction. To-day Belgian relief is a mixture of stagnation and luxury. Food is scarce and prices are high, yet luxuries are plentiful as compared to necessities. The Belgian Government is anxious to assume control of its own relief work and has even seemed ungrateful in its refusal of offers of relief.[The Survey, New York, N. Y., Apr. 5, 1919, p. 50.]

BRAZIL.

Protection of Allied Trade.

The Portuguese, French, and Italian Chambers of Commerce in Brazil have decided to request their respective Governments to discharge from the army those individuals who as managers, directors, etc., of large concerns might be able to contribute toward the extension of the influence of the Allies in Brazil, in order to counteract the influence of Germany, which is purposing to regain Brazilian trade after the war.-[Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, May 21, 1918.]

Domestic Agricultural Production.

Since the entrance of Brazil into the war, great efforts have been made to increase domestic production of agricultural crops, in order to avoid using tonnage in importing commodities which might be produced in Brazil and to assist the Allied Nations in making up the shortage of food and other essential war supplies.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Aug. 28, 1918, p. 788.]

Industries Stimulated by War Conditions.

The Brazilian minister of foreign affairs has requested the governors of the several States to report upon the economic situation of the districts under their jurisdiction, especially with regard to the establishment of new industrial plants since the beginning of the European War. These reports are published in detail as received. [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Oct. 19, 1918, p. 262.]

Coffee.

Over 500,000 bags of coffee are ready for shipment to the United States, requiring 10 steamers during the next six weeks.-[Report of U. S. commercial attaché, Jan. 12, 1919, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 28, 1919, p. 417.]

Japanese Colonization and Development.

By a decrée issued December 11, 1918, the Vice President of Brazil has authorized all Japanese international development to continue to operate in Brazil. A commission has been organized to engage in immigration and colonization projects, and related maritime, industrial, and mineral industries. Its capital stock is about $4,500,000.-[Report of U. S. vice consul, Rio. de Janeiro, Dec. 14, 1918, Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Feb. 14, 1919, p. 735.]

Transition Economy.

BULGARIA.

Preparations are to be made for the organization of transition economy in Bulgaria by the creation of an autonomous bureau in the ministry of trade. To this bureau will be intrusted the task of organizing the economic life of the country during the transition