Further, there exist eloquent. figures to'show that Germany is anything but land of riches and luxury. In Prussia, the largest and most industrialized' state of Germany, the consumption of meat in 1926 was only 45.3 kg. per hend as compared with 64.2 kg. in 1913; in other words, the consumption of one of the most' important foods, pecially for a manufacturing population, is now only 83.3 per cent. of the ' pre-war figure. Moreover, the consumption of rye receded from 153 ko. per head in 1913/14 to 114.5 kg. in 1925/26 and the con-
By Da Oskar Wicex sumption of wheat from 95 leg. to 74 kg. Beer, the national beverage of the German, is drunk in consider ably smaller quan the war; whereas, in the Germany of 1913, the average por eapitn was 102 titres, it is estimated at only 80 res for 1926; while the consump ion of wine has dropped by 50 por cent, The former consumption of tex tile goods was ranch greater than the present. Per head of the: population, in 1913, 7 kg. was bought; but in 1926 hardly Since it is well known that ands of the masses for a higher standard of living have risen eon siderably in post-war years, it may, easily be imagined what an ite creased consumption of mass arris cles—especially foreign produets—would be possible if the purchasing: capacity of the German people could augmented, id If, under the Dawes Plan, the reparations are tobe paid, "they must be paid ut the expense of the workmen's standard of living. This means an enormously reduced purfthasing power on the part of Ger-nian, with corresponding detriment, to the foreign producer, particu larly to the foreign farmer. The German workman is no exception ta the rule that people like to be well fed and well clothed; but, as things stand, his wishes must remain une fulfilled Dwindling Bank Deposits The deposits in the German sayings banks totalled in August, 1927, 42 milliard marks; in 1913" they: aggregated 17 milliards. If i be remembered that, in consequence of the general rise in the price of come the mark has only about purehnsing power it pos: sessed before the war, it will be soon, that the real value of the present saving bank deposits is only 2 milliards as compared with tha former 17, These facts will suffice to demon-state the superficiality of the sumption that there exists a high standard of living in Germany; lucky a view can only be formed by theca who judge moxoly from the sights presented in the streets of Berlin, Cologne or Munich—sights which are just as characteristic of Paria jand London, or Buenos Aires and New York, "But that sounds just like an exchange shop, Mother."
"That is what-it is called. Damiu; still think they stand for a but it is really the elaboratory of guarantee, Mother." the modern alchemist."
"You're wrong, Damiu, you're "But Mother, an cleboratory wrong." implies some obscure and subtle pro-"How am I wrong, please, cess, does it not?"
Mother?"
"What of it?- Do you think that such is lacking, Damiu?"
"In this way, Damiu. Suppose "Surely, they can have nothing Mr. Him Fine Banker, after execut-archer Mother. It must be elaborate as the ancient superimposes hig intials—if. F. alittle gem in colour en brass,
much si Nov, so nrtatie fe lis work that you "Even 50, it is none the less don't notice anything wrens 'Until effective, my son. coos for chopping' the coins, Take the pro-fours later when i appears Uh you are permanently saddled with instance." work og a memento."
What happens then, Mother?"
A CitiNese convicted of murder and armed robbery in Chapei was. executed on Tuesday, Ar interest has been aroused ly amongst Chinese in Shang-the game of chess. Matches were played betwoon members of the Chinese Y. M, C, A., Nanyang College, and the Commercial Press and "attracted well over 1,0C0 spectators. to the Y, MO. auditorium, "The Y. M, C. A: drew: with the Nanyang' chess players, each scoring a victory, but lost to the Commercial Press' representa tives by two games to nil, "There is little or no alchemy about that, Mother."
"Don't fool yourself, Damiu. There is more in it than the ancients "Do explain yourself, Mother.
"You've seen how the exchange shop keeper puts his initials on coins, haven't you?'
that's to guarantee isn't it, Mother?"
"That is what he would have one believe, Damiu; but one is never certain if the initials, 'J. C," for instance, stand for a Chinese name or for joke coi "But where does the alchemy persisted the youngster.
"Why, child, don't you realize that it took the olden alchemists sometimes two years to convert a bit of brass into silver, while a modern one does it in two minutes by means of a little blue ink or had not thought of that, Mother: bit why docs he add his initials?
Sit ig just like an artist signing. by, you go back to his shop.
the matter, show him the and demand" that he, make claiming tnt. you got the He at once denies his in
work of art from Hoo Foo Bunk, and that you had best apply to that gentleman for redress."
"But surely there are alchemists who do not deny their signature, Mother."
"What of it, Damiu? Even if Mr. Him Fine Bankei's chop is authen tie, Mr. Hoo Foo Bunk will not recognize it because of a family feud of long years' standing.'
"Then how docs one get the better of these alchemists, Mother?"
"One doesn't, Damiu. One can only shut one's eyes and pray for Gex. Chiang structed the financial authorities to raise sufficient funds for the anti Northern campaign as soon as possible, because he is. waiting for those to arrive before issuing an order for
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.