1915-05-08 — Page 8

THE HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.

THE VALUE OF THE GERMAN COLONIES,

BY

J. Ellis Barker in the "United Empire."..

After the war the German Colonies will presumably changa hande. A future Pauca Congress will settle their fate. Meantime, it segins worth while to consider britfly their value and their futura"possibilities,'

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1915,

N

COMPANY MEETING.

The Taiping Estates.

Shareholders representing 88,- 738 shares were present at the second annual general meeting of

CUSTOM'S REVENUE

M. Casenave's Views,

"

frue.

the

wisely, magnificently, and lavish- The exploitation of tropical and very much larger. The tax on ly. At the same time it strove sub-tropical colonies depends diamonds is so high-it came to to prevent speculators from ex-largely on the native workers. £330,000 in 1913, the only year ploiting the colonies to their own There are plenty of artives in the which figures can be given that advantage and to tho harm of German Colonies: Their native a very large portion, perhaps the future generations. Exactly as population comes in all to about large portion of the output, is the German officials strove to 14,000,000. About 9,000,000-amuggled out of that colony, create in every colonial town alive in East Africa, more than The export statistica give, of little Berlin with wide and straight 3,000,000 in Cameroon, mare course, only a feeble indication of

M. Casenave, a member of the avenges and substantial perman- than 1,000,000 in Togo, and near the possibilities of the German ahareholders in the Taiping Rub-French diplomatic service, 10- ent buildings, they strove to ly s million in New Guines. On Colonies, They show that the ber Estates, Ld. (1913), which sently favoured a Washington prevent the exploitation of the the other hand, the population of exports of East Africa consiat was held at the Palace Hotel correspondent of the New York people and the waste of the South-West Africa, the most chiefly of rubber, sisal hemp, Shanghai, Mr. Brodie A. Clarke Tribune with his views on the colonial resourses by the most valuable German colong, la ex-copro, hides and skins, coffee, prasided, and was supported by commercial outlook in China. the words "quelquea arpenta de minute regulations. Traders, tremely small. In this territory, ivory, and raw cotton. Toe ex-Messrs. E. S. Kadoorie and J. The following extract from the neige," The few no os of snow" plantere, prospastors, and in which is nearly three times as ports of Cameroon consist chiefly Frost (directore.}

report of his remarks will be of contain at present about 3,000,000 dustrialists were restrained in large as the United Kingdom, of rubber, palm kernels and palm Taking the report and accounts interest to many of our rendere, white men. In a few decades their activity at every turn by there are less than 100,000 natives, oil, cocoa, ivory, and timber. as read, the Chairman addressed" One hears much of China's their population may exceed that Government regulations which and the country is almost a de Those of Togo consist chiefly of shareholders as follows:- financial condition, and there o France. In a century Canads were rather adapted to the limited sert. By a high-handed and palm kernels and palm oil, rub

With regard to the report, there are those who believe that she is may be one of the world's Great natural rescuress of Germany, brutal policy the Garmane ber, raw cotton, and 2008. Thoss is very little for me to call your even now facing a condition ap- If we look at the map the Ger- Powere, and, compared with that and to the dooility of the German brought about a rovalt of natives of German South-West Africa attention to farther than the proaching bankruptcy while still mau Colonies appear to be small, Dominion, France may be an un-population, than to the vast ex a few years ago. Its soppression consist chiefly of diamonds, oopplanted area is the same as for in dire need of funds for purposes and they are certainly small in important country.

