349
56 BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
ance Companies always command a pick of the Fire, Life and Marine business to be had, so that German operations in the realms of the Far Eastern Insurance markets could not damage British interests to any appreciable extent. May this long be the case. Until the outbreak of war many German firms held valuable agencies of leading British Insurance Companies. By reason of their large turnover they were able to control a large amount of Insurance business. These agencies were in some cases profitable to the British Companies, but it is satisfactory to note that as soon as war was declared they were in nearly every instance promptly terminated. This action stands out in sharp contrast to the doings of certain Manchester and Bradford firms who continued to trade with German firms in China long after our Government had intimated that such trading was highly
BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
57
undesirable. Fortunately, such trading has now been rendered impossible, but the fact that steps had to be taken to stop it is a sad reflection on the lack of patriotism displayed by some of our own people.
We now
come to examine German activities in the Cotton and Woollen goods trade of Manchester and Bradford. It is
in this first and foremost branch of business that their doings have excited so much comment. This trade is essentially an English speciality, and the fact that the Germans have been able to monopolise at least 25 per cent. of it (and possibly more) in China is certainly a matter that requires some explanation and investigation. On the face of it, it would appear that some- thing is amiss with our methods. For British merchants China has long been only second in importance to India as an outlet and market for the products of the