192 [July, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
But the question had been determined in the Court of Appeal 
in the case of “Gordon v, London City and Midland Bank," 
and he thought that that decision must be taken as applying to 
all the defences raised. He was, therefore, constrained to give 
judgment for the plaintiffs. 
Insurance. — A decision of some importance has been given 
in Miller v. Law Accident Insurance Society, Ltd. " The 
plaintiff shipped a large number of bulls on board the 
s.s. Bellevue for carriage from Liverpool to Buenos Ayres, and 
insured with the defendants against the usual risks, including 
arrests, restraints, and detainments of princes and people. The 
Bellevue arrived on September io, 1900, and the cattle were 
inspected by the Argentine officials under a decree made a con- 
siderable time before the shipment, forbidding the entry of 
animals suffering from infectious diseases, or coming from 
countries where such diseases prevailed, with the result that 
they were rejected. The cattle were then taken to Montevideo, 
where they were sold at a considerable loss, and the plaintiff' 
thereupon brought an action on the policy. Mr. Justice 
Bigham gave judgment for the defendants, and said that the 
right to recover depended whether the loss was directly due to 
a “restraint of people.” In his opinion the loss was not so 
caused. The mere operation of an ordinary municipal law 
preventing the delivery of goods was not a “restraint of 
people ” withing the meaning of the policy. Those words 
meant the forcible interference of a State or Government, and 
did not extend to legal proceedings taking place in the courts of 
the country. 

BRITISH CONSULAR REPORTS. 
Germany (Baden). — In the report on the Trade and Agri- 
culture in the Grand Duchy of Baden for the year 1901, H.M. 
Consul states that the general interruption in the progress 
of trade and industry in Baden that made its appearance at 
the beginning of the year 1900, prevailed throughout the whole 
of 1901. In the spring there seemed some signs of improve- 
ment, but the prospect soon became overclouded again, and 
there was no relief. Commerce was manifestly suffering from 
the reaction invariably attendant upon a period of prosperity, 
and with the more severity owing to the previous “boom" 
having been so very great and prolonged, a period in fact so 
extraordinary that the turn of the tide upset all calculations, 
and took almost everybody by surprise. These apparently un- 
avoidable fluctuations, in place of reckless enterprise, enormous 
energy and activity, boundless aspirations, and absolute faith 
or credulity, the sudden change to overwhelming depression 
and apathy, and universal scepticism and suspicion, have as yet 
found no satisfactory explanation. The causes assigned are on 
the whole manifestly quite inadequate. Thus, the political events 
in 1901 were of no great importance. Under normal conditions 
the disturbances in China and the prolongation of the war in 
South Africa would hardly have influenced German trade, 
much less exercised the baleful effects ascribed to them. 
The invasion of Europe by American iron and steel which 
caused such sensation and alarm in 1900, dwindled, as 
regards Germany at least, to quite insignificant dimen- 
sions in 1901, and cannot be admitted in explanation. 
Whatever the cause may have been, for trade and industry 
1901 was a bad year. In previous years there had been an 
immense demand for goods of all kinds and descriptions, to 
meet which a very large amount of capital had been sunk in 
the various branches of production. The enquiry, however, had 
been over-estimated, and the rapidly-swelling production ac- 
cordingly found itself confronted first by a stationary and then 
by a diminishing demand, A collapse in prices of most articles 
followed, and since in the production expensive raw materials 
and dear coal had been employed, losses were heavy, and this 
disparity still to a large extent prevails. As a further element 
of insecurity there was the proposed new Customs tariff, and the 
doubt as to the possibility of renewing the treaties with other 
countries. The new tariff submitted by the Government to the 
Reichstag proved indeed to be of strongly protectionist char- 
acter, yet failed to satisfy the expectations of the majority, who 
are comparatively indifferent to commercial treaties, and who 
assert that German agriculture is being ruined, which, however, 
is denied by the commercial classes. 
