355
68 BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
The British merchants could have handled this trade every whit as well as the Ger- mans, but it is significant that they were never given a chance.
There was only one German bank in Hongkong when the war began, and this was promptly put under control by the British Authorities. It cannot be said that the Germans were materially helped by their own banks, and it is significant that most of their business was done through British banks, and with the help of private banking institutions in London. As already shown, they outrageously abused the trust reposed in them by our banks, and also the trust and trading privileges given them by the Government during the first few months of the war. These matters had better be put carefully on record, and used to influence the facilities we shall give them if they come back and attempt trading on a large scale after the war,
BRITONS V. GERMANS IN CHINA
69
:
In the science of advertising one would expect to find that the Germans were supreme. We are so frequently reminded of our failure to advertise in the language of the country that it will come as a sur- prise to many to hear that the Germans did practically no advertising in China at all. Perhaps the reason is to be found in the fact that their price-cutting had been carried on to such an extent that there were no surplus funds available to expend in such luxuries as this. Beyond a few spasmodic and feeble attempts, they did nothing to increase the popularity of their wares by advertisement. Certain it is they accomplished nothing which could in any way compare in thoroughness and mag- nitude with the organised advertising campaigns carried on by certain British T. bacco, Soap and Milk Companies. In any Chinese newspaper it will be found
Page 360Page 361
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.