panacs and the bracing atmosp- was effected by exterminating the per, lead, and bides and skins. merly and the census of trees is of reorganisation. I do not „size il compared with the gigantic All the German Colonies, here of the odlonies. Moreover, rebel tribes in a campaign which Those of New Guinea consist likewise the same, the only dif- think this is

colonias of Great Britain. How South-West Africa alono excepted, the Reichstag was dissatisfied lasted several years and which chiefly of copin

ference is that the trees are now owes much money to ever, siz is a relativa term. If are situated in the Tropies. At that the colonies, were run at a coat Germany £20,000,000. By During the last few years the one year older. The cost of ou side world through Icans of the we compare the area of the Ger present the value of tropical land loss, and clamoured that the the folly of the Government and development of the German weeding bas been unfortunately past and the Boxer indemnity, man Colauios, which look so small is extremely anal if compared polonies, not the motherland, by the incompetence of the officials Colonies has progresssl very re somewhat high, but this is so but China's resources are auch as on the map with that of the with land situated in the moderate should find the money necessary who had been sent to that colony, markably, Between 1901 and counted for by the excessive rain to enable them to bear the harden United Kingdom or of Germany, zine. However, its value is for their development. En- the totally insuficient number of 1012 the number of exttle in fall which you will see was not of many more loans. The last re- we find that they are by no means rapidly increasing. Year by year deavouring to make the colonies native workers was thus "very South-West Africa has increased less for the year than 177.93ins organisation loan of $25,000,000, as unimportant as is generally the densely populated countries sall-supporting, andaly high greatly reduced..han from 53,000 to 172,000, that of or an average of 14,83 inches per is scoured by the salt monopoly, believed. The German Olony situated in the moderate zone taxes were imposed in order to The German population in the sheep from 103,000 to 485,000, month, and this naturally has I could be a source of large of East Africa is more than three have to increase their supplies provide roomy to was, magnificent German Colonies is small. In while goats have increased from increased the coat of production; revenue, but its hypothecation times as large as the whole of the from the boundlea Tropica. The Government offices, broad high- German East Africa there were 103,000 to 459,000, horses from but still you will note from the does not mean that China has no United Kingdom. The second atilisation of the Tropica has roada, railways, schools, and a in 1912 4,866 white people, of 3,000 to 13,000, asses and mules report that the cost of production further scoarity upon which to largest German calony, South-soarcely begun. A present the numerous body of officials. The whom 3,579 were Germans. In from 8,000 to 12,000, and works out at 1/1 per 1b, for 1014 borrow the money she needs. I West Africa, is nearly three times Western nations draw from the consequence was that those who Cameroon there were in that year pige from 1,000 to 7,000. Dur- against 1/52 for 1913.

China's customs revenues were au large as the Unitel Kingdom. Tropics only certain produce for intended to settle in the German 1,537 white people, of whom ing the last few yearse number of The accounts are drawn up in increased the receipts would be Cameroon is almost exactly two special purposes, such as rubber, Colonies found their activities 1,359 were Germans. In Togo ostrich farms have been started. very full detail and practically ample security for large sume. and-a-half times as large as the vegetable oils, timber, spices, & circumscribed at every stop by there were 345 whites, of whom In the other colonies very large give you the exact position of And they should be inoressed. United Kingdom. Grmaa Now Before viry long Europe may have well-intentioned but unsuitable 316 were Germans. In South- numbers of polne, banana-trees, your property. However, you They are ridiculously low now. The Gaines is somewhat larger than to depend on the Tropica vory Government regulations, and at West Afrios there were 14,816 coood-trees, coffee-trees, &, bave will no doubt expect a few re tariff, however, cannot le raised Eugland, Wales, and Scotland largely for its food and clothing, the same time they were grossly whites, of whom 12,135 were been planted, and as most of marks from me relative to same. without the consent of the Powers, combined. Tog is somewhat and perhapa for ite minerals and overtszod. Men who went out to Germans. In New Gaines there these have been planted only dur- First I will take the balance as the receipts are already pledged larger than ireland. The total timber as well: The deadly exploit the agricultural or mineral were 822, whites, of whom 665 ing the last few years they are sheat which is drawn up in the to secure the Boxer indemnity and area of the Garman Colonies is climate of the Tropica tecomes wealth of the German Colonies were Germans. In the colonies only beginning to yield. Daring asual manner and shows the posi