Peru (Mollendo). — In a recent Consular report it is stated 
that the rubber industry still occupies a good deal of attention, 
and although the quantity shipped this year only exceeds last 
year's output by 15 tons, this is accounted for by the fact that 
large quantities are being prepared in the interior ready to ship 
when the dry weather sets in — from the beginning of April. A 
few remarks on the difficulties that attend this industry may be 
of interest. From the time of landing here, about 15 days will 
lie occupied in travelling by train, steamer, mule, and canoe to 
get to the rubber districts. The first range of the Andes has to 
be crossed at 17,500 feet above the level of the sea before the 
descent into the valleys can be effected. Sorata, in Bolivia, is 
the place at which nearly all the roads into the rubber and 
mining districts converge. The traveller will often be delayed 
for several days, as all the owners of beasts of burden take 
advantage of the scarcity of means of transport, and extort the 
highest possible freights for their animals. Once work has been 
started, the cheaper plan is to buy mules and horses. All sup- 
plies have to be carried in, as scarcely anything can be pur- 
chased there. However, stores are gradually being established 
on the different claims. The descent is very dangerous in some 
places, the incline being from 30 to 45 degrees, and the animals 
often slip and are thrown over the precipices. This part of the 
road, 23 miles in length, takes 12 hours, when Pararani is 
reached, 4,600 feet above sea-level. From Pararani to Mapiri 
the road is more practicable, and rubber, Peruvian bark, and 
coffee plantations are met. Mapiri is the centre of these regions, 
and from there one strikes off to wherever the claims may be. 
At least 90 per cent, of the travellers fall sick with malarial 
fevers, more or less intense, although seldom fatal. From 
Mapiri, Guanay is reached in canoes, or rafts, made of nine 
sticks fastened with vines ; three of these rafts form what is 
called a callopo, capable of carrying 1^ tons of cargo. The 
distance is 62 miles, and can be done in one day, going down 
stream, but coming back it takes three days, the current running 
six miles an hour. The Indians can only puli at the rate of 
miles per hour. From Guanay there are roads that lead to 
the placer mines on the rivers Tipuani, Covahuira, Challana, 
etc., in which regions gold is found in abundance, but machinery 
is badly required, especially to dredge the rivers. 
Portuguese East Africa (Lourenco Marques).— Accord- 
ing to a report just issued from the British Consul-General at 
Lourempo Marques, Delagoa Bay enjoys the unenviable 
reputation of being one of the most unhealthy places on the 
East Coast of Africa. Last year was nearly the worst on record 
as regards deaths, which were principally due to malaria, 
hemoglobinuria, and what is locally called “ pernicious fever ” ; 
phthisis in a small degree also figures in the official returns. With 
a view to ameliorate this condition various improvements have 
been made in the town. Among others in hand the local 
authorities have commenced filling up the Mahe Swamp, which 
extends for a considerable distance at the west end of the town, 
and penetrates into a portion of the inhabited part. This work 
has on various occasions been started, but it is only within the 
last few months that any useful work has been done. It is 
calculated that about 600,000 cubic metres of earth will have to 
be brought about three miles and dumped on the swamp. The 
month. It is expected that after this work is finished the health 
of the town will be greatly improved. The macadamising of 
the various roads is proceeding, though slowly. Owing to the 
topography of Lourenco Marques, much difficulty is experienced 
with regard to drainage, and. the municipality are now studying 
the question, and intend to improve the actual system prior to 
instituting a new one. The municipality are also discussing the 
advisability of constructing a refuse destructor. Up to the 
present the refuse is removed from the town, and then burnt, 
but this system is unsatisfactory, and in a climate such as this 
is not conducive to health. 
United States (Charleston). — The British Consul at 
Charleston, whose district embraces Carolina, Georgia, and 
Tennessee, says that it has been proved that a number of teas 
from different countries — Japan, China, Siam, and Formosa — 
can be grown with profit in South Carolina. Future experiments 
will probably continue along this line with a view of getting the 
greatest productiveness from the tea plant in the shortest time. 
