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THE CHINA ASSOCIATION.
TRADING WITH THE GERMANS IN CHINA.
STRONGER ACTION URGED.
The annual meeting of the China Association was held at the offices of the P. and O. Steam Navigation Company, 122, Leadenhall-street, EC, on lat inst. Mr. F. Anderson (Chairman of Committee) presided, and there were also present: Sir W. C. Hillier, K.C.M.G.,C. B., Sir A. Dent, K.C.M.G.,Messrs. F. J.Abbott, F. Allen, John C. Bois, Byron Brenas, M.G., E. J. Carrol, Ed. Cousins, Geo. B. Dodwell, A. 3. Garfit, J. C. Hatson, Wm. Harwood, J. & Haskell, Edgar J. Houle, R. H. Hill, G. Jamie- son, C.M.G., H. D. C. Jones, H. H. Joseph, Leonard Kerr, Paul H. King, W. Thurlow Lay, Wm. D. Little, D. H. Mackintosh, J. R. Michael, C. Selby Moore, T. W. Richardson, H. W. Robert- Bon, C. H. Ross, D. C. Rutherford, F. G. Sale, F. Salinger, Herbert Salinger, H. D. Stowart, J. Swire, T. H. Whitehend, W. H. Wickham, H. Wilcockson, R. Chatterton Wilcox, A. G. Wood, and the Secretary (Mr. H. C. Wilcox)
the
The Chairman said: The report has been circulated to members in advance. I need not therefore do more than refer to it in general terms. I would explain that our annual meeting is about a month later than usual this year, mainly owing to our secretary, Mr. Wil cox, having had to carry on the work of his office single-banded. We have given leave of absence for service in the Army his assistant, Mr. Lambert. Notwithstanding the terrible struggle in which this country is engaged so close to our own doors, events in the Far East have by no means passed unnoticed. Whilst Western countries over an immense area are being shaken to their very foundations, China has had to deal with serious problems of her own, both internal and external. From time to time situations arown which might have resulted in disaster bad weakness and irresolution, been shown in dealing with them, but the discretion and ability with which her Government acted under trying conditions have enhanced its prestige, and have done much to inspire conf- dence in the present Chinese administration. It should be borno in mind that only a year ago the Government had not suppressed the notorious White Wolf; disorder was widespread in many pro- vinces- kind of aftermath the revolution; intrigue and con- spiracy were rife in the capital, many the Provincial Govern- ronts hompered the Central Authority by obstructive testias and by withholding supplies, whilst foreign relations in certain quarters were becoming complicated. In weak hands the affairs country would in all probability have drifted into chaos. Now whether it is true or not in ordinary times that in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom," experience has shown once more, and not only in China, that at a time of national crisia it is essential for the welfare of the State to concentrate power in the hands of one national central authority. The great mase of the people of China quickly realised that patriotism and common sense alike demanded that they should support the government of Yuan Shin- kai if disaster were to be averted, and the course of events has justi. fed the wisdom of their decision. Disorder has been suppressed, legislation on conservative lines has boon enacted, the authority of Peking over the Provipops has been re-established, judicious fiscal reforms have been inaugurated, and the first step towards the establishment of a permanent constitution has been taken in the promulgation of what is known as "The Constitutional Compact ** - translation of which interesting and important document will be found in the report. Evidence of the confidence inspired by the Administration may be seen in the fact that two interna! loans have been successfully floated in China at a time when the money Markets of the Western world have been practically closed owing to the war. Concurrently with all this the foreign affairs of the country have been so handled that the danger of complicatione Arising has been minimised, and, we hope, will be entirely averted. In the past year statesmen all over the world have had to bear a heavy burden of responsibility. The President of the Chinese Republic has been no exception to the general rule-fow men in the whole world have bad a inore difficult and onerous role to fill, or have shown greater sagacity in dealing with difficulties.
THE JAPANESE DEMANDS.
