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British Consul wrote us in regard to one of our Chinese Agencies "It is not at all clear to me why, at an open Treaty Port, foreign- ers should employ a Chinese Agent instead of one of their own nat- i ionality".
The co-operation with Chinese is not encouraged by ma
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of Consuls as was the case with the German Consula, with the result that if a Britisher does so, he practically does so with the full knowledge that he has neither the goodwill or support of his own representative. Speaking for ourselves we do go as far into the Interior for our business as any of the German Firms did, but a to encouragement to take up auch echemea in co-operation with Chinese, az „ining, direct sources of Produce and etala, inland navigation, with all ita cumshaws, aquesses to local officials, no British Firm feels he has the good will of his Government behind ni to risk his time and money, such will not be possible till our Lovernment at Home through the Foreign office indicate through Consular Officials that every effort is to be made to encourage co- operation with Juinese in trade and that they see that Chinese Off- icials do not unduly delay the granting of permission in terms of Treaties, which in 99% of cases is the yoint of which most schemes break and on which unnecessary squeeze and cumshaw come in.
As regards the liquidation of German Firma here, the policy of the local overnment which no doubt it only the reflection of the attitude of the Secretary of State, is only the liquidation of Gooda intock, not the total breaking up the whole organization, staffs in the case of solvent firms are being kept on or such of them that the Alien nemy wishes to, Godowns, Offices ac, lo, Although all this is distinctly against the wishes of British Firma and the hamber of Commerce here, we are met with the official reply to our representations, that it is not the policy of 1.5.
Government
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