The Und.Sec. Colonial Office
-2-
19/1/1916
the heat and burden of the day, wrested the business from the Germans, and so far kept it out of Oriental hands, 504 and supported without hesitation the heaviest expense and anxiety, we must add that in view of the malevolent rumours which have been allowed to spread in Hongkong and elsewhere, we must seriously consider the risk of "loss of face" which would ensue from the complete surrender of our well known
connection with this important business.
We have no objection to Messrs. Reiss & Co. in Hongkong corresponding direct with the Texas Company, and taking their instructions therefrom for the disposal of all future cargoes, or the balance of the present one, but we do not propose to hand over to Messrs. Reise & Co. a business introduced into
China through our Mr.Sanders.
It should be noted that of course Messrs.L.Reiss Bros.
& Co. and Mesere. Reiss & Co. are debarred by their agreement from ever seeking to obtain the business direct for them- selves. We believe that it is not their intention to make
any such attempt, which would be out of keeping with their honourable reputation. We are informed that they did
apply for the Texas agency in the rest of China, when another
further well known British firm declined to do anything/with it, but Messrs.Mitsui & Co. were appointed instead.
Unless therefore they can see their way to consent to
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