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Show finance. As a French writer ; notes, France's fortune Is growing Bteadily. as tho result of au annual saving of $1,000,000,000," much of which must seek Investment abroad. M. Leroy Beauliou'B figures show that France now receives $360,000,000 as an annual an-nual income from foreign holdings, which aro principally government slocks, tho amount having been almost doubled in the last fifteen years. Ho estimates the present wealth of tho 'French people at $15,000,000,000, or more than $1,100 for every man. woman wo-man nad child, and as the estimate Is based on declared succession taxes, it is admittedly far below the real figures. fig-ures. In addition, M. Leroy Beaulleu takes no account of the great amount of gold and securities which the French, especially the peasants, Keep concealed. During tho last fifteen years $521,400,000 In gold was loaned abroad, yet tho excess Importation amounted to $785,800,000. In 1890 tnc gold holdings of the Bank of Franco increased by $200,000,000; they now stand at $700,000,000, the largest in the history of tho bank. The other banks hold $833,800,000. The balances of trade, which in 1S93 amounted to $110,000,000 agalnBt Franco, are now In Franco's favor. Increased taxation, however, keep paco with tho increased wealth, the budget of 1909, owing to the purchase of tho Western railroad and expenses? in connection with Morocco, being the highest In tho history of the country. THE STRENGTH OF FRANCE. When Bismarck placed upon France an Indemnity of one billion dollars, tho great statesman believed he had inflicted a burden which they could not lift and that ho ould force drops of blood from the people or France; but ho figured without knowledge knowl-edge of tho resources of the French leasantry. The common people of France aro the nation's power In |