CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 525

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paying us return ex gommission Texes sllowe agreed carry on Panama (cargo), remuneration to be settled direct corres- pondence Hongkong."

their demand

inoredible as it seems to me even in face of this cable is nothing but an attempt to practically eliminate us, the very people to whom they owe their introduction to this Texas business! In fact, they wish to cut as off with a shilling they do not even tell my partner what return ex their commission, under a supposed contract with the Texaco, they are gracious enough to allow us!

Not only this, but they expect me to put forward a de- mand of a three year's contract which, as they are well aware, the Texaco has not only refused to others, but is the very demand which lost these others and thereby British interests the valuable Texas Agency for the North of China. I am really des- pairing of such unreasonableness to use no harsher and more

descriptive word.

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Not only are they going right against the spirit of our understanding, in fact upsetting its fundamental basis, but, as to the second part of Carroll's cable, they are furthermore up- setting the clear arrangement as to the disposal of the "Panama"

cargo.

This arrangement was that the new rate of commission should not come into force for this, the Panama, cargo. Of oourse, owing to Cheetham's resignation, greater work will devolve upon Reise, and, bearing this in view, we at once offered them that we would, of course, have to pay them the equivalent of Mr. Cheetham's salary for the time that the cargo was being sold out; much desired by Reisse as this resignation of Chee them is in fact they have unquestionably, if unconsciously, helped to bring it about. To be precise, we offered three months which very amply provides for this contingency. Moreover, Cheetham is being paid hex $500 a month, an amount which Reiss will probably not pay their own men who takes Cheetham's place and will do his work.

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