62!
GS
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(Copy) C.33849.
Copy of letter from the
leadquarters offices,
China Command,
21st June, 1915.
166
1401
T **dards
107 si shart
sir,
I have the honour to inform you that, from a conversation overheard in the prisoners of war camp, there is a very strong feeling on the part of the Germans that, after the war, Hong Kong should be boycotted as a trade centre, "here are two ideas among the local merchante in the camp, these being (1) that Whampoa on the Delta should be made into a German trade centre to which place sea going ships would be able to come (2) to remove all their Offices from Hong Kong and transfer them to canton. This latter I have seen in letters from senior merchants now in the camp.
I send you the above information trusting that, may be of use to your Chamber of Commerce,
I have the honour be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
sd.) C.Lawder,
-7:
! ajor.
rrovost larshall.
The Hon.Mr.F.A.Hewett,C.R.G.,
President,
Hong Kong Chamber of commerce.