We have referred in the report to the Japanese claims on Chins, which at one time gave rise to some uneasiness in this country Owing to circumstantial reports appearing in the Press of the far- reaching character of some of the demands. British subjects both here and in the Enat, being friends of both countries, learnt with great satisfaction of the conclusion of an agreement between the two Governments. It is true that certain points are reserved for future discussion, but there is good reason to believe that Japan is well swars of the importance of the principles laid down in her Treaties, and that in any future discussion she will not depart from the policy she has repeatedly declared it her intention to uphold. At the siege of Kiao-chow Japan gave a much-needed lesson in chivalry and humanity to Germany when she gave ample time and oppor tunity for the women and children and non-combatants to leave the fortress before beginning the bombardment, and I think we may rely upon Japan maintaining the highest standard of honour in regard to any engagements to which she has attached her signa ture. Members will have been glad to learn that the long out- standing question of Shanghai Settlement Extension has at last been satisfactorily dealt with. Every friend of China hopes that the arrangement will result in the total disappearance of the friction which has so often prevailed in the relations between the munici- pality and the local Chinese authorities. The Chinese are as deeply interested as foreigners in the prosperity of Shanghai, and they have now an opportunity of working together in friendly co-operation for the general welfare which may prove invaluable, if they will only take advantage of it in the right spirit.
You will notice in the Appendix a lengthy correspondence on the subject of trading with the enemy-a matter which is still under discussion. The Commutten believe that in taken up they have the support not only of all British subjects in line they have China, but that an overwhelming majority in this country of those who have considered the question also agree with them. Apart altogether from German batred of England, apart from German fiendish brutality in war, from the fact that it has been necessary to expel Germans from Singapore and Hongkong, apart from the virulent and mischievous propaganda they have carried on against us in China, from the fact that Gorman merchants at Shanghai have collectively resolved to do everything in their power British interests in China, from pitiable incidents like their cele- injure bration in Tientsin of the sinking of the Lusitania carried on until 6 o'clock in the morning, and, apart from the natural repugnance to having any dealings with enemics of our country, we think it is a bad policy in our own interest to help Germans to maintain their commercial position in China. we have been doing for the last ten months. The Board of Trado has expressed the opinion that in the national interest it is undesirable that British subjects
should trade with Germans in China during the war. The Prize Court at Alexandria has decided that as Germans in China are only amenable to German law, they cannot claim & neutral domicile in in Gorman territory. Yet under the Trading with the Enemy Act, that country, but are in the same legal position as Germans resident British subjects are not only permitted, but the declared undesir ability notwithstanding, they are almost encouraged to trade with Gorman firme in China, on the plea that a German is not an enemy if he lives outside German territory. Germans have gone so far in the past as to claim that their concessions in China are German territory, but our law ignores their claim.
FOR AND AGAINST TRADING WITH GERMANG IN CHINA.
The arguments in favour of permitting trading with alien enemies in China are mainly (1) That our Allies have not prohibited their nationals from trading with Germans; (2) That German trade marks on British goods would lose their value if they were withdrawn from the Chinese markets, and that therefore British goods shipped under those German marks would lose their market; (3) that the same volume of trade with China rould not be carried on if German firms were prohibited from getting supplies in England, as British firma alone could not overtake the whole British trade with Chins. As regards our Allies not co-operating, the Committee at first agreed that this might be a disadvantage to some British shipping and Lanking interests, but of late freights have advanced enormously, and there has been more difficulty in getting ships to carry the cargo than in getting cargo to All the ships, so that this objection no longer has the same weight that it formerly may have bad. Further, we notice that France has recently prohibited trading with the enemy in Chins. The French have no doubt about Ger mans out there being enemics. As to other reasons, it may be quite true that German trade marks would lose their value if with- drawn from the Chinese market; but if buyers in China, could not got British goods under German trade marks they would soon got the goods they wanted under British marks. From the strong representation made by all our branches in Chins, we are quite satisfied that there is no sound foundation for the statement that British firms are not capable of overtaking the whole British trade with China without the participation in it of German firms. There would, perhaps, be some change in the method of carrying on the trade, but it would be a healthy change, and one beneficial to British intereats generally in China. Quite recently some very remarkable and interesting information has been received about the way in which the German trade is conducted in China, but the information has not been thoroughly investigated, and I am unable to lay it before you to-day. The Committee will follow the matter up, and perhaps at some later date will be able to communicate further information on the subject to you. The Committee hope that in the light of later information the present Government may see their way to take more whole-hearted action in connection with trading with the enemy in China than appeared advisable to their predecessors.
