Man sagt oft: Zahlen regieren die Welt. Das aber ist gewiss, Zahlen zeigen wie sie regiert wird, GOETHE. PREFACE THE statistical and other information in the new issue of the Year-Book for 1905 has been brought up to the latest available date, in some cases to the end of 1904. Many improvements and additions have been introduced. The Commerce of Australia is now given under the "Commonwealth" collectively, exclusive of Inter-State Trade, in addition to the Trade Statistics of the various States. The Anglo-French Convention of 1904, affecting French and British Colonies, Siam, Egypt, Morocco, has been kept constantly in view; while the unceasing administrative rearrangement of French West African Possessions has this year involved much alteration. The space devoted to Germany as a whole, especially Education, has been increased, while that given to the small German States has been shortened. The island of Formosa has now a separate section under Japan. The section dealing with the Chinese Army has been thoroughly revised, while the Chinese Dependencies, especially Tibet, are given separately, and more fully than formerly. Turkey has been largely re-written, particularly the portions relating to its political condition, the Army, and the Bagdad Railway. The section relating to the Bulgarian Army has been re-written, and the statistics relating to Rumania have been much extended. The Philippine Islands are more fully treated than formerly. Mr. Fred T. Jane has thoroughly revised and rearranged the Navy sections of the various States on a simpler method, which will give a clearer and more intelligible idea of the real strength of the different Powers. He of the has also compiled two interesting tables, one showing the losses sustained by the Russian and Japanese forces in the present war, and the other showing the penetrative power of the projectiles used. There are maps and diagrams showing (1) the new Naval Distribution Scheme. (2) Army Divisions of the United Kingdom. (3) Railway Schemes in the Near East. (4) New Frontiers in South America. (5) Cotton Growing Areas of the World, with diagrams. (6) Wheat Growing Areas of the World, with diagrams. (7) British Meat Imports from Abroad, with diagrams. The series of Tables on the Resources and Products of various British Possessions may be useful. These are some of the new features of the 1905 issue. Special attention is directed to ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. My colleague, Mr. Renwick, and I can only once again express our deep indebtedness to those all the world over who have so kindly lent us their co-operation. J. S. K. CONTENTS I. THE BRITISH EMPIRE, 1903-1904. WHEAT. AREA AND YIELD IN 1902 AND 1903. BARLEY AND OATS. AREA AND YIELD IN 1903. CANE-SUGAR. AREA AND YIELD IN 1902 AND 1903. 4. GOLD. QUANTITY AND VALUE OF OUTPUT IN 1902 AND 1903. 5. COAL. OUTPUT AND VALUE IN 1902 AND 1903, |