EXTRACTS FROM AND DIGESTS OF ARTICLES IN OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE PERIODICALS CONCERNING READJUSTMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

ALSACE-LORRAINE.

Civil Government under French Administration.

According to a decree of November 28, 1918, Alsace-Lorraine will be administered as follows:

Until the signing of peace, civil government remains under the direct authority of the secretary of the council of the war ministry, who, in so far as he may judge fit, shall delegate it to the under secretary of state.

A representative of each ministerial department (and, if necessary, in each ministerial department, a representative of each important public service) is temporarily appointed for the purpose of coordinating and controlling throughout the recovered territories of Alsace and Lorraine the operation of the services of the ministerial department which he represents; to provide for proper connection with the services of that department and to study the conditions of final administrative organization after the signing of peace. A Chief Council of Alsace-Lorraine will assist the under secretary of state, who is by right its president. It will be composed of the president and vice president of the Alsace-Lorraine Conference and the presidents of the six sections appointed by the decision of August 22, 1917, for the purpose of examining and studying the conditions of Alsace-Lorraine. [Temps, Nov. 28, 1918.]

Economic, Political, and Social Problems.

The economic, political, and social problems involved in the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine to France have formed the subject of a recent meeting of the Societé d'Economie Politique de Paris. The paper read before that society November 5, 1918, deals with the solu tion of the problems of citizenship and property, and those involved in the general adjustment of the economic life of the restored provinces to France.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 21, 1919, p. 321.]

Potash Output Needed for France.

The United States War Trade Board has announced that France will be unable, at least until April, to ship potash from the mines of Alsace. The entire output will be urgently required for agricultural purposes in France. Under the most favorable circumstances no Alsatian potash will be available for agricultural uses in the United States before June, 1919.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 25, 1919, p. 385.]

ARGENTINA.

Agricultural and Live-stock Development.

A large banking and investment company has been engaged in Argentina by the Swift packing-house interests which promises to take an active part in the agricultural and live-stock development of the country. It will engage to a great extent in the financing of cattlemen along the line of the cattle-loan companies in the United States. [Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Sept. 12, 1918, p. 971.]

Shipbuilding, Encouragment of.

On August 31, 1918, the President of Argentina submitted to Congress a project of law relative to the encouragement of shipbuilding, in order to augment the mercantile marine of that nation.-[Commerce Reports, U. S. Dept. of Commerce, Nov. 8, 1918, p. 530.]

AUSTRALIA.

Disabled Soldiers, State Help for.

Amended regulations issued under the Australian soldiers' repa triation act provide that a State board shall not grant loans for a longer period than 10 years. Where a borrower who has obtained a loan from the Government is unable to repay the amount due from him, a State board may write off the whole or any portion of the amount, but if the sum exceeds 100 pounds, it must be referred to the minister of repatriation for determination. Where soldiers with dependents are under treatment in hospitals, or institutions after discharge, they or their dependents may be given sustenance granted at a rate which will bring their incomes up to rates presented in regulations, which rates vary from 2 pounds 2 shillings to 3 pounds 2 shillings and 6 pence. Where it is necessary for the establishment in civil life of a returned soldier, a State board may make a loan up to 35 pounds for the purchase of furniture. In case where a soldier has land, but is not eligible to receive financial assistance under a State settlement scheme, a State board may advance by way of a loan amounts up to 50 pounds for the purchase of material, plants, and seeds. [Argus, Melbourne, July 5, 1918.]

Discharged Soldiers, Land for.

In Victoria a number of properties have been purchased and negotiations for other purchases are in progress, according to announcements by the minister of lands, for soldier settlers. A visitor to some of the soldier settlers reported that they appear to be contented and to be making a success of their rural life.-[Argus, Melbourne, July 6, 1918.]

Returned Soldiers' Political Federation.

The returned soldiers' political federation has been formed by the affiliation of the soldiers' political parties in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The general secretary said the platform provided for voluntary reinforcements, destruction of pro-Germanism and disloyalty, elimination of exploitation, solution of war and repatriation problems, construction of mercantile marine, strategic railways, and of numerous air fleets, supplemented by adequate naval and military measures, electoral reform, elimination of party strife, restriction of borrowing, legislation to deal with menaces to public health, and other planks. The federation could not affiliate with existing political parties, but would cooperate with them to achieve common aims.-[Courier, Ballarat, July 6, 1918.]

Soldiers' Widows, Assistance for.

The minister of repatriation stated that soldiers' widows are now eligible, according to their circumstances, to receive grants for furniture, loans for the purchase of business establishments, assistance towards the transfer of onerous mortgages on homes, rental allowances, vocational training with sustenance during the period of training, and allowances for the care and education of children. These benefits are not bestowed indiscriminately, but with proper regard to the necessities of the individual. [Argus, Melbourne, July 11, 1918.]

Land Settlement, Advances for.

The South Australian system makes advances to soldiers up to 600 pounds for purchasing residences. This grant is withheld to unmarried men and to those with an income of 300 pounds per annum. Where land is bought with a view to building, it is stipulated that not more than 100 pounds can be paid for the site.-[Argus, Melbourne, July 12, 1918.]

Discharged Soldiers, Land for.

The minister for lands of New South Wales said that he would deal with the scheme for settling soldiers on the land on the principle of giving to each man an area sufficient to provide a living for himself and his family.-[Daily Telegraph, Sydney, July 13, 1918.]