An important point ascertained is that the tea bush can survive 
very cold weather. While it is undoubtedly better that it should 
be grown when the mercury does not go below 25 degrees 
Fahrenheit, yet in the frost of two winters ago the tea gardens 
were subjected to a temperature below zero, and suffered little 
injury therefrom. In the East, where tea grows naturally, the 
rainfall is from two to three times as much as in Carolina during 
the summer, which deficiency has been compensated for in the 
Carolina gardens by a system of irrigation. The careful labour 
needed in picking the delicate leaf has been provided by giving 
special school advantages to all the little negroes living in the 
vicinity who are willing to avail themselves of them, and these 
children are, during school hours, instructed in tea-picking, and 
during the tea gathering season they are given remunerative 
work. Experimenting in tea culture was begun at the Pinehurst 
gardens in 1891. From reports relative to this, the only tea 
farm in America, it appears that the most important result has 
been the distinction arrived at as to what will probably be the 
most profitable tea to cultivate in the country. The most 
common objection that has been raised to the establishment of 
an American tea industry has been the difference in the price of 
labour there and in the East, but, with a full appreciation of its 
force as applied to poorer grades, there seems to exist, says the 
Consul, a good profit in the production of those higher grades in 
whose cultivation cheap labour plays a minor paid. The American 
tea has also this further advantage, that the final drying of the 
leaf need not be carried to the same degree of heat whereby a 
sacrifice of much that is agreeable and beneficial in the flavour 
is entailed. The introduction of modern tea-making machinery, 
principally invented at Pinehurst, has improved the drinking 
qualities of South Carolina-grown black tea, and rendered 
entirely unnecessary the disgust so often expressed by Eastern 
travellers at the unstinted blending of human perspiration in 
the laborious manipulation of the tea in over-heated factories. 

FOREIGN CONSULAR REPORTS. 
Automobiles in Syria and Palestine.— The United States 
Consul at Beirut reports that enquiries about automobiles are 
being made in Syria. Only one specimen, an inferior second- 
hand French machine, has been seen there ; but it is thought 
that in Syria and Palestine, with their lack of railroads and 
street cars and their rapidly developing carriage road systems, 
automobiles would do well. A new road is now being built 
between Sidon and Beirut, and will soon replace the ancient 
bridle path. While this road will be level, others throughout 
this region are steep and make numerous sharp turns. Vehicles 
in use, therefore, must be strong aud durable. Between Haifa 
and Nazareth, the most satisfactory carriages employed in the 
tourist traffic are powerful, two-seated surreys made in Buffalo, 
N.Y. In these parts horses suffer greatly from the heat ; this 
difficulty would not apply to a machine. In Beirut alone, 
500 carriages are running, and hundreds more are in use in the 
Lebanon and in Palestine. The country is poor, and except 
possibly for the accommodation of tourists, there would not at 
present be much demand for automobiles outside of Beirut. 
The tourist has more than doubled in Syria during the last 
ten years. At present, about 750 foreign tourists pass through 
Beirut annually, most of them proceeding to Baalbek and 
Damascus. Twice this number go through Palestine. Galilee 
is also growing in favour among tourists. The figures given do 
not include pilgrims, thousands of whom seek the holy places, 
nor the special excursions which lately have come into vogue. 
Recently the Celtic was here with 820 American tourists, while 
the Augusta Victoria brought some 400, Among local physic- 
ians there is a growing sentiment in favour of the automobile. 
