CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 523

[

I

105

5.

9.

三膑

522

*

F

sufficient guarantee for a continuance of such agency at least

for most people.

Secondly, the Texago had become doubtful even of my

own Company, their old friends, because of a rumor in Hongkong

that they were going to be declared a "German" firm. This in-

formation wes cabled the Texaco by one of their travelling in-

spectors who happened to be at the time in China. Reiss's

Manager (Folyoak) is on the Committee of the Hongkong Chamber of

Jommerce, which is probably responsible for this rumor, as it was founded, apparently, on a suggestion by that Chamber (as

circulated in one of its confidential reports). In fairne 59

to Holyoak, I add my belief that he was in Japan at the time.

But what position and what action did he take after his return to

right this reckless, if not malicious, slender ?

Thus the natural and obvious question arose with the

Texa00: If a "British Company", incorporated in England, may,

because of the curious reasoning of certain Hongkong people,

be possibly declared a "German firm", how long will a firm of

German origin, and with such a pronounced German name, 98 Keiss,

be safe?

Bence their desire from which nothing can and will

move them to have the assurances of H.A. Government and of the

Governor of Hong kong that political expediency will not at some

time hereafter necessitate an interdiction for Reiss & Co. to

continue trading; although I thought, and cabled to Carroll, that

I would probably be able to induce the Texeco to do without this

assurance,

You see, dear Sir

what all this leads to.

Naturally, I tried my best to satisfy the Texaco in this

regard and passed on to them my partner's cable:

"Governor prepared recognize Reiss our agents Hongkong

Canton, Colonial Office recommends arrange promptly."

adding to my letter:

"From this it followe of course that neither the Hong kong