the government, especially through the Geological Survey, the Bureau of Mines, and the several war boards, found it necessary to use extraordinary efforts to obtain even elementary information on the international features of mineral trade. Much progress has been made, but only a start. The geologist or engineer who fails to follow these investigations may be caught napping in the economic phases of his work.
THE COAL AND IRON SITUATION OF WESTERN EUROPE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PEACE TREATY
A mineral problem of special international importance at the present time relates to the disposition of the coal and iron resources of Germany. Germany's coal and iron have been the basis for its commanding position in industry and commerce. In fact, its development of these resources has been probably the most vital element in the European economic situation. The terms of the Peace Treaty in regard to these commodities have far-reaching consequences, not only for Germany but for all Europe, and indirectly, for the world.
Germany (Westphalia) outclasses all other European sources in grades of metallurgical coal, in quantities produced, and in cheapness of production. Both France and Belgium must continue to be dependent on this source for important parts of the coking coal for metallurgical purposes, notwithstanding France's acquisition of the Saar Basin, which produces mainly non-coking coal, and the development of new reserves in Belgium. Germany's command of coal is wrecked in several ways. The French take over full and absolute possession of the coal of the Saar Basin, though Germany has the right to repurchase it at the end of fifteen years, in case this territory then elects for union with Germany. The coal of Upper Silesia, with a production of about 23 per cent of the total of all German hard coal, is to be ceded to Poland, subject, however, to plebiscite. Germany undertakes to deliver to France each year, for not to exceed ten years, an amount of coal