certain loans. The Chinese them considerably more than eight from year to year less deadly, ex- "had to wait months and often enumerated there were together the next few years the production tion of the Company at December selves, however, favour an in- times as large as that of the actly as the terribly severe climats years for permission to work. To- only 17,000 Germané. Of these of the German Colonies should 31, 1914. You will notice in the crease, and there should be no United Kingdom, more than ten of Germany and Britain, about tensive exploitation was made nearly 2,500 were white soldiers, increase very greatly. times as large as the Transvaal, which Július Caesar wrote, is no impossible by the Government and nearly 700 were white police.

The value of colonies depends which was the cost of the new the money desired without bother assets the sum of Tla. 15,781.50, difficulty in bringing this about. If this is done, China can borrow two-and-a-half timea as large as longer terrible. Your by year policy of preserving the natural There were besides a large body not only on their productivity, on factory erected in the early part all the States of the South African the Tropica are becoming more resources of the country unimpair of German oficiale, German their soil and their climate, but of the year. You will also notice ng about the salt tar, which is Union, 50 per cent. larger than accessible by the advance and the ed, and frequently tax-collectors schoolmasters, missionaries, &c. also on their position. A glance that the profit for the year amount-

cumbersome security in some Mexico, and alightly larger than oben peling of transport: A few demanded high taxes from men The Tropical Colonies, aro prin- at the map of Africa shows thated to Tle. 23,308.83 and that the account of the difficulty the whole of Argentine. These centuries ago, when transport who bad invested their whole sipally inhabited by planters, the German Colonies occupy, cash balanos in the Bank at Tai- the Government encounters in comparisons show that the Gar-was very, primitive and expensive, capital, who derived an income traders, and their workers. In commercially and strategically, ping and Shanghai amounted to collecting the taxes in far off and man Clonies, far from being only light and relatively precious from their investment, and who German South West Africa, on very important positions. Hit-

inaccessible provinces." small in extent, are relatively wires could stand the high cost of were waiting for returns. More the other hand, there is a consider- berto, Germany has been able to account shows the various items Tis. 9,933.64. The development large and important possessione. carriage. The Dutch and Engover, the development of the Ger- able body of farmers.

hamper the development of the for state expenditure and Shing- The widely held belief that the lish traders of firmer centuries man Colonies was hampered by Although the white population British Afrion Colonies by a bai exponges which amount to Tls. German Colonies are inall is were chielly occupied in fetching a high-handed policy towards the of the German Colonies is quite policy of obstruction. When 12,748,13 and 1 may here mention 100, New Factory at the value of thence spices, precious stones, natives. Serious revolts broke insignificant, they contain a re- German East Africa is no longer that the proportion of Shanghai Tia, 100, Tools and Furniture at The German Colonies are fre- gold, silver, silk, o. To the old out, and prevented peaceful work, markably large number of post German, Cecil Rhodes's dream of expenses has been re iuced very the value of Tis. 100 and hsvo quently described as poor or is Batavian or Bristol merchants it Lastly, the settlers were dis- and telegraph offices, schoole, & railway from Ospa Town to considerably. This has been written off the balance to develop worthless. They are certainly would have seemed inconceivable appointed with the social con- In 1911 East Africa had 76 post Cairo can become a reality, and agreed to between your Board of ment account. By this means not a paying proposition. Hit that a day might come when Eog-ditions prevailing.

