called the phosphorus processes, there are known to have been since the establishment of the Special Rules in 1893-4, 24 cases of phosphorus necrosis." The reported cases of anthrax increased from 17 in 1896 to 23 in 1897. "Fourteen were connected with the handling of hides and skins, and nine with wool-sorting. The former industry has (since the close of 1897) been certified by the Secretary of State under s. 8, 1891, and Special Rules are being prepared. Special Rules for wool-sorting were issued during 1897, and served upon the occupiers of all works in which the sorting of the dangerous kinds of wool and hair named in the Rules was known to be carried on." Children and Young Persons.-In 1897 85,491 children were examined for halftime employment, an increase of 562 (1,009 more boys and 447 fewer girls) upon the corresponding numbers in 1896. The rejections were 1,571, as compared with 1,694 in 1896, constituting about 1.8 per cent. of the number examined. "It is to be remembered that children may be passed over and over again for half-time employment in different factories, and again for full time employment as young persons, and entered each time on the list, and further that the rejections are often temporary. Hence the apparent discrepancy between the annual additions to the number of halftimers and the actual half-time population as shown by the Annual Return of persons employed. In 1895, for example, it appears that 63,078 children were employed in factories, and 79,257 were passed by the certifying surgeons-figures which at first sight suggest that the average factory halftimer remains only about ten months at work in that capacity. There are no trustworthy statistics upon this, but although there is certainly decrease in the number of half-timers (notwithstanding the increase in the number of recruits), and coincident decrease has been observed by some certifying surgeons, in the numbers entering at the earliest age permitted by law, yet the average duration of half-time employment must be considerably greater than that indicated above. The number of "young persons" under 16 examined for full-time employment in factories during 1897 was 281,690, an increase of 1,536 (1,361 more boys and 175 more girls) over the total for 1896. The rejections were 3,098, or 1.1 per cent., as compared with 3,400 and 1.2 per cent. in 1896. The considerations noted above with reference to the statistics of half-timers apply to some extent to young persons also. The Annual Returns, which do not distinguish between those entering under 16 (requiring, therefore, a medical certificate) and those entering at ages over 16 (requiring no such certificate), show that in 1895 there were 635,547 young persons employed in factories; and the certifying surgeons in that year passed 237,910 persons under 16 for full-time employment. These data tend to show that a person beginning full-time work in a factory before 16 years

of age will, on an average, continue in factory employment for about 27 years before reaching the age of 18; but here the calculation is further impaired by the uncertainty as to the numbers entering at ages above 16 and not included in the available lists of recruits." There is a continued decrease in the demand for half-time labour in factories.

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

Report for 1897.-Revenue, £12,970; expenditure, £13,636. No public debt. Imports, £63,286, chiefly from United Kingdom, and partly with South America. Exports, £125,153, chiefly wool and skins, sheep farming being the sole industry. "The Colony, despite its solvent and prosperous condition, affords no inducement to capitalists desirous of opening up new industries nor to intending immigrants. There is already in the Colony more than sufficient labour to meet the demand, which is stationary, and is a diminishing rather than an expanding quantity. No land remains at the disposal of the Crown, and intending settlers must make terms with private holders."

FASHODA. (See EGYPT: VALLEY OF UPPER NILE.)

FIJI.

Report for 1897.-The revenue for 1897 was £74,491, and the expenditure £73,231. The public debt stood at £213,256, of which £97,536 was due to the Imperial Govern

ment.

The imports were £248,748, and exports £431,860. "Over 90 per cent. of the total trade of the Colony was transacted with the three Australasian Colonies of New South Wales, New Zealand, and Victoria, in the proportion of 43.9, 36.8, and 14.2 per cent., respectively. But, as a matter of fact, many of the importations are of German origin, and it is noticeable that within the last few years there has been a steady increase of the following made in Germany' articles-i.e., prints, glassware, sewing machines, and enamelled ware."

FLASH POINT. (See PETROLEUM (SELECT COMMITTEE).)

GAMBIA. (See AFRICA.)

GERMAN COLONIES.

