of
50 BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
specially to favour the method of obtaining their business by means large secret commissions paid to Chinese officials and others, there is at least this to be said concerning the morality of such a proceeding. To the Chinese mind there is nothing wrong about the method. Prior to the revolution in 1911 which resulted in a republican Government for China, all officials were paid such small salaries that it was quite understood they were at liberty to supplement their incomes by means of all kinds of "squeezes." From the officials down to the lowest coolie "squeeze" is a recognised feature of Chinese life. Since the revolution an attempt was made to pay officials remuneration for their services which would obviate the necessity for them to receive bribes, but the old custom has been too strong, and it cannot be said that any permanent improvement has been manifested in this respect.
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From the foregoing it must be observed that the moral principles involved by the employment of such methods constitute a nice point in China, however certain we may feel that European trade has no room for such practices.
The Germans have apparently nothing in China to compare with the Engineering Laboratory of the Hongkong University. This has been furnished in a most complete manner by British engineering firms who have given numerous engines and appara- tus in a most generous manner. Many gave freely without an idea of getting any return for their generosity, but naturally some will ultimately benefit, because the students, when they later on become pro- fessional engineers in China, will wish to have machinery with which they have been familiar. Yet we shall no doubt again be told that British engineers have neglected to push trade in China.
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