ICELAND.

State Monopoly on Tobacco.

According to the Icelandic Telegraphic Bureau, the Alting of Iceland has passed a bill providing for a State monopoly on the sale of tobacco.

INDIA.

Regulations for the Government Purchases of Supplies. The following are the rules by which, the Government of India is required to make its purchases for the public service.

(1) All articles produced in India in the form of raw material or manufactured in India from materials produced in India should, by preference, be purchased locally, provided that the quality is sufficiently good for the purpose and the price not unfavorable.

(2) Subjects to the condition that the price is as low as that at which articles of similar quality can be obtained through the India office, all articles manufactured in India from imported materials should by preference be purchased in India.

(3) Articles not manufactured in India should be obtained by indent upon the store department of the India office unless the articles are already in India at the time of their order and their price and quality are not unfavorable as compared with those at which similar articles could be obtained through the India office. In the case of important construction works, let out on contract, articles not manufactured in India required for the construction of such works may be supplied by the contracting firm provided that the firm is approved by the Government of India.

(4) The following articles, whether manufactured or produced in India or not, should be purchased in India provided they can be obtained at a not unfavorable price. (a) Those of a perishable nature: (b) explosives: (c) block tin. (d) wines and spirits and English bottled beer for the use of Government hospitals in India (e) Kerosene oil; (f) materials for electric installations intended to take current from existing centers and small electric power and lighting plants of not more than 25 kilowatt capacity, which involve the provision of generators and cables for distribution: (g) Australian timber: (h) Australian copper: (1) Italian marble: (j) British Columbian timber: (k) plant and materials for small gas installations; (1) cheap articles in common use required in small quantities only: (m) such other classes of articles as may from time to time be prescribed by the Government of India.

A number of Government officers are authorized to obtain direct from manufacturers or dealers in England, America, Japan, or other foreign countries such articles as they may require for experimental or research purposes. ITALY.

Increase in Postal Rates.

According to statements appearing in the public press on January 24, 1921, a decree was approved on that date by the council of ministers providing for an increase in postal rates, both foreign and domestic, as well as increases in telegraph and telephone rates.

Foreign rates are revised as follows: Letters, from 0.25 to 0.60 lira; post cards with paid answers, from 0.25 to 0.80 lira; registered letters, from 0.40 to 0.60 lira.

The supplementary tax on foreign telegrams sent from Italy will be increased from 300 per cent, the present level, to 350 per cent, effective March 1, 1921.

Removal of Exchange Restrictions.

The Government has decided to abolish immediately all restrictions on foreign exchange transactions. The activity of the National Institute of Exchange will be limited to securing exchange for Government payments.

Foreign Banks in New Territory.

La Gazzetta Ufficiale of April 28 sets forth the regulations governing the opening of branches of foreign banks in Provinces acquired by Italy as a result of the war. An office of a nonItalian bank may be opened in this territory only by permission of the Ministry of the Treasury. The application for this permission must be accompanied by a copy of the act by which the bank was incorporated, and also by a statement of the capital which is to be employed by the proposed branch or branches in Italy. The officers, directors, and managers of the proposed branches must be named at the time of making applications.

Abolition of Commercial Monopolies.

The commercial monopolies have been abolished by a decree published July 6, 1921. The monopoly on coffee, coffee substitutes, and electric lamps was abolished in April, 1921. Manufacturing taxes will replace the monopoly rights on coffee substitutes, electric lamps, and matches, with a stamp tax to replace the monopoly on playing cards.

The new trade-mark law of Japan provides for the registration fee of 30 yen, which covers a period of 20 years, with a renewal fee of 50 yen. (Yen equals $0.4085.) A collective trademark may be registered by an organization of persons in the same business, or by business men intimately connected, with the object of promoting the common business interests of the members of the organization. The registration fee for collective trade-mark is 100 yen, with a renewal fee of 150 yen.

A trade-mark is canceled when not used in the Empire for a year after registration, or when its use has been suspended for a period of 3 consecutive years. The trade--mark right in a trade-mark which has been registered as a foreign trade-mark is terminated when the trade-mark right in the home country is terminated. Penalties are provided for fraudulent use of trademarks.

LATVIA.

Postal and Telegraph Convention with Russia.
See "Russia" below.

Increase in Railway and Postal Rates.

The government announced further increases in postal and railway rates. On the railways the passenger rate has been increased 50 per cent and the freight rate 100 per cent. The postal rates have been approximately doubled; the foreign rate is now 10 rubles per twenty grams, first class matter and domestic rate is raised to 5 rubles; local first class mail now cost 2 rubles per 20 grams.

Exchange Operations Require Permit.

A recent law by the Constituent Assembly provides that exchange operation can not be carried on as a business except by special permission of the Minister of Finance. Banking institutions which are authorized by their charter to engage in business of this nature are exempt from this provision of the law.