Diamond Fields of British Guiana. — The United States 
Consul at Denierara reports the outlook of the new diamond 
industry as very favourable. Ten men, at work for New York 
parties who located claims up the Mazaruni river a few months 
ago, recently collected in six weeks 8,227 small diamonds, 
weighing about 767 carats. The stones were valued at $9,600 
and were shipped to New York. Nearly every expedition that 
has gone up to the fields has found diamonds. It is not sur- 
prising, therefore, that local excitement is intense and that the 
discoveries have attracted the attention of the diamond interests 
of Europe and America. The route from Georgetown is up 
the coast 20 miles and then by steamer to Bartica, 50 miles up 
the Essequibo river. From there to San-San-Kopai landing, 
about 1^ miles above Putareng creek, on the left bank of the 
Mazaruni, the route is covered in smalt boats in the average 
time of fourteen days. The navigation of the river is difficult 
and dangerous, on account of the cataracts and rapids, and 
skilful boatmen are necessary. The principal diggings now 
being worked are 5 miles back from the river, and all provisions 
and supplies are carried there on the heads of labourers. Over 
1,200 of these labourers registered at the local department of 
mines this month and left for Bartica. Many of this number 
are doubtless destined for the placer gold-diggings of the 
Cuyuni and Puruni. There are about a dozen companies now 
in the diamond district, and new expeditions are being fitted out 
almost daily. Capital and mining experience will be needed to 
intelligently develop these fields and to provide adequate and 
safe communication with the seaboard. Manufacturers of 
structural material should closely observe conditions here, with 
a view to supplying the machinery and electrical equipments 
which will be required. For anyone having capital and inclin- 
ation to invest in a British colony now is a favourable time to 
consider the inviting features presented in the construction and 
operation of an electric or steam railway up the Mazaruni river 
to the heart of the mining district. Such an enterprise would 
be received locally with great favour. It has been discussed for 
a long time in connection with the development of the gold- 
fields and it is generally understood that, in view of the 
exceedingly small margin of profit in the sugar industry of the 
colony and its gloomy prospects for the future, steps should at 
once be taken to facilitate access to the interior. 
German Trade Methods in Chile. — The United States 
Consul writes from Antofagasta on March 9, 1902, in regard to 
German methods of securing trade in Peru, Chile and Bolivia, 
as follows “Thirty years ago, the trade coming to the Pacific 
ports was monopolised by the British and a few American 
houses. The Germans were represented only by jobbers and 
shopkeepers in the coast towns. The Germans, anticipating 
the importance of this trade, made well-conceived plans to gain 
it. They carefully trained a number of able young men. When 
these were versed in commercial affairs and in the language of 
the people among whom they were to live, considerable ship 
ments of goods were made to the British and American houses, 
and the young men found places as clerks, and were given special 
charge of these consignments. They remained there till they 
acquired a complete knowledge of the coast trade : then they 
were provided with ample funds and stocks, and opened German 
houses, with brilliant success. In many branches they now have 
a monopoly, and the British and American houses no longer 
attempt competition. The Germans not only established 
houses in the larger ports, but also agencies in the smaller ports 
and interior towns. Antofagasta is the port of entry and ship- 
ment for a large section of Bolivia. I n former years the trade 
of Bolivia was controlled by the wealthy British houses in 
Tacna, which had agencies in Bolivia. The American houses 
in Valparaiso also had a good deal deal of business in bark, etc. 
To-day, the Germans have it nearly all in their own hands. In 
the south of Chile German banks not only do most of the 
German business, but a good share of the local trade. The 
fine steamers of the Kosmos Company have extended their 
service to Central America and San Francisco. From this last 
port they fetch barley, flour, etc., and even lumber of certain 
qualities, to ports as far south as Callao and Iquique. We 
must follow German methods in foreign trade. Consuls, in 
their own special sphere, have done much, but United States 
exporters must not rely too much oh official representatives in 
extending commerce. The Germans have made progress, not 
through their Consular service, but through private enterprise. 
The occasional visits of commercial travellers can do some 
good, but can never develop important trade. 
Petroleum Springs of Central Asia. — According to a 
report by the French Consul-General at Moscow, published in 
the Moniteur Officiel du Commerce, the petroleum springs of 
the district of Ferghane have for some time attracted the 
attention of traders and financiers. The whole of this district 
is said to be rich in beds of naphtha that cause gaseous discharges 
more or less strong. The mineral oil is generally accompanied 
by a black bituminous mass which is suitable for the production 
of asphalte, and, moreover, has already been used to an extent 
by no means unimportant. The richest deposits are found 
chiefly in the district of Andichan, along the River Malu-Son, as 
well as in that of Marguelan (the deposits of Tchimione). The 
former have been worked since last summer. The Tchimione 
deposits situated about 27 kiloms. (i6£ miles) from the town of 
Marguelan, and 20 kiloms. (12 miles) from Wannovskai'a, a 
station on the Central Asian railway, appear to have been 
worked at a very early period, for the remains of a well may be 
seen there to which the natives attribute a Chinese origin. 
