The explanatory circular accompanying the Decree states that, since the promulgation of the Workmen's Accident Compensation Law of January 31st, 1900, more than two millions of pesetas ($386,000) have been paid as compensation in respect of accidents to insured workpeople.

New Tariff in Germany.

The most important factor that is likely to materially affect the manufacture of rubber goods in Ger. many in the near future is the new tariff, which increases the duties on various classes of rubber goods and will affect to an important degree competition from foreign countries. The most radical advances in duties relate to woven goods containing rubber and textiles, the duty being raised from $21.42 to $23.80 per 100 kilograms (220.46 pounds), except when silk is used with rubber, in which case it was raised to $42.84, and on rubber shoes, the duty on which is raised from $9.52 to $16.66 per 100 kilograms for uulacquered shoes and from $14.28 to $23.80 on lacquered shoes.

The new German tariff will not go into effect before new commercial treaties are negotiated with foreign powers, and if these treaties fail to secure satisfactory conditions for the export of German rubber goods the product manufactured for export will be sold in Germany and will, it is feared, seriously congest the whole market, as in certain lines of goods-especially in belting- the inland trade is not large enough to give sufficient work to all factories.

French Skilled Workmen for the United States.

The usual number of buyers for the American market of Roubaix during the past year made purchases in amazons, zebelines, voiles, and novelties in wool and wool and silk. Manufacturers seemed desirous of selling, even at small profits, in order to give employment to their workmen, who might otherwise seek other fields of activity. Nearly 2,000 skilled hands have left Roubaix-Tourcoing for the United States during the past year. Many of these are now employed in factories established in the United States by manufacturers from this district. - W. P. Atwell, Consul, Roubaix.

German vs. American Labor Conditions.

A German economist, Professor Jastrow, has written an essay in which he deprecates the exist ing feeling of fear of and dependency on the American banking and industrial market by the investing, commercial, and manufacturing circles of Germany, which, says the professor, gives Germany the appearance of being a dependency of the United States. He augurs a bright future for German industries resulting from the amicable relationship existing between German workingmen and their employers, whereas he points to the dis. astrous consequences threatening American indus tries from the gigantic strikes and lockouts so frequently occurring in the United States. - Simon W. Hanauer, Deputy Consul-General, Frankfort.

American Tobacco Trust in Germany. Since the American Tobacco Trust gained a footing in the German home markets by buying out some of the leading cigar and cigarette factories and retail stores for the sale of the American product, the German cigar and cigarette manu. facturers and other commercial bodies fear that

the capitalistic and manufacturing power of Amer ica will monopolize many industries-including the retail trade-of Germany.

The Industrial Association of Saxony lately ad dressed a communication to the Chamber of Commerce of Berlin, in which it sharply criticized the impolitic action of the chamber for having, in answer to an inquiry addressed thereto, expressed a favorable opinion on the quality of the cigarettes sold on the German market by the Jasmatyi firm, one of the branch factories of the American Tobacco Trust. When the trust learned of the opinion expressed by the chamber of commerce, it was not slow in publishing the indorsement of this high German authority, hence the displeasure of the Saxon association. - Simon W. Hanauer, Deputy Consul-General, Frankfort.

Population of the German Empire. The latest statistical estimates for the German Empire place the population on July 1, 1903, at 58,549,000, against 57,708,000 and 56,862,000 on July 1, 1902, and 1901, respectively. From these figures, it appears that the population has increased 841,000 or 1.46 per cent, in the last year, while the increase of 1902 over 1901 was 846,000 or 1.49 per cent. The Census of December 1, 1900, showed a population of 56,317,178. Thus according to official estimates, the increase in two and one-half years is 2,180,000. In the last ten years the population has increased 7,800,000; in the last twenty years, 12,500,000; and since the formation of the German Empire, 17,500,000.- Richard Guenther, Consul-General, Frankfort.

Labor in New Zealand.

The total persons working in 7,802 factories in New Zealand for the year ending March 31, 1903, numbered 59,047, of whom 44,413 were males and 14,634 were females. - New Zealand Department of Labor-1903.

Labor in New South Wales.

All business, or nearly all, in New South Wales is conducted through "trade industrial unions." Up to March, 1903, 108 unions of employés and 82 unions of employers had been registered in the arbitration court. When a union has been duly registered it becomes amenable to the arbitration laws. The court consists of three members, one of which is a judge of the supreme court. All disputes between employers and employés that cannot be adjusted between the parties concerned privately are tried in this court, and its decisions are binding and final. Here wages, hours of labor, and holidays are adjusted. Each union makes its own laws for the government of its members, but on application for registration these laws are sub. mitted to the court, and registration may be refused on the ground of unsatisfactory laws. Once registered, no change can be made except by consent of the court. Each union, as I understand, makes and enforces conditions of membership and has power to reject for lack of qualifications. The length of a day's work has been fixed generally at eight hours and the minimum wage at 78. ($1.70) per day for common laborers, with half-day holi. days at expense of employers. If any employer requires more hours or less pay than has been fixed for that particular occupation he is liable to be fined, the arbitration court assessing the fine. United States Consul Baker, Sydney, New South Wales.

Labor conditions-German vs. American,

Labor considered in the latest reports of American statistical bureaus, list of subjects pertaining to

Labor day,

Labor disturbances in 1897, foreign

Labor in British mines and quarries,

Labor in Hawaii, organized

Massachusetts, 1903,

Nevada, 1903,

New York, 1903, .

Tennessee, 1901,.

Utah, 1903,

Labor legislation of 1897 relating to hours of labor and to the employ

Labor office in Italy, bill for creation of

Labor office in Italy, creation of

Labor organizations in Massachusetts,

Labor organizations in Massachusetts,

Labor organizations in New York, Laborers, city, pay of

Legacy taxes in 1900,

Legal labor decisions, recent:

Accident-negligence-proximate cause,

Alien-citizenship-immunities,

Building-contract-labor claims,

Constitutionality of eight-hour law,