Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-20

| ton is armed with power to deal with
| the moneys in such a way as to encour-
| age and assist local authorities and
voluntary associations of workmen in
| schemes of housing or other forms of i'm
/ provement. Thus large amounts are lent
/ to building societies. the rate of interest
charged being per cent, which is but
| little, if any. more than half of what
would be charged in the open market
The assurance acts now meet with gem
eral approval So much is this the case
| that proposals for unemployed assurance
! as we'll as other forms Of social service
| are often supported by reference to their
| success 1t seems quite possible and even
probable that the German government
may yet deal with unemployment as it
| has already dealt with invalidity and old
age And when unemployment becomes
a direct charge on the imperial excheuuer
steps may be taken to lessen it just as
steps have already been taken to lessen
the amount of sickness and the risk of
accident.
Planning for Exhibition.
lmre kiralfy. the general commissioner
and principal organizer of the Imperial
international Exhibition, to be held in
London next year, has come to Berlin
with the object of appointing agents and
paving the way for the participation OF
Germany in the coming show. During his
present tour he has visited Rome Milan
and Vienna, and on his way home will
spend some days in Brussels and Paris.
Before he came there was some talk
in the German press of the possible par
ticipation Of this country in the scheme.
In addition to the advantages likely 10
appeal to Germany, as we'll as to other
countries participating. MIR. Kiralfy has
mentioned feature which is likely TO
increase the attraction of the project
both for exhibitors and the public This
iS of rndp Of lao
health and pleasure resorts throughout
the new world and the old, arranged in
sequence. which will, doubtless, form a
magnificent display. in which the diff
ferent countries Will vie with each other
in models, panoramas, dioramas, etc
This epitome of beautiful scenes some
of which are already promised. will he
arranged in such way that the visitor
walking from one end to the other OF
this section will have acquired a basis
of comparison which, 1t is hoped, will
stimulate pleasure and health resorts to
compete more successfully with their
continental and other rivals.
Protest Against Export Duty.
According to a Hamburg journal
public meeting was held last week at
Luderitz bay In order to protest against
the sudden and inconsiderate" action
of the German colonial authorities in
imposing an export duty of $3.50 carat
upon diamonds. The meeting authorized
the dispatch of kilograms Of protest 10
Prince Buelow and to the national liberal
leaders. The message in which the i'm.
dignation of Luderitz Bay is conveyed
does not appear to be calculated to in
spire confidence in the prospects of the
new German diamond field. 1t Is stated
that while appropriate ad valorem
duty would be justified, the duty accord
ing to weight of $3.50 carat "chokes q
poisoning industry. prevents new enter
prises and makes the sale Of a large part
of the yield impossible. since Its value -
less than $3.50 carat"
The rumored purchase by British COM
pany OF the German southwest African
diamond fields at Kolmanskop for $6O0.
600. which is said to have aroused great
indignation in the protectorate. Is here
declared to be rather improbable, as the
German diamond polishers would be dis
appointed in their expectation Of lucrative
employment.