You will see in the report that we have taken a hand in correcting the misrepresentations spread in China by our enemies, and we hope the Chinese translation of our pamphlet will be widely circulated. Before concluding I would offer our condolence to those of our members at home and China who have suffered irreparable losses and have to endure prolonged anxiety from this terrible war. Some of our number have been called upon to make the heaviest sacrifices, and I hope it may be some little consolation to those in far distant China to know that their old friends at home feel deep and heartfelt sympathy with them. With these few romarka 1 beg to propose that the report and accounts be received and adopted. (Applause.)
Mr. G. B. Dodwell seconded the motion, which was carried.
MEMBERS' QUESTIONS.
The Chairman intimating that he would be pleased to ans WIT any questions, Mr. Hanson asked whether the Chairman could assure the members present tha none of those unpatriotic Brus who were trading with Germans in China were represented on the General Committee to be elected.
Mr. H. Salinger remarked that the Government had already ex- pressed the opinion that it was undesirable to trade with the enemy, and be thought this was the general wish of the Association and the commercial communities trading with China. If traders were not sufficiently patriotic to take note of this opinion, he urged the Committee to bring stronger pressure to bear upon the Government to prohibit nil trading with Germans in China.
Mr. F. G. Sale inquired if the Committer had any information as to the attitude of the Japanese Government in this matter.
Replying to these questions, the Chairman said with regard to Mr. Hanson's query that the Committee did not know of any of their members who were trading with Germans, and they hoped sincerely that none of them wers. In reply to Mr. Salinger's re- marks, he said that they had done all they could to bring the matter to the notice of the Foreign Office, and a small deputation had Bt.tended meeting at Board of Trade at which this question was exhaustively discussed with representatives of Chambers of Commerce and other prominent people connected with the Far East. He did not know what was the nature of the steps Mr. Salinger suggested should be taken, other than what they were doing, but if he had any definite suggestion to make they would be glad to consider it. As tegarded the question whether they had received any answer from Japan, he might say that they had received no direct information, but they understood that the Government were endeavouring to get their Allies united with then in this matter. He did not know of any answer that may have been received from Japan.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Chairman proposed and Mr. Byron Brenan seconded that Mr. G. Jamison be re-elected President of the Association. This was carried unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. Jamieson, seconded by Mr. C. H. Ross. Mr. F. Anderson was re-elected Chairman of Committee, Mr. R. H. Hill vice-chairman, and Mr. R. Chatterton Wilcox hon. treasurer. The following General Committee was then appointed on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. F. J. Abbott-Bacon Inchcape of Strathnaver, G.C M.G., K.C.I.E. Sir Claude Macdonald, Rt. Hon. KC.M.G., Sir Thomas Jackson. Bt., Rt. Hon. Sir Cecil C. Smith, P.C., G.C.M.G., Sir T. Sutherland. G.C.M.G., Sir Walter Hillier, K.C.M.G., C.B., Sir Alfred Dent, K.C.M.G., Sir Charlos Dudgeon, Mr. F. Anderson, Mr. John C. Bois, Mr. Byron Brenan, C.M.G.. Mr. F. Cornen, Mr. Goo. B. Dodwell, Mr. R. 5. Gundry, C.B., Mr. W. Harwood, Mr. J. S. Haskell, Mr. RH. HIL, Mr. G. Jamieson C.M.G.. Mr. H. D. C. Jones, Mr. H. H. Joseph, Mr. W. D. Little, Mr. C. Selby Moore, Mr. H. W. Robertson, Mr. C. H. Ross, Mr. D. C. Ruther- ford, Mr. Charles V. Sale, Mr. F. Salinger, Mr. Gershom Stewart. M.P.. Mr. H. D. Stewart, Mr. W. M. Strachan, Mr. A. M. Townsend, Mr. T. H. Whitehead, Mr. R. Chatterton Wilcox, and Mr. A. G. Wood.
[Reprinted from the Lowion and China Telegraph.]
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