The Washington herald., 1907-12-29
France and England Try to
0utwit Capitalists.
LIKE SITUATION IN BELGIUM
Present Legislation Regarded with
Dislike and Suspicion by Those
Whose Revenues Are in Jeopardy.
Many Persons Contemplating Re
course 10 Trips TO Foreign Lands.

the British government a reciprocal
measure for outwitting those capitalists
OF either nation who seek in foreign
residence a haven from succession duties
and income tax inquisitiOns has been
received in financial circles and by a
large section OF the press with irritation
modified by skepticism as 10 the work
able nature Of the scheme. Frances
present prosperity is based less on in
dustrial or commercial enterprise than
on a widespread system Of profitable in
yestment which has turned the French
into a nation Of capitalists. As the soul
Of the middle-class German yearns for
government employment with an Official
title, so the French bourgeoise comforts
itself with thrifty financial investments
which bring in a steady return.
The present legislation OF the French
government is naturally regarded with
dislike and suspicion By those whose rev
enues. large or modest, are in jeopardy.
the projected income tax legislation. with
inquisitOrial provisions such as are un-
known in Great Britain. has given a sig
nal OF alarm. and many persons seem 70
have been contemplating recourse 70 for
eign lands. Therefore. the news that
the government is making arrangements
with foreign countries TO extend its re-
trieving powers beyond the national from
tiers has caused considerable commOtiOn.
As regards succession duties. II is point
ed out that the British government viii
benefit 10 a degree altogether disprOpOr-
tiona5f. as compared with the French
government, in this quest after strayed
eXchequer contributions. because the
number Of wealthy Britons who end their
days On French soil is incomparably
greater than that OF rich French subjects
dying in England Concerning the in
come tax assessments. Il IS regarded as
certain that the British authorities would
never permit inqUisitoriaI proceedings.
such as the new French legislation fore
shadows. 10 be carried on under the
aegis Of the British laws
The Belgian authorities. when sounded
on similar point, have stOutIy declared
that French capitalists living IN Belgium
could never be subjected 10 proceedings
from which Belgian subjects were ex-
empt Skepticism. however. is as preva-
lent as annoyance and alarm in capitalist
circles; rightly or wrongly Mr.. CaiTIaux
IS regarded somewhat as a sheep in
VOLTS clothing Mature reflection may
show both parties whether the danger
lies more on the side Of the threatener
than Of the threatened.
A serious crisis. apparently owing 10
over production, has overtaken the mo-
tor-car industry in Germany. and in con-
necti0n with it a recent meeting was held
at the ministry OF the interior, which was
attended by representatives Of the gov
clubs, and Of motor-car makers. The
representative Of the government stated
that the stagnation IN the development
OF the motor-car industry. which was aG-
mitted on nearly all hands. had induced
the government 10 institute Inquiries
with a view TO aScertaiuinE whether any
thing could be done on the part Of the
imperial authorities 20 support the indus
Try, and what means could be employed
in order 10 find new markets for manu-
factUrers.
With this object the imperial Office for
internal affairs has drafted a series Of
questions which il Is proposed 10 put 10
motor-car manufacturers and 10 pu-vey-
Ors and manufacturers Of rubber. ben
zine. car frames. and raw material. Oues-
tons for each OF these groups Will re-
late 10 the year 1901. when the industry
may be regarded as at its commence
ment, and 10 the years 1893 and 1906
These questions were discussed by the
meeting, and several amendments were
proposed, and they are 10 be issued next
month. BY the express desire OF the
government the utmost secrecy is pre-
served concerning the nature 0f the
questions.
The Paris Temps. commenting after
long hesitation on the Spanish naval con-
Structon programme. recalls the remarks
made by a certain Spanish statesman q
few months ago: The Hague confer
ence Is about 10 open Britain proposes
the limitation Of armament by agree
meut. Not only shall We support that
proposal, but We shall associate ourselves
with II. The defeat Of the prODOssI is
certain, and it is on account Of that GER
tain defeat that the proposal is useful
20 US. because. when II has been reject
ed. we shall have perfect liberty 10 pro-
vide Spain with feet. which she lacks"
The Temps examines IN detail the con-
strucuon scheme, and observes: This
programme. according 10 expert opinion.
is well conceived. That which. for our
part. we above all wish 10 take note OF
IS the manner in which i has been voted.
The Spanish Cortes have gwen a magni-
hcent spectacle Of patriotic unanimity.
They have shown that they care for the
national needs and that they have no in
tention Of sacrificing the highest interests
of their country 10 electioneering con-
Siderations. One must extol their fore
sight II cannot be disguised that a. GER
tain WistfUlneSS mingles with these
praises when we think OF the fashion in
which the French Chamber, without dis
tinctiOn Of party. has treated military
questions these last few months
II is officially stated at johannesburg
that, with the object Of promoting the
production OF South African mealies and
their sale in European markets. the
Transvaal, Orange River Colony. and
Central South African Railways admins
tratiOn have entered into an arrange
ment with the Portuguese and Cape Col
ony governments, as from January 1
1908, fixed the maximum rate for the con
yeyance Of mealies for export over sea
at ten shillings per ton delivered to The
vessel.
PRODUCE MARKET.
Baltimore. Dec. 2s.-FoIlowing are the rrces
quoted at the principal commission houses.
BUTTER-Creamery, fancy. per pound 2slSa5o:
imitation. 2a23. Maryland and Psnnsylrania ron,
1-nn1 -#rra .-7-~.TL "A