All exchange operations are subject to the following tax: Exchange operations by banks, one-quarter per cent; by exchange offices, I per cent; by private parties, one quarter per cent.

Foreign Insurance Companies Prohibited.

By a decree dated March 7, 1921, issued by the Minister of Finance, foreign insurance companies are prohibited from carrying on operations in Latvia. LUXEMBURG.

Government Control of Breadstuffs to End. Announcement is made by the Government of Luxemburg that it will be able to dispose of its stock of grain purchased in the United States for the people of the Grand Duchy by next August, and that at that date Government control of the supply of breadsuffs will cease.

MEXICO.

Moratorium Regulations in Yucatan.

The moratorium law was passed by the legislature of Yucatan on February 26, 1921. The law in brief provides that payment of principal and interest on all debts contracted before February 26, 1921 shall not be collectible until March 1, 1922: that obligations shall pay not over 6 per cent interest without regard to the amount of interest contracted for. Further more, the law states that the moratorium shall not apply to Federal, State, or municipal taxes; nor to debts in behalf of schools and charitable institutions; nor to amounts due laborers, public or private employees, professional men, and teachers for services rendered, etc. Any attempt to collect a debt included in the moratorium shall be punishable by a fine equal to three times the amount of the obligation.

Priority Rights on Patent and Trade-marks.

By a Presidential Decree of June 22, 1921, published in El iario Official for June 23, all petitions for recognition of priority rights relative to patent or trade-marks on which the normal terms for registry, fixed by law, have expired, presented by Mexicans or citizens or subjects of foreign countries, shall be granted such recognition during the time that other countries have made reciprocal concessions to Mexican citizens on account of property to which these concessions refer, it being understood that such countries and terms shall be among those included in the decree of October 18, 1916.

The recognition of the priority which emanates from the dispositions dictated or put into effect September 1, 1920, and after this date, can not be validated against the rights of:

The possessors of a patent or of the partial rights derived therefrom, acquired six months previous to the applications for a patent on which priority has to be conceded after expiration of the normal period, and as within a period of three months from the legal date of the patent, provided the possessor had asked for and obtained in favorable acceptance the examination to which Article 36 of the law refers:

Those who, having patent rights, had engaged in Industrial or commercial exploitation (or had made the necessary preparations for same) six months previous to that referred to above, which might remain in conflict with the rights acquired by a patent whose recognition of priority had been made after expiration of the normal time.

Recognition of the priority which emanates under equal conditions to those set forth above, and in virtue of the extension of the time period determined in Article 8 of the Trade-mark Law, can not be validated against the possessors in good faith of an identical or similar trade-mark deposited six months previous to the presentation of the application of registry of the mark by one to whom priority has to be conceded.

New Commission for the Henequen.

El Diario Official of July 18, 1921, publishes a law putting the old Commission Reguladora Del Mercado de Henequen into liquidation and establishing a new Comision Reguladora. The main provisions of its law are as follows:

A moratorium of 10 years is declared on the old Reguladora, whose obligations, bills, tickets, etc, are to be paid equitably and in installments of 10 per cent a year, with 3 per cent interest on deferred payments.

The directors are authorized to deal with and dispose of all assets of the old Reguladora to obtain funds to pay its obligations.

The new Reguladora, which is an official branch of the State government, is to promote the industry by maintaining prices and developing new uses and markets. PARAGUAY.

New Meat-Packing Law.

A new law has recently been enacted by the National Congress, granting certain privileges and exemptions to meat-packing plants, which either are already established or which may be established. The law will continue in force for five years and provides for the free entry of machinery, tools, fixtures, and other materials necessary for buildings and installations, and materials for packing meat products; exemption from all navigation taxes and port dues and dock dues for the shipment of goods, except when Government docks are used; and exemption from State and municipal taxes.

Inspection of Banks and Corporations.

An important provision in the annual budget of Paraguay for 1921 was that authorizing the President to appoint a commission of inspection for banks and corporations that will have the power to exercise control over such institutions and to propose to the President a law that will regulate them. PERU.

New Banking Decree.

The Government has issued a decree limiting the annual interest charged on industrial loans to 12 per cent and to ro per cent on banking loans.

Partial Moratorium.

A Government decree has been issued stating that debts owed banks and banking houses are collectible at maturity in installments of 10, 20, and 30 per cent at expiration of 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively, with renewal of remainder on like terms.

New Customs Regulations.

The Minister of Finance of Peru promulgated a decree on April 20, 1921 reducing the time of deposit of merchandise in the warehouses of the customhouse of Callao to six months. The warehouse charges will be as follows: (a) I per cent of the value of the duties for each one of the first two months or fraction thereof. (b) 2 per cent for each of the third and fourth months or fraction thereof: (c) 5 per cent for each of the fifth and sixth months or fraction thereof.

