CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916 — Page 654

The Under Secretary of State

Hay 4th, 1916. 653

ready because of Hessra, L. Heiss Bros. à 0o.'s unjustified attitude.

This sable, which I ventured to dispatch to you last night,

renda:

Beiss

"Referring my letter twentyfirst April, now reporti cansed Hongkong Bank (to) cable (their) manager New York (to) call (and) urge Texas Company (to) agree (to a) direct contract Refus (Texas Co.), excluding my Company, under threat (that) Bank will not handle cargo, shortly due (in Hongkong), unless (this) direct contract (ia) made stop.

Then follows aerious statement: "Hongkong Government refuses port and dable facilities any agenoy in which Sanders Rehders Company concerned" atop.

Flesse consider that Hongkong partner, director Hongkong Bak and (in) alone touch with (Hongkong) Government, accepted (on) fourth March Texas contract jointly (with) my Jompany, that we offered high- er commission than he accepted, and that only London partners dissent #top.

Interests (of) Texas Company, Hongkong Bank, my Company and British interests and prestige generally, serimaly injured by Zeiss illegitimate attempt (to) enforce acceptance (of) their unjustified demands, perséstance will most probably divert business and finan os (inte) nonbritish channels stop.

Texas desires authoritative denial (of) Hongkong statement con- earning my Jompany, kindly assist onefourone bodyworda,"

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and this sable, read in conjunction with my latter of the 21st April fo

which I referred (and which has probably reached you a day or two before

the receipt of my cable), will have shown you that Mesars, Reisa in Londen,

have actually attempted, underhandedly I regret to have to add, to cause

the Texas Company to make a direct contract with then, without including

my Company.

This attempt they do not hesitate to make in spite of their

Mr. Holyoak's acceptance of a contract Jointly with us (subject to the

consent of his home partnera); and in spite and in breach of an agreem

ment with my Company, which binde both the London and Hongkong firm; not

to attempt or consent to acquire or to accept the Texas agency or sub-