199
364
لسا
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
LC.Q885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
3523
ŞIR,
198
No. 171. TRINIDAD.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE ACTING GOVERNOR.
(Confidential.)
[Answered by No. 174.]
Downing Street, 18th February, 1916. WITH reference to my Confidential despatch of the 15th June, 1915,* I have the honour to transmit to you copy of the report of a committee appointed by me to consider certain questions concerning the liquidation of enemy firms in the British Colonies and Protectorates and of the memorandum thereto attached, and to call your attention to the change of policy recommended by the committee. You will no doubt give the report your careful consideration and communicate to me your opinion as to the adoption of the new policy in Trinidad.
2, In particular I request that I may be furnished with information as to the nature of the businesses carried on by the following firms, which appear to be in liquidation:---
Schjolsetch & Holler,
The German Kali Works,
Hugo Hoffmann,
S. Ě. Jacobson,
C. A. Belling,
Mrs. J. A. A. Scheerer;
and that i may be intormed what action has been taken with regard to the perma- nent assets (including goodwill and real estate) of these firms, and also of the firms I shall of Messrs. Laing & Company and Messrs. Wessels and Von Gouthard. be glad to learn whether you see any objection to all these firms being liquidated in accordance with the new policy set out in the committee's report. If, however. any of the firms mentioned contain partners of neutral nationality you should not Initiate any change of policy without first consulting me.
3. Whatever may be done as regards other firms, no change of policy should
be made with regard to P. Scheerer & Company.
4. As regards the cocoa estates of Mr. Max Reimer and Mr. P. F. Collignon, as at present advised, I see no reason to vary the policy described in paragraph 18 of the report of the Chairman, Liquidating Committee, which formed enclosure 2 in your Confidential despatch of the 15th June, 1915, and in my cipher telegram of the 7th September. § It appears to me that a planter is in a different position from that of a commercial house, as his political influence is likely to be small, and, subject to what is said in succeeding paragraphs of this despatch, the planter's Further, such influence as commercial connexion with Germany is negligible.
he may have is probably not so enduring as that of a commercial house which continues its existence and maintains its German nationality independently of the partners from time to time composing it, whereas the German planter may sell his estate or it may descend to children born on British soil, who would naturally tend to lose German sympathy as well as German nationality.
5. In this connexion, however, one further point arises, and that concerns the distribution of the cocoa produced in the Colony. It has been suggested to me that efforts were being made before the war to make Hamburg the distributing The figures in the latest centre of cocoa formerly distributed through London. Blue Book show that the British West Indies had not been seriously affected by any such efforts, but I shall be glad to be favoured with your views on the subject, especially as to whether there is any trace of the exercise of the influence of German commercial firms in the Colony with the object of diverting cocoa to Ham- burg. The produce of the German cocoa estates in the Colony would no doubt in the past tend to be distributed through Hamburg, and it is a matter for con- sideration whether steps should not be taken to divert this produce from Hamburg to London by the compulsory sale of the German estates to British purchasers or any other means. But I should wish to have your views before definite action is taken.
I have, &c.,
14848
SIB,
No. 172.
BERMUDA.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 28th March, 1918.)
(Confidential.)
Government House, Bermuda, 11th March, 1916. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential despatch of the 18th February, 1916,* relating to the treatment of enemy firms in Bermuda.
2. I regret that, owing to a misunderstanding, the information given in my There were Secret telegram of the 14th November, 1914, was not complete. altogether six firms in Bermuda conducted by persons of enemy origin, and I append a memorandum drawn up by Mr. F. G. Gosling, the Assistant Colonial Secretary, who is thoroughly familiar with all the circumstances, showing the manner in which these firms have been dealt with. The error in my telegram referred to above was due to the fact that at that time the investigations on this question were not complete, and that only one of the firms concerned, that of E. Schiehauer, had been dealt with.
3. The position of W. E. Meyer & Company is fully explained in the memo- randum. Although the founder of the firm, partly owing to his position as German Consul, and partly to his doubtful business reputation, was formerly placed on the list of suspects, there is no reason whatever to doubt the loyalty of the present members, and, in my opinion, no danger is incurred by permitting this firm to continue in business, but, on the contrary, the greatest inconvenience would be caused by any attempt to suspend their operation.
4. It will be observed that none of the firms in question are enemy firms within the meaning of the Trading with the Enemy Acts, and those which have been closed have been dealt with on the score of the personal reputation of th proprietors. I am satisfied that there is no objection to permitting those no operating to carry on business.
5. I will address you separately on the question raised in your circular despatch of the 1st February as to the appointment of a Custodian of Enemy Property.
I have, &o.,
COLONIAL SECRETARY,
G. M. BULLOCK, Lieutenant-General, Governor, and
Commander-in-Chief.
Enclosure in No. 172.
MEMORANDUM.
IN November, 1914, the businesses of three enemy subjects were closed, i.e., those of :-
1. H. Gady, German, conducting a small hotel and retail liquor shop on
East Broadway;
2. E. Scheihauer, German, small general shop on Reid Street;
3. H. Friesenbruch, bicycle shop on Queen Street.
The two former men were interned at Ports Island, and the latter, who is in feeble health, was granted parole on his agreeing to stay in Pembroke Parish.
The business premises and business of Gady were both mortgaged, I believe,
to local people, one of whom, I understand, is carrying on the tavern.
Schiehauer's business was sold to an American, and the proceeds were, I think, handed over to his wife in New York.
Friesenbruch's business was sold to a Bermudian with the approval of the Governor, but he continues to own real estate.
* No. 169.
+ 44785.
A. BONAR LAW.
* 26820.
† No. 2.
No. 99 in Miscellaneous No. 811.
§ 40572.