COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE. 27
country. In 1912 this traffic through Belgium totaled 6,600,000
metric tons (7,200,000 short tons), and the goods transported were
valued at nearly $500,000,000.' France, Germany, and Holland were
competitors of Belgium for the transit business. To retain this
traffic and to encourage her own foreign trade, Belgium spent much
capital upon her railways, more than half the total mileage being
state-owned, and upon the ports to which they lead, especially Antwerp.
 Moreover, special import and export rates, arranged to meet
the needs of traffic to and from northern and middle European points,
formed a large parc of Belgian railway tariffs. Special rates were
made on the traffic to and from Holland, France, and Germany.
Special export rates were made on coal, metal goods, glassware,
animals, explosives, and various goods shipped in bulk. Special
import freight tariffs were made on kaolin, weapons, salt, grain,
ores, etc. In addition to this, combined rail and vessel rates were
made with various steamship lines.
In Italy an elaborate system of freight rates has been applied to
the advancement of foreign trade. Commercial zones are described
in the tariffs and special export rates are made on goods according
 to the zone through which they pass. Some import rates are
also made but not as extensively. The Government also makes
experimental rates looking to the development of certain industries;
 in some cases these rates being for but one year at a time.
Such, for example, are rates on dead cocoons and fresh grapes.
Also, the Government collaborates with foreign administrations in
making through rates.?
In France special import and export rates have also been granted.
In general these rates have not been so much below domestic rates
as have the German export tariffs, but in the case of some commodities
 heavy reductions have been allowed. Thus domestic rates
on lime and cement of $0.62 were cut to $0.38 for export.
Various other European countries have also used special export
and import freight rates on their railways to foster their foreign
trade.
The Japanese owe much of their rapid increase in trade with
Manchuria to their development of the South Manchurian Railway.
The National Review, of Shanghai, July 10, 1915, said:
The possession of the South Manchurian Railway has been the
greatest factor of all in the extension of Japanese commerce in
Manchuria. The line is under the sole control of the Japanese and
is an official enterprise.

Tableau Général du Commerce de la Belgique, 1912, pp. 333, 334.
2 Continental Railway Investigations: Reports to the Board of Trade on rallways in
Belgium, France, and Italy, London, 1910, pp. 21. 51-54. 248-259.