CO885-(25-26) — Page 375

359

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

لسا

Reference :-

PLLC885/25

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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appear to contain no neutral interest--at least, none is mentioned, and I think we The Jamaica may assume that had any existed the United States would have made representa- tions in bonnexion with the liquidation of the Trinidad branch. branch is being carried on by a nephew of the naturalized British partner. I think that the Governor ought to show cause why this firm should not be liquidated The business is evidently one of some in Jamaica as it has been in Trinidad. importance and influence.

The business of Messrs. Finke appears to have disappeared, but that of J. H. Milke & Brothers is being carried on by the son of the deported enemy owner. This business appears to be of small importance, but I think the Governor should Inquiries may show that it may be show cause why it should not be liquidated. allowed to continue. In any case, the special point mentioned by Mr. Grindle does not appear to arise in Jamaica, Bruhn, the only neutral affected, having apparently already been disposed of by his creditors. Perhaps, however, we might ask for a report as to the present position of Bruhn & Company, especially whether good- will and real estate have been sold in the liquidation.

As to Trinidad, Mr. Grindle's point does not, so far as appears, arise with regard to any business but that of Scheerer & Company, and, as already stated, we We cannot make any change in regard to this business. The goodwill and real estate, if any, of A. S. Laing & Company appear to have been already disposed of. might perhaps inquire as to this, and also as to what is being done in regard to the permanent assets of Wessels & Von Gonthard and the firms numbered 2 (V.) above. As to the cocoa estates of Messrs. Reimer & Collignon, I am inclined to adhere to the view taken on 31146/15. I think that a planter is in a different position to The political influence of a German-owned plantation is a commercial house. likely to be small, and there is not likely to be any question of commercial connexion with Germany, although, of course, the German planters probably send to Hamburg Also, what influence the produce which might be distributed through London. planter may have is not likely to be so enduring as that of a commercial house, which continues in existence and maintains its German nationality independently of the personalities of the partners from time to time composing it. The German planter may sell his estate, or it may descend to children born on British soil who may tend to lose German sympathy as well as German nationality.

I would suggest, however, that we should inquire of the Governor whether the produce of these and other German plantations was distributed through Hamburg, and whether he can suggest any means, other than the sale to British purchasers of the plantations, by which we can secure the diversion of the produce to London, and a similar inquiry might perhaps be addressed to other West Indian Govern- ments. Possibly this might be one of the subjects upon which we should seek the assistance of the Board of Trade, with a view to post bellum arrangements.

Colonial Office,

8th February, 1916.

3523

No. 169. BERMUDA.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 172.]

(Confidential.)

C. T.

Downing Street, 18th February, 1916. SIR,

I HAVE the honour to invite reference to your Secret telegram of the 13th November, 1914, in which you reported that the only business in Bermuda belong- ing to a German subject had been closed, and to inquire whether the business in question is that of Messrs. W. E. Meyer & Company, who are mentioned in your predecessor's Confidential despatch of the 12th November, 1910.†

2. If the firm is still an enemy firm and has not yet been completely liquidated, I request that you will take immediate steps to sell its business, with goodwill, real estate, and all other permanent assets, as a going concern, to an approved British purchaser, unless there is proof that neutral subjects have acquired a substantial interest in the business since 1910.

197

3. I shall be glad to be furnished with an early report of the action taken in this matter, together with a brief statement of the present position of the two or three other businesses owned by Germans or Austrians, with British or United States naturalization, of whom mention is made in your cipher telegram* under reference.

3523

No. 170. JAMAICA.

I have, &c.,

A. BONAR LAW.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. [Answered by No. 173.]

(Confidential.)

SIR,

Downing Street, 18th February, 1916. WITH reference to my Confidential despatch of the 16th June, 1915,† I have the honour to transmit to you copy of the report of a committee appointed by me w consider certain questions concerning the liquidation of enemy firms in the British Colonies and Protectorates and of the niemorandum thereto attached, and to call your attention to the change of policy recommended by the committee. You will no doubt carefully consider in the light of this report whether the policy indicated in your Confidential despatch of the 26th July, 1915, § should not now be modified.

2. The Attorney-General, in his report which formed an enclosure to your despatch No. 430, of the 30th October, 1915, sets out the position in Jamaica in respect of enemy firms and businesses, and I will now deal with the firms and businesses therein mentioned in detail.

3. As regards the Hamburg-Amerika Company, the arrangements which you your Secret have made with the Atlas Company, and which were reported in despatch of the 30th September, 1915, your Confidential despatch of the 10th December, 1914,** and previous correspondence, are incompatible with the policy recommended by the committee, and, in the circumstances, I should not propose to apply it to this property. It would, however, seem desirable for the furniture and stores belonging to the Company, which are mentioned in paragraph 5 of the Attorney-General's report referred to above, to be sold unless they are being used by the Government, and the proceeds held by the Custodian of Enemy Property pending the conclusion of the War.

4. It would appear that the firms of Wessels and Von Gouthard, whose Trinidad branch is in liquidation, and of J. H. Milke and Brother, are still carry- ing on business. I would inquire whether you see any objection to winding up these firms in accordance with the recommendations in the committee's report. It appears to me undesirable that the Jamaica establishment of Wessels and Von Gouthard should remain in business while the Trinidad branch of the firm has been wound up.

I assume that neither of these firms contains any partner of neutral nationality. Should my assumption be wrong you should consult me before taking any steps to institute a liquidation.

5. I request that you will furnish me with a report on the present position of Messrs. Fincke & Company and Messrs. Bruhn & Company, stating whether the permanent assets of these firms (including goodwill and real estate) have been realized, and whether there is any likelihood of the original owners resuming business in the Colony after the termination of the war.

6. A further point which may be mentioned in this connexion concerns 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 centre for the cocoa for- merly distributed through London. The figures in the latest Blue Book show that any such efforts had not at that date affected the West Indies, but I shall be glad to be favoured with your views on the subject, and especially on the question whether there is anything to show that German firms in the Colony have attempted to divert cocoa to Hamburg. So far as I am aware no important cocoa estates in the Colony are, or were, in German hands in 1914.

* 44785.

+ 86897.

I have, &c.,

A. BONAR LAW.

* 44785.

+ 26820.

↑ No. 2.

§ 87708.

1 52968.

¶ 48073.

** 52015.