1
بیم
COPY.
T.T.D. 81307.
FMP/MS.
8
HK.
40870
13
17267/
1915
NOV 17 1915
9.11.16.
141
HOLLAND CHINA TRADING COMPANY.
Xoom
Hongkong. Tientsin, Shanghai.
The Governor of Hong Kong reported on 29.8.15. that this Company is a neutral concern with a very strong bias in favour of the Germans, and is said to be giving help to alien enemies. Since the beginning of September it has jumped on and off the China White List in rather a bewildering fashion.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
On 13.9.15. it appears on the White List. On 30.9.15. Sir J. Jordan reported that the Company was suspect and should be exluded from the general White List.
On Circular 0.1580 of 33.9.15. it appears as an enemy firm,
On Circular 0.1577 of 34.9.15. it was removed from the White List.
On 4.10.15 the Foreign Office stated that the Company had been (originally 7) placed upon the White List in consequence of information derived from H.M.Consul General at Shanghai (.T.D.333449) of. the F.0. to W.T.D. 12/10/15 in this file,
.T.D. 81307.
Added to China White List, and removed from Black List. (0.1693 of 11.10.15).
F.0. Circular of 33.10.15. shows the firm still to be on the China White List.
We have the following information upon the firm'e dealings with the enemy:-
(1)
(a)
(3)
A letter of 19.5.15. intercepted by the Russian Censor, shows that the Company had agreed to ship tea to Holland on behalf of Siemesen and Krohn, Fooohow.
The Hong Kong branch has been asked by the German firm, the China Export, Import and Banking Company, to take over its Hong Kong business during the war. (T.L.995 of 5.8.15).
Leykauff and Company, Tientsin, who are in
liquidation, have proposed to A.Combarnons and G. Gaugier, Marseilles, that the trade in ground-nuts between Leykauff and Marseilles should be transferred to the Holland China Trading Company. This proposal was enclosed in a letter of 39.9.15. from the Holland China Trading Company, Tientsin to the Rotterdam house (T.L.1443).
We may remark that so far as our information goes, the Holland China Trading Company does not appear to be so deeply involved. in enemy trade as to be beyond easy reach of a friendly arrangement with the British authorities.
Trade Clearing House.
9/11.
(Itd.) F.V.P.