The London correspondent of the "Chicago Tribune" is responsible for a very curious story concerning Hugo Stinnes, Direc-for of German Commercial Intelligence, who made what is described as a "dramatic appearance' at a recent international conference of shipping representatives in London. The meeting had scarcely opened when the German magnate, who had not been invited, entered and announced thatvif he were excluded he would inaugurate a rate war, declaring that at the present rate of German currency and wages he could run his ships cheaper than any of those present. Then follows the still more extraordinary statement: "He was allowed to take part in the discussion, and at its close shook hands with a French delegate next to him, expressing the hope that he would see him at the next meeting in Hamburg." As a specimen of commercial humour the story may pass very well, but its news value is probably about one pfennig. Herr Stinnes may own Germany, but his pockets are scarcely capacious enough to hold the world's shipping. Incidentally, the French delegate referred to must have been charmed with the invitation to Hamburg.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.