Report for 1897 by the Embassy at Berlin.-Of the 3,913 Europeans in German Africa 2,182 were Germans. The military force was 962 German officers and men, and about 2,850 coloured soldiers, besides police. The area of the German possessions in Africa is given as 820,648 square miles. The expense to the home Government was estimated for 1898-99 at £461,000, and £17,000 deficit carried over from 1895-96. This is an increase of

£59,000 over the State subsidy of 1896. The statistics of trade in German African colonies are as follows:-Total imports £1,111,000; total exports, £547,718. Of this, 42 per cent. is with Germany. Great Britain and her possessions have a large share in the trade of the German colonies. Almost all the exports of South-West Africa went to England, and a quarter of the imports came from British territory. Nearly half the goods imported into East Africa came from India, and the greater part of the exports went to Zanzibar for transhipment. "The German colonies are still in the condition of an investment which is not yet paying full interest. This is due to the large sums now being expended on the plantations in which the trees have not yet begun to bear. It will be necessary to wait some years before a final judgment is possible as to the success of the experiment." In Togoland there were 102 Germans-107 Europeans in all, of whom 30 were officials, 42 missionaries, 28 merchants and 7 planters and explorers. In the Cameroons the whole population was 253 (including 31 English and 19 Americans). Of the total 28 were officials, 54 missionaries, 81 merchants and 24 planters. In East Africa the whites were 922-586 on the coast and 336 in the interior. Germans numbered 678, of whom 342 were officials. There were 261 missionaries, 85 traders, 61 planters, 106 white women, and 23 children. Gold has been found south of the Victoria Nyanza. The discovery of coal near Lake Nyassa is important (see last report). The beds have been carefully surveyed. These appear to be some six yards thick and of fair quality; also some bituminous coal. The coal at Lindi turns out to be of slight value. A later report states that the gold discoveries are regarded as of great importance. A commission has been sent out, with the result that there are good reasons to believe in the existence of gold-bearing strata along nearly the whole of the western boundary of the protectorate. A road has been constructed from Mombo,near Masinde, to Kwai, in order to open up that rich tableland. This road has been designed for wheel traffic, in spite of the considerable ascent (3,000 feet). From Mombo to Muhesa, the terminus of the Usambara Railway, road construction presents great difficulties, owing to the torrents that have to be bridged. A beginning has also been made with roads from Dar-es-Salam to the interior, and in improving the caravan tracks. In the Governor's opinion the opening of roads is a principal condition for the prosperity of the country. German capital is being freely invested in the country. German South-West Africa. — The white population consisted (1 January, 1897) of 2,628 souls, of which 1,221 were German, 113 Boers, 97 English, 89 from the Cape. Of the 1,221 Germans, 880 were officials, officers, or soldiers, 109 colonists, 128 labourers and artisans, and 80 merchants. Kiao-chou (See China).—The sum

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66

of £250,000 was granted for the expenses of getting up the administration during 1898-99. Herr von Bülow, in a speech made before the Reichstag, reserved the liberty of action of the Government as to the imposition of duties, but expressed the opinion that the German Government would, in its own interest, place Kiao-chou on the footing of a free port. The port, which is ice free, would be the natural winter port of Peking if it were connected by rail. The chief difficulty is the bridging of the Hoang-ho. The climate is good and the garrison is very healthy. The great advantage possessed by the place is the proximity of the coal-fields. These are situated at Weihsien and Payshan, less than 100 miles from the port, with which they are to be connected by rail, and by agreement with China they are to be worked by German capital. Professor von Richthofen, who examined the coalfields, says of them, that the coal is mostly black shining coal, burning with a clear bright flame, making excellent coke.' Capital will be necessary to work the fields, as the beds lie low, and heavy pumping will be needed. There is no point in South or East Asia where such good coal is situated so conveniently for shipping." German New Guinea (administered by a private company) contains in the Eastern District 147 whites, of whom 62 are Germans, and in the Western (Kaiser Wilhelmsland) about 56, of whom 53 are Germans. Negotiations were on foot for the transfer of the administration to the Imperial Government, Marschall Islands.-White population 74, of whom 43 are Germans. Possibilities of development are very limited.

GERMANY AND NIGERIA. (See AFRICA GERMAN CLAIMS.)

GOLD COAST. (See AFRICA.)

GREECE AND TURKEY (Peace Negotiations). (See TURKEY AND GREECE.)

INEBRIATE REFORMATORIES.

