National.

Three important recommendations will be embodied in the forthcoming report of the Commissioner General of Immigration, as follows: That a law be enacted requiring medical inspection of emigrants at points of embarkation in Europe: that the Chinese Exclusion Act be strengthened by the assignment of American officials to duty at American consulates in China, empowered to examine the certificates of all persons who desire to visit the United States: that appropriations be made for the erection of additional buildings and providing better facilities for the reception of immigrants at Ellis Island, New York.

General Greeley, chief signal officer of the United States Army, has received the first telegraphic message ever sent direct from Nome, Alaska. It marks the inauguration of the Government wireless line from Nome, 107 miles, to St. Michaels. He reports that the line works perfectly. From St. Michaels the message came by the wire line up the Yukon to Dawson and thence to Seattle, traveling 3,500 miles.

The United States transports Kilpatrick and Sumner sailed last week from the Charlestown Navy Yard for Porto RicoviaPhiladelphia, bearing the party of nearly five hundred Porto Rican teachers who came five weeks ago for a course of study at Harvard and Cornell.

Foreign.

The United States, through Minister Leishman at Constantinople, has demanded the same favored treatment in Turkey that is accorded other most favored nations in the matter of schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions. The Porte recognizes the demand in principle, but has postponed its reply from day to day. The American legation has now sent a communication pointedly demanding a speedy and final settlement, the issuance of the necessary orders, and the official acknowledgment of the demands. The European squadron has been ordered to Smyrna. It is reported that there are signs that the signatory Powers to the Treaty of Paris are beginning to take active interest in the policy of the American Government in the matter at issue and are willing to bring influence to bear upon the Sultan to induce him to acquiesce in the American demands. The officials at Washington are hopeful that the Sultan, learning the real purposes of the Government, will be willing to make the concessions and thus make unnecessary any prolonged stay of the European squadron in Turkish waters. The latest advices are that the negotiations have taken a favorable turn and there is expectation of a speedy and satisfactory adjustment of the matter.

The official attitude of the Venezuela Government in the asphalt controversy, in which American interests are said to be endangered, is set forth in a cablegram received at Washington by the Venezuelan charge d'affaires, from the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Caracas, which says,—

"The Government of Venezuela requested a competent court to declare forfeited Hamilton's concessions because of non-fulfilment of obligations. The property was seized as a precautionary measure, in conformity with law."

It appears that the company was required to construct certain public works in connection with the concession, and the failure to meet its alleged obligation in these respects was the reason for the course taken by the Venezuelan Government designed entirely to protect its own interests.

It was announced in the House of Commons recently that Germany, Austria, and Italy, as well as Russia, had given their assent to the Egyptian clauses of the AngloFrench agreement. Great Britain had given assurance that they would receive the "most favored nation" treatment for their commerce for thirty years; had promised to respect their treaty rights in Egypt, and to give their schools the same liberties as heretofore, and to allow the officials of those nationalities in the Egyptian service the same advantages as are enjoyed by the British subjects.

An unconfirmed report says that Prince Henry of Prussia, his wife, and eldest son will leave Germany in two weeks for a tour of the United States and will go, after his arrival in New York, direct to St. Louis. The Prince is coming in state, and will be entertained during his stay here by the German Imperial Commissioner to the World's Fair.

A son and heir to the Russian throne was born last week. The child will be christened Alexis Nikolaevitch, and if he reigns he will probably assume the title of Alexis II. The last Alexis was emperor of Muscovy in 1645.

The approval by King Edward of the reappointment of Lord Curzon of Kedleston as Viceroy of India is announced.

Rafael Reyes assumed office last week as President of Colombia, succeeding Senor Marroquin.

Industrial and Commercial.

An interesting "Blue Book" has been issued by the British Foreign Office containing the report of Sir William Garstin, under secretary for public works in Egypt, upon the basins of the Upper Nile, and a despatch from the British Minister and Consul General in Egypt, which says the irrigation and railroad schemes suggested by Sir William Garstin represent an estimated expenditure of about $107.000.000. of which about $65.000.000 will be used in the development of the Soudan, and about $40.000.000 in the development of Egypt. The whole irrigation plan is based broadly on utilizing the White Nile for the benefit of Egypt and the Blue Nile for the benefit of the Soudan. Lord Cromer says the carrying out of the greater portion of the programme may be postponed for the present, but about $27.000.000 should be utilized at an early date in canals for Egypt, in raising the Assouan dam in the completion of the Suakim-Berber Railroad and other developments of the country which will largely increase the revenue from taxes.

According to the Government report on the grain crop of 1904, the corn crop will break all records, the hay crop will be second only in value, and unusually satisfactory crops of oats, barley, and rye will be harvested. The figures given for the crop of corn are 2.564.847.000 bushels, as against 2.523.648.312 bushels in 1892, which is the largest previous crop. Reports on wheat are not very satisfactory. The total crop is estimated at 605.939.000 bushels. The total crop of wheat has not fallen below 637.000.000 since 1900.

The London Board of Trade returns for the month of July show a decrease in imports of $23.483.500 and a decrease in exports of $5.460.000. The decrease in imports was principally in foodstuffs, $18,284.445. and wool, $3.345.265. The decrease in exports was mainly in iron, steel, and manufactures thereof, amounting to $2.436.215.

Lebaudy's steerable balloon made a quarter of an hour's fight recently at Paris, covering a considerable distance at a height of eighty metres and returning to its shed without any hitch. M. Lebaudy and the engineer who steered, say the balloon covered about twelve miles and a half during its flight of fifteen minutes.

The Director of Mineral Survey for the State of Texas reports the discovery of quicksilver ore in Christmas Mountain. This extends the limits of the district twenty miles. The find was made by Mexicans.

General.

The United States Government is becoming quite a banker for the American soldiers says an exchange. For the year ending June 30, 1903, there was deposited by soldiers $1.888.014, and it is understood that the amount for the fiscal year, which will end the last of this month, will be much larger. The enlisted men of the United States are allowed to leave their money in the hands of the paymaster, taking a certificate for it, and the Government pays the men interest at the rate of four per cent a year.

The restoration of the famous stadium of Athens, begun in 1895 with funds given by a Greek merchant, has progressed until the last of the fifty-two thousand marble seats which the great ampitheatre contains are now being placed. The seats, railings, etc., are all of the creamy white Pentelikon marble. It is the intention of the committee having the restoration in charge to build a marble propylaea, or entrance, resembling the ancient one.

An interesting discovery has been made in the Etruscan Necropolis of Tarquinia. It consists of a cornet of modern shape three thousand years old. Two hundred tombs, containing helmets and breastplates of gold, amulets, vases, etc., have been opened showing that the Etruscan civilization was far superior to that of the Romans. The collection will be offered for sale after the Government has appropriated one fourth of it under the law.

In the chalk pits of Kent, England, eleven miles from London, there have been found cave dwellings of ancient Britons. The caves are connected by galleries, which extend for milels, and near the center is a Druid temple.

Last year the supplies of fish at Billingsgate Market, London, amounted to 163.897 tons as against 156.357 tons in 1902 and 148.366 tons in 1901.

Forty eight thousand bushels of seedling oysters have been shipped from the Atlantic coast to replenish the beds of the Pacific.

The Ceylon pearl fishery season just produced £92.700 for the Government.