These regulations will be effective for all goods entering the warehouses on or after May 1, 1921.

New Mining Regulations.

Two regulations governing mineral concessions have recently been enacted in Peru. One of these decrees prohibits the grant

ing of any petroleum concessions until after the National Congress passes the new petroleum law which is pending, as the present regulations may impede the enforcement of the provisions of the new law. The other decree governs the denouncement of mine concessions in the districts contiguous to those of Huancane. POLAND.

Regulations for Transit of Foodstuffs.

Polish Government will permit free commerce and transportation through Poland of all agricultural products except sugar and spirits. All restrictions against the importation of food products of prime necessity are abolished, except for fiscal and customs regulations. The exportation of foodstuffs and their by-products beyond State boundaries is forbidden, except at such times as Poland may have an exportable surplus.

Foreign Postal Tariff.

The official Government journal, Monitor Polski, publishes new postal rates for Poland, in which is included the following schedule for foreign postage:

Letters: Below 20 grams-10 marks; Each additional 20 grams 6 marks; Post cards: Single-4 marks; With answer8 marks; Printed papers-Each 50 grams-2 marks; Commercial Papers: Each 50 grams-2 marks; but nothing less than-10 marks; Samples: Each 50 grams-2 marks but nothing less than -4 marks; Registration of letters-10 marks; Receipt-10 marks; Payment for claim-10 marks.

Official Action on American Remittances.

The Polish Minister of Finance officially informs that hereafter American banks operating in remittances to Poland will be treated like Polish banks which are subject to the law of March 23, 1920 (placing the permit, conditions, and regulations for operation under special control of the Minister of Finance).

The Minister now is not willing to conclude new agreements with independent banks, but he does not intend immediately to revoke the provisional agreements already existing with American banks, regulating their remittance activities in Poland.

The agreement with the Guaranty Trust Co., and the Polish Syndicate will compel the liquidation in the near future of remittance activity by representatives in Poland of foreign banks who are operating without permission from the Polish Government. Commercial Agreement With Hungary.

"Kurjer Warszawski" of March 24, 1921, announced that an agreement relative to the reciprocal interchange of merchandise was signed between Poland and Hungary during the first part of February, 1921.

Free Trade in Oil

The Minister of Commerce and Industry of Poland announces freedom of trade in oil from September 1, 1921. Suspention of Tonnage Dues.

See "Danzig" above. RUMANIA.

Commercial Treaty with Poland.

The commercial treaty recently concluded between Poland and Rumania allows Poland port rights in one of the Rumanian ports, together with transit rights which practically amount to direct transit of Polish goods, in closed cars, through Rumania. The Polish Government is allowed one year within which to designate a port. The treaty was signed on July 1, 1921. RUSSIA.

Mail and Cablegrams from U. S.:

Official notices from the Postmaster General, under date of April 20, 1921, and from the Postal Telegraph Co., of April 27, announce the reopening of mail and telegraphic communication between the United States and the Russias under certain re strictions.

Mail for Russia in Europe and for Russia in Asia (except Vladivostok and eastern Siberia-Far Eastern Russian Republic) will be accepted only in the form of unregistered letters and post cards, and will be dispatched to New York for inclusion in the mails to London. Mail for Vladivostok and the Far Eastern Russian Republic will be accepted, both registered and unregistered, in the form of letters, post cards, printed matter, samples of merchandise, and commercial papers conforming to the Postal Union postage rates, conditions, and classifications for dispatch to San Francisco or to Seattle and inclusion there in the mails to Vladivostok.

Messages to be sent by the Postal Telegraph Co. must be written in English, Russian, or French and will be accepted only

24

at the risk of the sender. Russia declines to answer inquiries and will give no attention to requests for information. Claims can not be considered.

Baltic Postal and Telegraph Conventions.

A provisional postal and telegraph convention has recently been concluded with Russia by both Latvia and Esthonia. The provisions provide for communications to be sent between both provinces and Russia by mail and by telegraph but, prohibits the transfer of money by either mail or telegraph.

SPAIN.

Weight Limit for Transit Parcel Post Packages.

A royal order of February 2, 1921, published in "La Gaceta de Madrid" for February 5, provides for a gross weight limit of 10 kilos per package for packages in transit through Spain via parcel post, provided that each shipment does not exceed 20 kilos gross weight.

Extension of Period for Registration of American Patents.

A royal decree was signed extending until September 3, 1921, the time limit for presentation for registration in Spain of United States patents which had not expired on August 1, 1914, while for patents originating after that date the terms for payment of fees and other requirements for the maintenance of these patents will be extended to March 3, 1922. This extension will be granted on condition that the United States applies to Spain the benefits established by the Nolan Act of March 3, 1921. Parcel-Post Agreement with United States.

