CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3] — Page 346

1

341

40 BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA versely on genuine British trade and political interests.

That some of the Germans themselves had an inkling that their peculiar methods. were not likely to lead to any profit, is proved by a remark in a private letter from one partner to his fellow partner in a branch office. Translated freely the re- mark read: "It seems to me we should be better off all round if we adopted the ideals aimed at by our British competitors, who work on the assumption that a labour- er is worthy of his hire." One feels almost sorry for the worries these plodding merch- ants have had. Individually many of them were fine fellows and good company, and there is certainly no "hate" felt by the British on account of their misdirected commercial efforts in the past. In the light of events disclosed by the liquidations, one of General von Bernhardi's statements

BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA

41

reads most strangely. In referring to the great debt which British Colonies owe to Germans he adds naively:-

'The fact that we make a profit out of English trade has nothing to do with the matter. We owe that profit to our own industry!"

i

ווי