General Regulations. The model regulations, issued by the Home Office under the new Act, providing for the compulsory detention of convicted inebriates, declare that an application for a certificate for an Inebriate Reformatory shall be deemed to be an undertaking on the part of the managers to feed, clothe, maintain and employ any person who may be committed to their care with their consent for the period of his sentence, subject to the regulations approved for their Institution. Yearly statements of receipts and expenditure are to be submitted to the Home Office, which is to be notified also of changes in the principal staff. The Super

intendent is to reside in the Reformatory, and a number of provisions are laid down for his guidance in the exercise of executive responsibility. The Medical Officer is to have the general care of the health of the inmates, to visit the Reformatory at least once every day and see each inmate at least twice a week. He is to oversee the sanitary arrangements, inspect the food and be responsible for the segregations of cases of infectious disease. The regulations for officers of the Reformatory are as follows:Every officer of an Inebriate Reformatory shall be a total abstainer from intoxicating liquors. No officer shall at any time receive any money, fee, or gratuity of any kind for the admission of visitors to the Reformatory or to its inmates, or from or on behalf of an inmate, on any pretext whatever. Female inmates shall in all cases be attended by female officers. A male officer shall not enter a Reformatory or division of a Reformatory appropriated to females, except on duty, nor unless accompanied by a female officer. It shall be the duty of all officers to treat inmates with kindness and humanity, to listen patiently to and report their complaints or grievances, and at the same time to be firm in maintaining order and discipline, and enforcing complete observance of the regulations of the Reformatory. The great object of reclaiming the inmate should always be kept in view by all officers. It shall be the duty of every officer to direct the attention of the Superintendent to any inmate who appears to be out of health, although the inmate does not complain, or whose state of mind appears to be deserving of special notice and care, in order that the opinion and instructions of the Medical Officer may be taken on the case. Officers shall at all times carefully watch the inmates in their various movements and employments, shall give the necessary directions thereon, and shall use the utmost alacrity and vigilance to promote industry, and to maintain order among them. They must remember that kindness and tact will be more effective than coercion in maintaining discipline and reforming character. officer shall not strike an inmate, unless compelled to do so in self-defence. In any case in which the application of force to an inmate is needful, no more force than is necessary shall be used. An officer shall not inflict any punishment or privation of any kind upon any inmate unless ordered by the Superintendent. Minor offences by officers shall be dealt with by the Superintendent under the orders of the managers. Any officer who: (1) Mutinies or incites to mutiny; (2) Violently assaults an inmate; (3) Wilfully aids or permits an inmate to escape, or attempts to do so; (4) Introduces, or attempts to introduce, intoxicating liquors into the Reformatory; (5) Is, even to the slightest extent, under the influence of drink whilst in the execution of his duty, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £20, or to be imprisoned with or

An

without hard labour for a period not exceeding three months." The provisions regarding the employment of inmates declare that "inmates accustomed to work of a superior kind should, whenever practicable, be encouraged to follow their ordinary vocations, and any money earned by the sale of their work should, after deducting a reasonable sum for their maintenance, be available for the support of their families, or for other suitable use. An accurate account of the earnings should be kept, and assignment of the sums to be allotted (1) for maintenance; (2) to the inmate for his own use; (3) to the inmate's family, or otherwise, should be made in each case, and notified to the inmate, who should have a right of appeal to the Secretary of State. The scheme should specify what comforts (e.g., tobacco, extra clothes, books, &c.) may be purchased by an inmate from that part of the earnings assigned to himself." Visits to inmates shall be made within the sight, but not within hearing of the officers. Every letter to or from an inmate may be read by the Superintendent, and if objectionable shall not be forwarded; but letters addressed to the Secretary of State shall be forwarded unopened. The Superintendent alone is to award punishment, and only after the person charged has heard the charges and made defence. All punishments are to be entered in a book. In bad cases offenders are to be brought before a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, and for certain defined offences shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £20, or three months' imprisonment with or without hard labour. "The strait-jacket shall be the only mechanical means of restraint used in the Reformatory; and it shall be used only to prevent an inmate from injuring himself or others. The particulars of every case shall be forthwith entered in the Superintendent's journal, and notice forthwith given thereof to one of the managers; and no inmate shall be kept under mechanical restraint without the approval of the Medical Officer (except in cases of urgent need), nor for longer than the Medical Officer thinks necessary. When so restrained an inmate shall be seen by an officer at least every half-hour." The instructions respecting applications for certificates provide for the submission of all plans, &c. "The plans must exhibit:(a.) Adequate and separate accommodation for dormitories, day-rooms and workshops. (b.) Proper infirmary accommodation for the treatment of cases of illness. (c.) The associated dormitories for healthy inmates should allow a floor space, when open, of 50 square feet to each bed, with a height of 12 feet. If divided into cubicles, there should be a floor space of 60 feet. Single rooms should have an area not less than 63 feet. The space in the dormitories and single rooms of infirmaries should be not less than one-third larger than these dimensions. Associated bedrooms should contain at least three beds. Separate