and telegraph offices, Cameroon the Congo State will acquire's Directora and the Eeoretary and the net revenus, less the sum due herta the German Colonies have land and Holland would largely In the New Berlins in Africa had 52, Toga 32, South Africa valuable outlet towards the General Managers until such time to sundry creditors, will be oost the Motherland far more than depend upon South Americs and and elsewhere they found, to their 143, New Guinea, 12, East Indian Ocean. Hitherto, Ger they have brought in. From the Ladis for grain and meat; that great satisfaction, the German to Africa had 1,391 schools, Came-manga pasion of South-West as the Company should be on a entirely for the benefit of abare- point of view of the shopkeeper the trade in spices, and especially bacco and the German beer to roon 4, Togo, 368, South-West Africa has provented, the Britial dividend paying basis. The work holders and the writing off for or of the average invester they areia pepper, which was formerly a which they were accustomed; bat Africa 20, New Gaines 574. In Colonies obtaining a much-needed expenditure for saperintendence, abeent.

ing account shows other various depreciation will practially be certainly worthless. Oldusit, most valuable and much-envied they also found the paternalism, Togo the number of schools was outlet on the African Weat Cast weeding, tapping, curing, ship- Output of Rubber-You will is a mistake to apply the ordinary monopoly, would be cumparative- the bureaucratic absolutism, and sotually greater than the number la ccurae of time Walfisch Bay ping, etc., etc., and the balancs note that the estimate for 1912 standards of value to land, and ly worthless and unimportant. the social shackles from which of white settlers. It is obvious may become a very important carried to profit and loss account was 80,000lbs., the actual output especially, to land possessed not The German Tropical Colonies they had hoped to escape in lear that the wall number of Ger- barbour, perhaps a second Dar- Tie, 23,425 57. Unfortunately was 82,009, or an excess of 2,000 by short-lived men out by a nation may appear, worthless, or almosting Germany. Germans who mans dwelling in the German ban. which hopea to live for ever The worthless, to the present genera- went to their colonies. wished to Colonies will facilitate their

through a printer's error the behe estimate for 1915 is As soon as the Garman Colonies balazoe is entered as bilance 100,000 lbs. and I trust at the ordinary investor expects to have, tion; but a time may come, and lead there a free life as free men, development by another Power, are freed from the blight of Ger carried to profit and loan account end of the year there will also be earlier or later, a return for his probably will come, when they but they soon discovered that in There will not be a large body man bureaucracy, which has instead of balance carried to profit an excess over this amount. outlay. He cannot afford to buy will be exceedingly precions. the colonies also men were con of German irreconcilables, who, stifled them with rad, tape, they and loss account.. property which entails a con It is quite true that Germany sidered not only according to their fa course of time, may benome a will by self-supporting. The

Mr. A. M. Marshall who had siderable loss and which may not has ran her colonies at a loss, but real worth but by their birth, danger to the new owners, number of sattlers will rapidly Profit and lose account: This been & Director of the Company yield any return for generations. this is largely due to the fact that official position, and title. The Although the German Colonies be increased when the countless shows a balance at credit of Tls since the beginning of 1919 re- The State must apply different she has not tried to run them for wife of a Government official, have been badly mismanaged, vexatione regulations have been 35,325.27 which your Directors signed on August 7, 1914, on his standards in investing in land. gain. In her colonial policy even if the husband filled only they have gone uhond very fast abolished. Production and trade recommend should be dealt with leaving for home. The population of the world bis Germiny has not locked to im- a very minor position, asserted because of their magnificent lat will advance by leaps and bounds, Bh follows been increasing at unprecedented mediate profit. She has managed her superiority over the wife of ent resources. Between the years and before long the German speed daring the last hundred her colonies for the benefit of fature an able merchant who did not 1903 and 1913 the taxes provided Colonies may prove exceedingly. years, and it will presumably generations, regardless of im- rejoice in the possession of a by East Afrion have increased valuable to their new owner continue for a long time to increase mediate returns, and she has uniform. Men who left Germany from £180,000 to 2690,000, those J. Ellis Barker in United Em at a similar rate. Steam and steel done so with excellent intentions, in order to frea themselves from provided by Cameroon from Pire. have opened up continents and bus with very little skill. The eternal restraint found that if they £100,000 to £450,000, those of islands which formerly emed al- Germans are generally considered wished to lead a free life they had South-West Africa from £110, most uninhabitable by white men. to be good business men. They to go to English Colonies. Alt 000 to £780,000, &c. The exports Year by year the population of the have spent in their colonies about those circumstances combined and the railway takings show a Colonel B. R. Davies O.M.G.write off development world increases, and the available €100,000,000 That enormous ected sa a very serious restraint similar progress. Between 1906 who has been appointed a Brigade land becomes relatively lese, and capital has been sunk in them in to the development of Germany's and 1911 the exports of East Commander, with the temporary therefore increases in value the expectation that it would overses possessions. However, Africa have increased from £550, ed his commission in the Oxford Linds which formerly were con- fructify in a more or less remote notwithstanding all these hamper-000 to £1,120,000, those of Clime-ght Infantry in August, 1884, rank of brigadiergeneral, obtain sidered to be worthless have be fature. The colonies were laiding influences, the German roon from £500,000 to $1,000,- come precious. In the time of ont regardless of expense. The Colonies developed rapidly be 000, those of Togo from £210,000 and has gommanded the 2nd Batt to be a somewhat unusual course Proposed by Mr. Kadoorie, and Gross Booteermany, and German Government endeavoured cause they posses vast possibili to £465,000, those of South-West 1998, honors Non Unidad, to purine, but your Board of scou Great were supposed to not only to create model colonies, ties.

