fires of myriad furnaces but drive the ships of a mighty marine. Through
her control of coal England has one whip hand over her allies, for many
of the French mines are in the occupied districts, and Italy's supply
from Germany has stopped. Coal means life in war or peace. Now England
proposes a state control of coal similar to that of railroads.

It spells fresh power over the neutral shipping that coals at British
ports. If the government controls the coal it will be in a position to
stipulate the use that the consumer shall make of it, and require him to
call for his return cargo at specified ports. Such supervision in war
may mean similar domination in peace--another bulwark for British
control of the sea.

Throughout England all trade facilities are being broadened and
bettered. The local Chambers of Commerce, whose chief function for years
was solemnly to pass resolutions, have stirred out of their slumbers.
The Birmingham body has formed a House of Commerce to stimulate and
develop the commerce of the capital of the Midlands.

This stimulation at home is accompanied by a programme of trade
extension abroad. The Board of Trade has granted a licence to the
Latin-American Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, formed to promote
British trade in Central and South America and Mexico. Sections of the
chamber are being organised for each of the important trades and
industries in the kingdom, and committees named to enter into
negotiations with every one of the Latin-American republics, where
offices will be established in all important towns.

The Board of Trade has also learned the lesson of co-operation for
foreign trade. As one result, British syndicates, composed of small