sleeping-rooms should be provided for all inmates whom it is not desirable for medical or special reasons to place in association. The system of cubicles is undesirable." The number of inmates should be not less than 25. "Men and women will not be allowed to be received in the same establishment unless there be absolute separation of the buildings and grounds used by them, whether for residence, work, or recreation."

JAMAICA. (See WEST INDIA COMMISSION.)

JAPAN.

Patents, Trade-Marks, and Designs. Protocol Between Great Britain and Japan. London, October, 1897.-Article I.

Her Britannic Majesty consents to renounce all extra-territorial jurisdiction at present exercisable by British Courts in Japan for the judicial hearing and determination of matters in difference between British subjects and subjects of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, or for the repression of crimes or offences committed by British subjects, in so far as it applies to the protection of patents, trade-marks, and designs." Article II.-Foregoing is not to take effect until all other Powers enjoying similar benefits to those under the Treaty between Japan and Great Britain of July 16th, 1894, shall similarly have renounced their rights.

Treaty of Commerce: Great Britain and Japan. Signed at London, July 16th, 1894. As this Treaty comes into force on July 1, 1899, five years after the date of signature, and as it profoundly modifies the status of foreigners in Japan, a record of its chief provisions is a necessary supplement to the information given in the Commercial Section. Article I. declares:"The subjects of each of the two High Contracting Parties_shall have full liberty to enter, travel, and reside in any part of the dominions and possessions of the other Contracting Party, and shall enjoy full and perfect protection for their persons and property. They shall have free and easy access to the Courts of Justice in pursuit and defence of their rights; they shall be at liberty equally with native subjects to choose and employ lawyers, advocates and representatives to pursue and defend their rights before such Courts, and in all other matters connected with the administration of justice, they shall enjoy all the rights and privileges enjoyed by native subjects. In whatever relates to rights of residence and travel; to the possession of goods and effects of any kind; to the succession to personal estate, by will or otherwise, and the disposal of property of any sort in any manner whatsoever which they may lawfully acquire, the subjects of each Contracting Party shall enjoy in the dominions and possessions of the other the same privi

leges, liberties, and rights, and shall be subject to no higher imposts or charges in these respects than native subjects, or subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation. The subjects of each of the Contracting Parties shall enjoy in the dominions and possessions of the other, entire liberty of conscience, and, subject to the Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations, shall enjoy the right of private or public exercise of their worship, and also the right of burying their respective countrymen according to their religious customs, in such suitable and convenient places as may be established and maintained for that purpose. They shall not be compelled, under any pretext whatsoever, to pay any charges or taxes other or higher than those that are, or may be, paid by native subjects, or subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation. Article II.-The subjects of either of the Contracting Parties residing in the dominions and possessions of the other shall be exempted from all compulsory military service whatsoever, whether in the army, navy, National Guard, or militia; from all contributions imposed in lieu of personal service; and from all forced loans or military exactions or contributions. Article III.-There shall be reciprocal freedom of commerce and navigation between the dominions and possessions of the two High Contracting Parties. The subjects of each of the High Contracting Parties may trade in any part of the dominions and possessions of the other by wholesale or retail in all kinds of produce, manufactures, and merchandise of lawful commerce, either in person or by agents, singly, or in partnerships with foreigners or native subjects; and they may there own or hire and occupy the houses, manufactories, warehouses, shops, and premises which may be necessary for them, and lease land for residential and commercial purposes, conforming themselves to the Laws, Police and Customs Regulations of the country like native subjects." The Article provides for like freedom of navigation. Article IV. declares the inviolability of dwellings, manufactories, warehouses and shops of the subjects of each of the Contracting Parties, subject to the laws of each country. Article V. "No other or higher duties shall be imposed on the importation into the dominions and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty of any article, the produce or manufacture of the dominions and possessions of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan from whatever place arriving; and no other or higher duties shall be imposed on the importation into the dominions and possessions of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan of any article, the produce or manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, from whatever place arriving, than on the like article produced or manufactured in any other foreign country; nor shall any prohibition be maintained or imposed on the importation of any article, the produce or manufacture