Atrica from £19,000 to $1,430,000 1906, he went to North China as Directora have very carefully con- Mr. Frost be elected

mandag seconded by the Chairmaz—That Possess such a rigorous and on, lut to found a New Germany I have spoken with mony Of course the exporis of South: la General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade sidered the situation and as the director of the Company for pleasant climate that they were orase the sea. Where an Eng planters who have come bick West Afrios suffered very greatly Colonel Davies took part in the estate is now all planted up and considered as countries amitable lieb Government would have been from Cameroon, German Esat in 1908 from the rebellion. It Burmese Expedition in 1887-8 no father money is required for Only for savages, but not for onl-asisfied with a straggling village Africa, and German, South-West will be noticed that South-West and in the Tirah Campaign, when development they consider that tured Romans. Not very long and a shanty, the Germans built Africa, and have received from Africa, which contains only few In 1000 ho was a Special Service down everything to practic he was mentioned in despatchea, this 176 favourable time to ago Canada and all South Africa ap substantial town and a them most enthusiastic accounts. thousand natives, bas the largest were believed to be worthless, or Governors palace surrounded by The German Colonies possess not exports. They consist chiefly of Officer in China, for which he has very nominal sum, and almost worthless, to Europeana. a park. Tu its colonial policy the only rán

In 1911 the diamonds the medal, and he also served in what they recommend you excellent soil bat vast dismo When France Caded Canade to German Government pursued a mineral and timber i

ted were valued

the South African War, receiving seo that we leave the old England, Voltaire sneeringly re- twofold sim. It endeavour which as yet have

Queen's medal with four ferred to the Great Dominion in developing the cou ty to act practically unutilised,

erroncoda.

•

action

Col, H. R. Davies C, M. G.

Tls.

10,000.00

Ques ions were invited, bat none being asked the following resolutions were put to the meta ing and carried-

To pay a dividend of 5 per cent. on Tls. $200,000

Proposed by the Chairman, and write off old buildings 000.00 seconded by Mr. Kadoorie-That write off new factory 15,881,50 the report and statement of the write off tools and

Company's accounts for the period furniture

570.30

ended 31st December, 1914, as presented to the meeting, be 8,167.47 approved

Proposed by the Chairman, and 85,325.27 seconded by Mr. Frost-That a dividend of five candareens, equal to 5 per cent, he paid to share-

"account.

Total Tis.

This may appear to some of you holders,

inge at the

to write

ensuing

Proposed by Mr. A Lambert,

and seconded by Mr. A.

That Messrs G Phompson be

at an

man an