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105
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522
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sufficient guarantee for a continuance of such agency at least
for most people.
Secondly, the Texago had become doubtful even of my
own Company, their old friends, because of a rumor in Hongkong
that they were going to be declared a "German" firm. This in-
formation wes cabled the Texaco by one of their travelling in-
spectors who happened to be at the time in China. Reiss's
Manager (Folyoak) is on the Committee of the Hongkong Chamber of
Jommerce, which is probably responsible for this rumor, as it was founded, apparently, on a suggestion by that Chamber (as
circulated in one of its confidential reports). In fairne 59
to Holyoak, I add my belief that he was in Japan at the time.
But what position and what action did he take after his return to
right this reckless, if not malicious, slender ?
Thus the natural and obvious question arose with the
Texa00: If a "British Company", incorporated in England, may,
because of the curious reasoning of certain Hongkong people,
be possibly declared a "German firm", how long will a firm of
German origin, and with such a pronounced German name, 98 Keiss,
be safe?
Bence their desire from which nothing can and will
move them to have the assurances of H.A. Government and of the
Governor of Hong kong that political expediency will not at some
time hereafter necessitate an interdiction for Reiss & Co. to
continue trading; although I thought, and cabled to Carroll, that
I would probably be able to induce the Texeco to do without this
assurance,
You see, dear Sir
what all this leads to.
Naturally, I tried my best to satisfy the Texaco in this
regard and passed on to them my partner's cable:
"Governor prepared recognize Reiss our agents Hongkong
Canton, Colonial Office recommends arrange promptly."
adding to my letter:
"From this it followe of course that neither the Hong kong