of the dominions and possessions of either of the High Contracting Parties, into the dominions and possessions of the other, from whatever place arriving, which shall not equally extend to the importation of the like article, being the produce or manufacture of any other country. This last provision is not applicable to the sanitary and other prohibitions occasioned by the necessity of protecting the safety of persons or of cattle, or of plants useful to agriculture." Article VI.-"No other or higher duties or charges shall be imposed in the dominions and possessions of either of the High Contracting Parties on the exportation of any article to the dominions and possessions of the other than such as are or may be, payable on the exportation of the like article to any other foreign country; nor shall any prohibition be imposed on the exportation of any article from the dominions and possessions of either of the two Contracting Parties to the dominions and possessions of the other which shall not equally extend to the exportation of the like article to any other country." Article VII. "The subjects of each of the High Contracting Parties shall enjoy in the dominions and possessions of the other exemption from all transit duties, and a perfect equality of treatment with native subjects in all that relates to warehousing, bounties, facilities, and drawbacks." Article VIII." All articles which are or may be legally imported into the ports of the dominions and possessions of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in Japanese vessels may likewise be imported into those ports in British vessels, without being liable to any other or higher duties or charges of whatever denomination than if such articles were imported in Japanese vessels; and reciprocally, all articles which are or may be legally imported into the ports of the dominions and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty in British vessels may likewise be imported into those ports in Japanese vessels, without being liable to any other or higher duties or charges of whatever denomination than if such articles were imported in British vessels. Such reciprocal equality of treatment shall take effect without distinction, whether such articles come directly from the place of origin or from any other place. In the same manner there shall be perfect equality of treatment in regard to exportation, so that the same export duties shall be paid, and the same bounties and drawbacks allowed in the dominions and possessions of either of the High Contracting Parties on the exportation of any article which is or may be legally exported therefrom, whether such exportation shall take place in Japanese or in British vessels, and whatever may be the place of destination, whether a port of either of the Contracting Parties or of any third Power." Article IX.-"No duties of tonnage, harbour, pilotage, lighthouse, quarantine, or other similar or corresponding duties of whatever nature or under

whatever denomination, levied in the name or for the profit of the Government, public functionaries, private individuals, Corporations, or establishments of any kind, shall be imposed in the ports of the dominions and possessions of either country upon the vessels of the other country which shall not equally and under the same conditions be imposed in the like cases on national vessels in general or vessels of the most favoured nation. Such equality of treatment shall apply reciprocally to the respective vessels, from whatever port or place they may arrive, and whatever may be their place of destination." Article X.-"In all that regards the stationing, loading, and unloading of vessels in the ports, basins, docks, roadsteads, harbours, or rivers of the dominions and possessions of the two countries, no privilege shall be granted to national vessels which shall not be equally granted to vessels of the other country; the intention of the High Contracting Parties being that in this respect also the respective vessels shall be treated on the footing of perfect equality." Article XI.— "The coasting trade of both the High Contracting Parties is excepted from the provisions of the present Treaty, and shall be regulated according to the Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations of Japan and of Great Britain respectively. It is, however, understood that Japanese subjects in the dominions and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, and British subjects in the dominions and possessions of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, shall enjoy in this respect the rights which are or may be granted under such Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations to the subjects or citizens of any other country. A Japanese vessel laden in a foreign country with cargo destined for two or more ports in the dominions and possessions of Her Britannic Majesty, and a British vessel laden in a foreign country with cargo destined for two or more ports in the dominions and possessions of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, may discharge a portion of her cargo at one port, and continue her voyage to the other port or ports of destination where foreign trade is permitted, for the purpose of landing the remainder of her original cargo there, subject always to the Laws and Custom House Regulations of the two countries. The Japanese Government, however, agree to allow British vessels to continue, as heretofore, for the period of the duration of the present Treaty, to carry cargo between the existing open ports of the Empire, excepting to or from the ports of Osaka, Niigata and Ebisuminato." Article XII.-Relieves vessels in distress from payment of dues in any harbour, &c., in which refuge may be taken, and stipulates that all proceedings relative to salvage shall be in accordance with the laws of the Contracting Parties. Articles XIII., XIV., XV. and XVI. relate to subsidiary matters of navigation. Article XVII. provides that