ment, shows not only a considerably larger import trade into Belgium from France than from Germany or Great Britain but also a more rapid increase for the years from 1898 to 1912. Thus:

Belgian imports from France 1898,

12,000,000 £

Belgian imports from Germany

9,500,000 £

Belgian imports from Great Britain,

11,000,000 £

1912,

£36,000,000

£ 28,000,000

£20,000,000

Antwerp is the natural port for the Scheldt basin which runs back into France and is therefore intimately articulated with the great industrial area of north eastern France. This creates an economic relationship between France and Antwerp which even Germany cannot boast. Furthermore, it is evident that a removal of the discriminating duties imposed by France upon imports via Antwerp would very soon increase the flow of French commerce landward through Antwerp to a stream quite as strong as that of Germany's.

In the matter of shipping, statistics seem to favor German ascendancy in recent years. But here, too, appearances are deceptive. Antwerp has been a port of call for the great ocean lines of the German companies, and as a consequence, tonnage under the German flag entered at Antwerp was as has been shown above, much more inflated than the British. The French because of governmental restrictions was almost negligible. British shipping at Antwerp was represented by a very large number of vessels of small tonnage of the tramp steamer variety, but whose trade was very real and substantial. Indeed, there was reason for the statement of a local commercial paper in Antwerp to the effect that German shipping increased the Belgium national statistics, while British shipping increased Belgium's national revenue.

On the other hand, it is only fair to say that German trade was gaining steadily. And since it was a trade so largely in the

hands of Germany's most powerful commercial corporations,

like the Hamburg American and the North German Lloyd Companies, it is readily seen that it would have a decided advantage over its rivals in the matter of securing shipping and port advantages. The pressure of these powerful organizations, intelligently backed by an imperialistic government that knew what it wanted, very naturally came to be a dominating influence in the management of the port.

As far back as 1906 Sir Cecil Hertslet, the British Consul General reported:

"The general geographical position of Antwerp is such that it is in the most advantageous situation for the export of goods from Germany and the whole hinterland of central and eastern Europe. A great part of the manufactured goods shipped from Antwerp is the product of German manufactories, and it is natural that such goods, which are conveyed to Antwerp for export by means of the numerous canals connecting Germany with Belgium, should be shipped on board vessels of the nationality of the manufacturers of the goods. There are, for instance, lines of steamers running from Antwerp to India of both British and German nationality, but the latter secure a considerable portion, if not the greater part, of the cargoes.

WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

What took place in Belgium during the four years of war and German occupation is a story of destruction and exploitation unparalled in history. The material losses alone, directly attributable to the enemy, according to the Belgian War Commission for the Estimation of Damages amounts, to over 72 billions of dollars. In one of Mr. Hoover's reports it is stated that between 35 and 40 of Belgiums 50 steel furnaces were destroyed. Machinery and equipment of the textile and other mills were systematically commandeered and carried into Germany according to a well developed plan by Germany's foremost industrial magnate, Dr. Rattenau. Cattle and horses were requisitioned along with regular cash levies. The latter amounted to a charge of $144 million annually. Antwerp contributed a yearly quota of $10 million. And to these exactions came the forced labor deportations, and the

deterioration of the productive capacity of the Belgian workman which it is impossible to estimate, but which must be reckoned in billions. The great trade of Antwerp was, of course, entirely destroyed.

In the face of such staggering losses a prompt revival of Belgian industry and trade was impossible. The productive powers of the country having been paralysed for four years long and patient care will be necessary to restore them to their former capacity and activity.

Following in the wake of the first enthusiasm after victory and the armistice, came a wave of gloom and depression. The Germans had gone but the normal life of the pre-war days was gone too. To the heavy toll in human lives was added the destruction wrought by the enemy in the devastated areas, the stricken cities and the ruined industries. Capital, credit and initiative in enterprise return slowly. Lacking these and the necessary raw materials Belgian industry with its wrecked plants could not get under way. Hence during the first month of 1919 Belgium could export to England only £597,ooo in value while her imports from England during the same period amounted to £4,667,000.

I

Finally after long and, to the Belgians costly, hesitation the Peace Conference recognized in part at least the priority claims of Belgium. She was allowed 22 billion francs to be paid by Germany by May of 1921, 40,000 head of cattle and 8 million tons of coal annually for 10 years along with regular cash levies. This furnished the necessary credit and encouragement. A domestic loan of 1 billion was subscribed for and a still larger loan obtained in the United States. Antwerp was selected by the British as the base for its army of occupation in Germany, and facilities for the importation of new products provided. The commerce of the past which was of course, entirely destroyed during the war is reviving. One of the most interesting development, appears in the inauguration of a purely Belgian overseas service known as the "Loyd Royal Belge" a whole fleet of ships having been built for Belgium during the war by Whitemarsh on the Clyde. On all sides the evidence of a

truly extraordinary revival of agriculture, industry, and trade is apparent. The crops for 1919 were good. The revival of industry for the first ten months of 1919 was remarkable; the output compared with the corresponding period of 1913 shows: coal mines, 94% normal; sugar refining, 100%; cotton spindles in operation, 75%; cotton looms, 60%; wool products, 75%; shoes, 70%; window glass, 34%; plate glass, 36%. Steel and iron industries recovered more slowly, only about 30% of the mills having resumed operations by November of 1919. Belgium is not only "coming back," but doing so with increasing momentum. In no other country is the progress of economic reconstruction going on so rapidly and so efficiently. The people have turned to the heavy task with great zeal and energy, while wise leadership is laying its foundations broad and deep. Belgian industry and commerce are again becoming important factors in European trade, and it is a matter of sincere gratification to all who have the welfare of Belgium at heart-and that means everybodythat Antwerp is destined not only to regain her pre-war prosperity, but to attain that pre-eminence and leadership vouchsafed her by nature among the seaports of the European continent.

SOME TRIUMPHS OF MODERN CHEMISTRY

By THOMAS P. MCCUTCHEON

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

During the past few years the influence of chemistry has been felt in so many phases of our life, giving rise to new, and a short time ago undreamed of, industries, improving and extending the old industries, giving new comforts in our homes, creating a new warfare, assisting the skill of the physician, that the interest of many intelligent people has been attracted to the science of chemistry. It is true that much of the popular interest in the subject is to be attributed to the applications of chemistry in the war. It may be well to point out that not many new discoveries were achieved in this period. The war chemistry was rather an application of facts, already known, to new purposes. The stress of war-time conditions is not conducive to research and discoveries. These flourish better in the tranquil atmosphere of peaceful times.

At the same time the chemist has felt it increasingly necessary to have the sympathetic and intelligent interest of the general public in his science, that men and women of high attainments may be induced to enroll themselves as students of chemistry and help to carry it to still higher levels; and that existing chemical knowledge may be helpful to as wide a circle as possible.

In view of these facts those who plan this series of lectures have asked me to state, as simply as possible, and avoiding technical language, what modern chemistry is, and to describe some of its methods and triumphs.

The fundamental concept of the chemist is the elements. They are the chemist's building stones. They are forms of matter which are not capable of further simplification. They number nearly ninety. Every compound has been made by