271
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
] 「 ། ། ་། །།
Reference :-
CO.885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
20
"
Lambe & Rogge is carried on by Snowman, under his own name, who, though British, was always known as a prominent member of the German community.
Siemssen & Company.-Business carried on by their per pro," J. Manners, reported to be very pro-German, though British born: he went to Germany as a child.
Ulderup & Schulter was a branch of Jebsen & Company, and was run by their employee. The firm is bankrupt, but apparently Jebsen & Company's money has not been appropriated to balance their accounts.
53330
No. 19.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SIR,
Downing Street, 23rd November, 1915. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Bonar Law to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th November* regarding the liquidation of German firms in Hong Kong, and to make the following observations upon the specific points mentioned therein :-
(1) With regard to the statement that German manufactures are sent to Holland, marked "Made in Holland," shipped in Dutch vessels to the Dutch East Indies, and subsequently distributed through the Far East, Mr. Bonar Law has no definite information, but will draw the attention of the Government of Hong Kong to the matter and request to be furnished with a report.
(2) No instructions have been given by this Department to the effect that the liquidators should not hurry the liquidations, and, so far as Mr. Bonar Law is. aware, no delay has taken place beyond what was necessary for the protection of the market and the interests of creditors of the liquidated firms.
(3) The question of change of the policy described in paragraph 3 of your letter regarding trade-marks, etc., is now under consideration.
(4) As regards the suggested removal of German prisoners of war from the Colony, the Governor has reported that the fear of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce as to the danger of the presence of the camp is not shared by the responsible authorities. Accordingly, after considering the matter in consulta- tion with the War Office, Mr. Bonar Law does not at present propose to take any action in the matter.
(5) The following facts regarding the firms mentioned in the enclosure to your letter may be of interest to the Chamber of Commerce :-
F. Blackman & Company. It is presumed that the firm referred to is that of F. Blackhead & Company, and that the property referred to is landed property. If so, action in this case is covered by the policy referred to in paragraph 3 of your letter under acknowledgment, and will not be altered unless there is a change of that policy.
Bume & Reif-Mr. Bonar Law understands that Mr. Reif carried on busi- ness in Bradford in partnership with Mr. Bume from 1893 until the beginning of the War, and is now carrying on business there under a licence from the Home Office separately from his German partner. He has been licensed to carry on busi- ness in Hong Kong on terms similar to those contained in the licence granted to him in the United Kingdom.
China.
Carlowitz & Company.-His Majesty's Government are now satisfied that the firm of Rayner Heusser & Company is carrying on business independently of white" list for firms trading in Carlowitz & Company, and the firm is on the
Deutsche Asiatische Bank. This bank being liquidated by the Hong Kong Mr. Bonar Law and Shanghai Banking Corporation, as stated in your letter. does not understand whether the Chamber of Commerce wish to make any objection to this arrangement.
Garrels Borner & Company.-Mr. W. G. Worcester is not carrying on the business of the above company, but is carrying on business on his own account with the express permission of the Government of Hong Kong.
* No. 18.
21
Radecker & Company.-Mr. Bonar Law understands that the brokers of this firm are being paid half their salaries by the liquidators; and I am to add that this case is receiving consideration with the general question mentioned above.
Sander Wieler & Company. Mr. Backhouse is not carrying on the business of the above firm, but is carrying on an independent business on his own account. Mr. Bonar Law has no reason to believe that he has received any licence to use the old trade-marks of the firm.
Wendt & Company. Mr. Hannibal, who has been carrying on business under supervision, has satisfied the Government of Hong Kong that he has severed all connexion with Wendt & Company both in Hong Kong and in China.
Lamke and Rogge.-This business was purchased in 1909 by Mr. Snowman, who is a British subject.
Siemssen & Company.—Mr. J. Manners is carrying on business on his own account under a licence, which contains the specific condition that he must not carry on business on behalf of Messrs. Siemssen & Company.
Ulderup & Schulter.-Mr. Bonar Law has no detailed information as to this firm; but, in any case, the question whether the assets of Messrs. Jebsen & Company could be made liable for the debts of Messrs. Ulderup & Schulter would appear to be a purely legal one which the local Government is fully competent to decide.
(6) In conclusion, I am to add that there is no foundation whatever for the impression which it is suggested prevails in the Colony: "that the businesses are to be kept alive until the war is over, and the Germans will thus be in a position, immediately they are released, to resume operations."
57853
SIR,
No. 20.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
I am, &c.,
H. W. JUST.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 15th December, 1915.)
(Confidential.)
[Answered by No. 23.]
Government House, Singapore, 17th November, 1915. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 25th September,* regarding the business of the Singapore Oil Mills and of
the Medical Hall.
2. The Singapore Oil Mills have been worked with German capital, but the manager is English and the business is a Singapore business. The manager is Mr. W. H. Macgregor, who is the liquidator of the great German firm of Messrs. Behn Meyer & Company, and I do not think, in the circumstances, that any further control is necessary.
3. The Medical Hall is in a different position. It carries on a retail busi- ness in the sale of drugs, and is, in fact, a chemist's shop of no political importance, but the manager is a naturalized British subject of German birth, and the business is largely German owned. The accounts are audited by a reliable British firm of accountants, and I have arranged that these accountants shall work under the general control of the Colonial Treasurer, to whom they should report any doubtful transactions and furnish all information that may be asked for. I have no doubt that this supervision will prove effective.
I have, &c.,
R. J. WILKINSON,
* 44217.
Governor's Deputy.