To the current issue of the Asiatic Review Dr. Cecile Rothe contributes the first instalment of a survey of the economic situation in the Nether-Jands East Indies. Before entering upon a detailed examination of the condition of the various industries, Dr. Rothe explains that the general economic depression has detracted from the interest formerly taken in Snterp il political movements in tha East Indies. The people have mirably adapted themselves to th? hard times undergone. The depres-son has given rise to unemployment among Europeans and Chinese and the Government has obtained large votes for relief, despite the fact that the Government's own finances hai sullered heavily. Drastic retrenchment has been effected and Dr. Rothe's observations suggests that the manner in which the administration: has faced the economic crisis Is highly creditable and has won an equally creditable ce-operation from all classes and communities, Holland has developed a colonial policy which has made possible for foreign capital to share in the development of the resources of the Netherlands Indies. Of "the estimated capital investment of Guilders 2,048 million the holding of Holland inves tors Is put at Guilders 1.583 million, British "at" Guilders 277 million, American at Guilders §3_ million, Franco-Belgian at Guilders 1055 million and Japanese at Guilders 205 million. The shipping of European goods has been Lampered by the flood of Japanese goods transported in Japanese ships. Dr. Rothe's study well worthy of perusal.and it mey be added that other articles in the Review. have special reference China, to Indo-China and to Japanese affairs,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.