Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-31
GERMAN EXPANSION
REPORT FROM BERLIN ABOUT
SITUATION IN PACIFIC.
Special cabiegram to The Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
BERLIN. May 2s.-The Depeche Coloniale
publishes extracts from an Austrian let
ter on German commercial expansion in
the Pacific. The scientific organization OF
the Norddutscher Lloyd administration.
which enables IL to reap at all seasons Of
The year the maximum of profit with the
minimum of expense, Is dwelt upon by this
correspondent The two twin double
screw steamers stationed at Sydney, the
Prinz Waldemar and the Prinz Sigismund.
are serious rivals OF the steamers belonging
to local Australian companies in their re-
iation with the Melanesian archipelago.
At present the Australian continent is COM
pletely invested by the Germans, says its
authority. The Norddeutscher Lloyd Com
pany has now made contract with the
planters OF the islands of New Britain
and New Cleveland whereby 1t has obtained
for a period of five years the monopoly or
the transport of their copra and other
products. They have offered such low
freight rates that II would be impossible
for them to make both ends meet were 1t
not for the secret subsidy from the Ger
man government
The arrival of spring has this year been
accompanied by a more than usually vio-
lent outbreak of conflicts between employ
ers and employed In various branches OF
Industry. The statistics for the year 1905.
which are now available. show that the
strike movement tends to assume more and
more serious dimensions every year.
Average Number of Strikes.
The average number OF strikes for the
years 1899 to 1903 inclusive. was 1.2i2;
In 1904 it rose TO 1.s70. and in 1905 to 2.O57.
or such significance Is the increasing num-
Der of lockouts which show that combna
ton among employers Is also developing.
The number of lockouts. which averaged
only AZ for the period 1s99-1eO3. rose in
fDoi to 40 and In 1905 to 200. 1t Is ex-
pected that the figures for 1906 will show
q further considerable increase.
1t Is reported here that King Leopold
will seriously consider the question OF the
annexation by Belgium OF the Congo state.
This step appears to be the outcome of cue
reflection on the kings part to the best
means of carrying out the program of re-
forms now under consideration. and of re-
solving the questions of political order
which have frequently given rise to frlc-
ton with Great Britain and other sigma
tories of the Berlin act II is also stated
that the report that the king has opposed
a blank refusal 10 sign the reform COM
mittee's report is without foundation.
The situation regards the annexation
question may be summarized follows:
As the French right of presumption exists
only in the case of total liquidation" the
sovereign's formal Request at his death
OF the Congo state to Belgium stands I'M
challenged But the strong feeling enter
talneu Dy n certain SeCtlOn OF the Cnam-
Der against the responsibility OF accepting
the bequest led to the passing in 1901 of a
bill TO postpone the question-in other
words. TO secure the right of refusal by
formally renouncing reimbursement. both
as to principal and interest OF the various
loans made at different times to the Free
state. This arrangement is. however.
merely in the nature of safeguard In the
event OF the kings death.
In Favor of Annexation.
Subsequent discussions in the chamber
and the opinions of those entitled to speak
with authority points to the belief that
the balance of opinion is In favor of an
nexation. In the most notable work that
has yet been published on the Congo, just
ISSUED from the pen OF DR.. Vermeersch,
professor of law the author sums up both
sides of the question and argues for an
nexation, not only on patriotic grounds, but
for reasons Of practical order He also
points out that union need not imply any
abrogation of the kings present rights nor
active parliamentary act of 1885. Belgium
~colOuies and protectorates are subject TO
q special regime Should Belgium decline
the royal request the signatories OF the
Berlin act must settle the question OF Sue
cession. but this eventually appears too re-
mote to invite serious discussion.
Advices from St. Petersburg say that
twa Cossack regiments on their arrival
at Orenburg from the far east were dis
banded. but were informed that their serv-
Ices would be again required in one months
time for the work OF maintaining order at
home. In Roston also the Cossacks are
being convened for the protection of works
and mills in kief and for the policing OF
the province Of Orel. New cannon are
being placed on the walls of the st. Peters
burg fortress, and passersby are forbidden
10 stand near.