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so low a margin is impossible in legitimate business
and that the firm must certainly have received
financial support from some outside source. The terms
of business quoted, and the prices at which the goods
were sold are supported by good evidence.
Mr. Girardet quotes a persistent rumour that the
German Consular Authorities in Hongkong and China
possessed a trust fund for the assistance of German
firms; it is supposed that this fund was used as a
bounty
-
for German goode wherever possible; but in any
case for German business, that is to say for business
conducted by or through German houses. He believes
that it is part of an organised campaign for the
capture of trade by Germany in the Far East.
He has brought this to my notice in the hope that
the present liquidation work in Hongkong may possibly
throw some light on the alleged organisation. In
support of the idea he reminds me that failures of
German