Shortly after the occupation of the district of Ferghane, some 
wells of 20 to 25 metres (65 to 82 feet) in depth, and ilj metres 
(5 feet) wide were stink, and produced an average of 1,600 
kilogs, (3,520 lb. ) of mineral oil per day per well. This oil, 
after being submitted to a very primitive distillation, was em- 
ployed for lighting the town of Marguelan, and for domestic 
uses. The absence of means of transport and the need of 
capital caused the working to cease, and about 1880, the springs, 
so to speak, fell into oblivion. But since 1898, the construction 
of a railway from Samarkand to Andichan brought new life to 
these wild regions. Some engineers became interested in this 
question, and their efforts were crowned with results so favour- 
able, that they resolved to try afresh the extraction by mechani- 
cal means. A society with a capital of 250,000 roubles (about 
^26,000) was soon formed ; apparatus and machinery were 
bought, labourers’ dwellings were built, and since April, 1901, 
the works have been proceeding successfully. A special pipe is 
also in course of construction to connect the naphtha springs 
with the station of Wannovskai'a, where it is proposed to build 
large depdts. The products, it is said, will find a sure and im- 
portant market in the Central Asian railway, and the line from 
Orenburg to Fachkente (in course of construction), both of 
which will consume great quantities as fuel. 
Window Glass in Japan, — The United States Minister at 
Tokio, in a recent report, states that after some discussion in 
the Japanese Diet in regard to the promotion of window-glass 
manufacture in Japan, the Government has decided to establish 
at the industrial experiment station a model factory, or technical 
school, for training workers in window-glass manufacture. 
Japan affords the necessary materials for this industry and the 
cheap labour, but lacks the skilled artisans necessary to make it 
a success. All of the window-glass now used in Japan is im- 
ported, and the market is an increasing one, since it is used for 
buildings of both foreign and Japanese style. The importation 
of window-glass in 1899 was valued at 1,250, 000 yen {£i2j,ooo\. 
Belgium furnishes the greater part of this import. It is 
estimated that a box of glass which now costs, imported,, 
7 to 10 yen (14s. 2d. to £\, os, 3d.) would, if made in japan,, 
cost about 5^ yen (ns. 2d.). It is expected that the factory, for 
which money will probably be appropriated at the next sessioni 
of the Diet, will be working in a year, and in the course of two- 
or three years will be able to supply enough skilled Japanese 
artisans to carry on the work in private factories. In the mean- 
time, one or two Japanese have been sent to Germany to study 
the art ; but it is probable that foreigners will be employed to 
teach methods, assist in the selection of machines, and in other 
arrangements for the plant. 
^ 
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE REPORTS. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
London, — The 20th annual general meeting of this Chamber 
was held on the 10th ult. , when, Lord Brassey (president), who 
occupied the chair, in speaking of the efforts of the Chamber to 
improve the administration of the Port of London, observed 
that capital had been wastefully applied in the construction of 
docks, some of which were badly situated and imperfectly 
equipped. The interests of the dock companies and the wharf- 
ingers were conflicting ; the working of lighters by men 
belonging to a close corporation was an antiquated system, ill 
adapted to deal with the vast demands of commerce in the 
present day. The management of the docks should be con- 
centrated as in Liverpool. It should be entrusted to a board, 
partly nominated, partly representative, and having ample 
resources at command for carrying out such improvements as 
might from time to time be necessary. All concerned were 
looking forward to the report of the Royal Commission, the 
publication of which could not be long delayed. Under Sir 
Albert Rollit and a committee the Chamber had taken com- 
mercial education in hand with conspicuous success. It was. 
not going too far to say that their work, begun thirteen years 
ago, was of national importance. 
Having dealt with the work of the Chamber in other 
directions, he proceeded to speak of the general trade of the- 
United Kingdom. The imports in 1901 were valued at. 
^522,238,986, and the exports of British and Irish produce and', 
manufactures at ^280,498,889. Imports increased by o‘2 per 
work is proceeding at the rate of about 30,000 cubic metres pet" 
