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 During the period 1880-1900 the extension of the trade of Belgium has been enormous.

The traffic on the navigable waterways has grown increased from 225,000,000 tons per mile in 1880 to 560,000,000 tons per mile in 1900, being an increase of 150 per cent.

Of the different continental countries from which Reports were obtained—France stands pre-eminent as the one in which the greatest improvements have been made in Inland Navigation.

In the seven years following the Franco-German war, 1871-1878, France, notwithstanding the strain otherwise thrown on her finances, spent 9,640,000l. on the improvement of her waterways and maritime ports. The chief works accomplished during this period in connection with the waterways were the construction in part of the Canal de l'Est, the "canalization" of the Saône, and the increase of the depth of the Seine and of the canals of the Departments of the Nord and Pas de Calais.

In 1879 a new and comprehensive scheme was drawn up, in which the principal object aimed at was to obtain, whether by transforming existing waterways, or by constructing new ones, the greatest possible length of channels of the type laid down for first-class or principal waterways. Such waterways were to be accessible throughout to Flemish barges of about 300 tons burden;