A parcel-post agreement between the United States and Spain was published on July 21, 1921.

Extension of Period for Registering Patent Medicines.

A Spanish royal order has extended the time limit for registration of foreign pharmaceutical specialties, provided for by the regulations of March 6, 1919 By. these regulations all foreign pharmaceutical specialties should have been registered in Spain by March 31, 1921. This time limit has now been extended to March 31, 1922. During this period those specialties which were on sale before March 6, 1919, may continue to be sold and may be registered upon payment of double taxes, the payment of the single tax being reserved for new specialties. SYRIA

Prospecting and Concession Permits

a

According to circular (No. 119) issued in Beirut, January 6, 1921, by the acting French high commissioner, with regard to permits for prospecting and mineral concessions, the mineral regime in the Syrian territories under French mandate is still governed by the Ottoman law of March 26, 1906, with certain restrictions. For instance,all concessions granted since October 29, 1914, are canceled. No new concessions can be granted without a special authorization from the High Commission of the French Republic. Permits to prospect will be delivered only to persons or societies who will produce sufficient guaranty for issuing the national exploitation of the concession to be granted thereafter. Such permits are valid only for one year, but may be renewed by the High Commission.

TURKEY.

Taxes Imposed on Foreigners at Constantinople. The allied high commissioners have decided that the allied subjects residing in Constantinople should not be exempAccordted from the payment of certain municipal taxes. ingly the inter-allied police have been instructed to see that municipal taxes are paid equally by all foreigners and to give the local authorities such assistance as is necessary for the enforcement of their collection.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Custom Tariff Board.

The Minister of Mines and Industries, as Acting Prime Minister, announced in Parliament on April 7, 1921, that the Government had decided to appoint a customs tariff board.

The new board would be composed of not more than five members. One member would be the Commissioner of Customs, another the scientific and technical adviser of the Department of Industries, the others to be appointed by the Governor General.

The function of the board will include the hearing and examining of complaints as to the actual working of the

customs and excise tariffs, advising the Government regarding the adjustment of anomalies, the steps necessary to assist in the development of industries, and further such other matters as may be referred to it by the Government. In making its investigations, the board is to consider, so far as possible, prices and costs of raw materials, costs of production, transportation, labor conditions and other factors that enter into industrial and commercial problems.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Parcel Post Agreement with Spain.

See "Spain" above.

Extention of Period for Registration of Patents.
See "Spain" above and "Yugoslavia" below.

Landing and Operation of Sub-marine Cables.

By an act of May 27, 1921 no person is permitted to land or operate in the United States any submarine cable directly or indirectly connecting the United States with any foreign country unless a written license to land or operate such cable has been issued by the President of the United States. Any such cable now laid may continue to operate without such license for a period of ninety days from the date of the act. The President may withhold or revoke such license when he shall be satisfied after due notice and hearing that such action will assist in securing rights for the landing or operation of cables in foreign countries, or in maintaining the rights or interests of the United States or of its citizens in foreign countries, or will promote the security of the United States, or may grant such license upon such terms as shall be necessary to assure just and reasonable rates and service in the operation and use of cables so licensed, but the license shall not contain terms or conditions granting to the licensee exclusive rights of landing or of operation in the United States.

The President is empowered to prevent landing of such cable without license and the offense is punishable with a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year or both.

Suspension of Tonnage Dues.
See "Danzig" above.
VENEZUELA

Parcel Post Changes..

The Postal Administ ation made it known that "war materials" should be added to the list of articles specially prohibited in the parcel-post mails to Venezuela. It was also stated that any number of packages desired might be received by the same person in Venezuela by the same steamer, provided the weight of each package did not exceed 5 kilos (11 pounds.)

YUGOSLAVIA

Increase of Postal Rates.

Beginning with April 1, 1921, postal rates on mail matter destined for foreign countries were increased, as follows: Ordinary letters, up to 20 grams, 1 dinar, each additional 20 grams, one-half dinar; ordinary post cards, one-half dinar; printed matter, one-fifth dinar per 50 grams. Registered mail matter cost 1 dinar additional.

Prohibition of Commercial Codes Modified.

The Minister of the Interior has modified recent order relating to commercial codes. Commercial firms of good standing may send telegrams in cipher provided they each request a special authorization therefor from the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs, and send with the request a copy of the commercial code which they intend to use for their telegrams as well as a list of the towns from which they desire to send their telegrams from several towns in Yugoslavia, such firm is required to send to the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs with its request as many copies of the code which it intends to use as there are telegraph offices through which it intends to send telegrams.

Extension of Time Limit for American Patents. The time limit in Yugoslavia for priority rights for application of patents, the rights of which had not already expired on August 1, 1914, as well as for those the rights of which began on August 1, 1914, has been extended for the benefit of the citizens of the United States until September 3, 1921, by a decree of May 17, 1921.