CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918 — Page 18

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As "Il Truciolo" Carol are manufacturers of hats and straw plait, it is not apparent why they should seek to import tobacco.

Germann & Co. has undoubtedly tried to ship knotted hemp to Truciolo via New York (T.L.0892) and as late as October 2nd, 1916 (unless this is a clerical error for 1915, as it may be), Germann & Co., Manila, appear to have written to the Hamburg House referring to a letter written to Truciolo on September 23rd on the subject of a dispute over a matter of exchange.

And on 23.5.16, Everett Heaney radioed to Germann & Co., Hamburg:

"Have shipped New York nine thousand kilos hundred forty fifteenth April Dubler refuses payment telegraph him instructions market advanced send orders bases Batangas hundred sixty five can only ship New York" (2086 $).

It can hardly be doubted that the following message dated 26.5.16 from Charles Pfister, Wohlen to Dubler, New York, furnishes the answer to the request in the last mentioned message:

"Honour my behalf documents Knotted hemp reship all Boclete Suisse surveillance economique Marseille if necessary funds not available cable amount".

This in itself would indicate that Pfister and Herman Dubler were acting in very close connexion with the Hamburg firm.

Herman Dubler is shown by a message dated 13.5.16 to be intermediary for Germann & Co., Manila (Telegraphic address "Federation") (T.L.0892).

He was also intermediary for G. Martini, Manila, in that firm's communications with the United Export Co., and was refused cable facilities for attempting to deceive the Censor (Mr. Harrington, Manila Desp. 40 of 30.12.15).

He is reported to have been representative of Han. Pottstock of Bremen (Italiani.I. 27.10.17), and his willingness to serve German principals is shown by the following wireless message dated 25.11.16 (1843 H) from the Deutsche Bank, Berlin to its New York representative, Hugo Schmidt:

"Wire character responsibility financial standing Herman Dubler Cotton Exchange and whether trustworthy for winding up business affair amounting 600000 dollars."

Considerable light is thrown on the hemp transaction by an intercepted letter written on the 5th May, 1916 to Antonio Froixus, Manila and sent via Petrograd and Siberia and through the intermediary of Gustavo de Vivanco, Manila, who is shown by T.L.08927 to be a clerk of Germann & Co., Manila. This letter (T.L.03836), which was unsigned, appeared to be written by Germann & Co., Hamburg, and confirmed acceptance of an offer by Froixus (who is cover for Germann & Co., Manila) (Mr. Rentiera, Bat. Manila D.7. F.7. 8.2.17) of 3000 kilos of Indang hemp at 140 cents per kilo cif New York, the drafts to be on Herman Dubler, Cotton Exchange Building, N.Y. It added that there was a new order for Pfister.