523
Merch 18th 1915.
Sir:-
I have received from the Foreign office copy of a
letter from the Board of Trade enclosing a statement from
the principal British Insurance Companies doing business in
the Far East on the subject of the employment of German
Agents.
As there has been a considerable amount of discussion
on the general subject of British firms in England employ-
ing German agents in China, I think that it may be of use to
you in eny future discussions which may arise in your Con-
sular district to be rcquainted with the considered views
of the Insurance Companies and accordingly transmit herewith
copy of the Board of Trade's letter and its enclosure.
It is true that some of the arguients advanced by them for
continuing to employ German agents are not applicable to
other branches of business, but they are of value as show-
ing that the question of the replacement of German by British
agents presents certain difficulties, and that firme in
England will require to be convinced that their interests
will not be affected to any material degree, before they
agree to discard their German agents,
(Signed)
I em &c.,
J. N. Jordan,