The world-wide British Empire includes many countries containing oil potentialities, though the total production is inconsiderable in comparison with that of a single American state like California or Texas. According to the statistics put forth by Sir Auckland Geddes, production under the British flag in 1919 represented but five per cent. of the world’s petroleum output. But there is no certainty as to what the future may bring forth and the general policy in all parts of the Empire seems to be to keep oil development in the hands of British nationals and to restrict operations by foreign capital. In the important oil territory at Burma these restrictions are absolute; though in self-governing Dominions, like Canada, they do not obtain. In all Crown colonies the British Government retains the right of pre-emption at need. Quite as severe are the laws covering oil deposits or potential oil deposits in French colonial possessions. The Dutch East Indies, a comparatively promising field, are closed to all but subjects of Holland, or to companies which have a majority of Dutch subjects on their directorate; under the latter provision British capital dominates the oil production of Borneo. Outside the Western hemisphere the only fields where the United States may look for reserves, (which, as has been explained, are of especial importance in connection with bunkering stations,) lie in what are respectively known as the Near East and the Far East. China has undoubtedly oil potentialities, though data on the subject is vague, and it is presumed that the Chinese government, which holds a monopoly of them, will one day admit foreigners into partnership in the working of them under some sort of special contract. Japan already has a somewhat similar arrangement. In demonstrated possibilities the Near East is of much more promise. The importance of the Roumanian field has been spoken of elsewhere and prior to the war American interests were established there. Later in its reconstruction policies Roumania is contemplating changes in its petroleum program not formulated at this writing. It is reported that French and British interests, supported by their respective governments, are making every effort to secure important holdings in the Galician oil fields, formerly situated in Austria, but now coming within the boundaries of the new Republic of Poland. The future administration of the Russian fields is still problematical. At the moment they are occupied by the Bolsheviki. The Persian field, by an arrangement dating back to 1901, is operated by British interests. The potential fields of Mesopotamia and Palestine are under control of Britain by mandate of the League of Nations; but that country expressly disclaims any special authority to exclude other nations from participation in petroleum development in these territories. It must be plain to the most inexperienced reader that in the case of Asiatic and East-European fields, however, American