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In the United Kingdom, trade and traffic generally have gone through 

 difficult and vexatious times within the past six months, and even at 

 present it does not seem as if they would be allowed to enter upon quieter 

 waters just yet. First of all come the troubles resulting from the con- 

 stitutional crisis (the question of the limitation of the Veto of the House 

 of Lords), which caused an embittered party-struggle lasting until almost 

 the end of August; next the prospect of internal feud consequent upon 

 the proposed granting of Home Rule to Ireland. True, the consummation 

 of this policy still lies in the dim future, but there is no doubt that under 

 the stress of it political rancour will be kept at boiling-point for some 

 months to come. Even before the coronation-festivities, which were cele- 

 brated with great pomp towards the end of June, the distant thunder of 

 an approaching storm could be heard, and it was only the energetic and 

 firm attitude of the great shipping-companies when confronted with a 

 general strike which kept the harmony of those festive weeks from being 

 disturbed by an outbreak of the revolutionary element of the populace. But 

 when, in the month of August, the long-threatening storm actually broke 

 and evil tidings flew across the land in quick succession, trade and in- 

 dustry found themselves paralysed in an incredibly short time. Railways 

 and shipping ceased working; London, the giant-metropolis, cowered for 

 days under the shadow of impending famine; conditions of downright 

 anarchy prevailed in Liverpool; Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds and other 

 towns were similarly afflicted; in short, in many places a state of things 

 prevailed which desperately resembled Revolution. For several days the 

 Government appeared to be absolutely powerless in the face of these 

 disorders. Factories and shops were demolished, goods-stations stormed 

 and set afire, police and soldiers maltreated with impunity; riotous ex- 

 cesses of all kinds were of daily occurrence. Everywhere chaos prevailed 

 until at last, after long hesitancy, the unchained passions were curbed 

 and the mob was brought to its senses by the energetic intervention 

 of the military power. For the time being the worst seems to have been 

 surmounted, but the inevitable after-troubles of such conditions are still 

 felt everywhere, and unfortunately the latest news is anything rather than 

 quieting. For the miners, numbering nearly a million, are now threatening 

 a general strike unless their demands are conceded in full. The Board 

 of Trade Returns for the month of August show a decline in imports of 

 € 1413314 and in exports of £ 2556183 as compared with the cor- 

 responding month of 1910. This decline is logically attributable to the 

 strikes. If, in conclusion, we add to this state of things the vexatious 

 condition of international politics, which of course reacts also upon 

 British trade, it is really astonishing that an industrial situation in- 

 volved in difficulties of such magnitude has shown no worse results, 

 so far as our branch is concerned, than has been the case in the period 

 under review. 



