TRADE RELATIONS WITH GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 59, 3 December 1919, Page 8

TRADE RELATIONS WITH GERMANS

A STINGING REBUKE. In reply to their delicate overtures seeking to re-establish the 1 old trade relations with business houses 111 England, German firms occasionally receive a rap over tho knuckles. Here is an example of correspondence which has passed between the firm of Trumps, Ltd , ear.ying 011 a seed business at Barnstaple, and a Gerninn firm at Langen-WeddiD-gen. It originated with the receipt of a catalogue of vegetable and (lower seeds. Trumps, Ltd., sent this pointed letter by,!; to the German firm:—

"Evidently you imagine that we Englishmen have short memories, and that we have learnt no lessons from the war. Tho ruin of Belgium and Northern France, the unspeakable misery of tho inhabitants of those devastated areas during the German occupation, the murder of civilians, the sinking of passenger nnd other ships, the snooting of sailors wrecked as a' result of your submarine attacks, the introduction of the use of poison gases against our soldiers, the crucifixion of soldiers, and a thousand other barbarities which you, as a nation, committed—all these have placed yon beyond the pale, and it is to bp hoped that you, who have not realised your position as the outcasts of civilisation, may receive plenty of suitable replies to your astounding audacity in attempting to resume business relations with this country. We have no doubt that von will soon learn that Englishmen do not exactly regard you with friendly feelings. Tho writer of this letter and another of the principals of this firm will carry to their dying days the marks of injuries resulting from servieo which will be sufficient! to keep us .reminded of your existence; wo shall not need catalogues for this purpose, thank you!"

The. German firm was stung to a reply, wdrich is not characterised by eucli attention to iilio niceties of our language as used to be tlio custom; but n does not omit to return to the purely business point of view before the end. After referring to "the work of a corrupt, lying l'i7 : s, who has poisoned the public opinion," the letter continues - .— "It is astonishing to see that English people, who will be one of the most intelligent nations, has faith in sueli foolish, slmpid, and impertinent swindle as these stow* of killing wrecked sailors and crucifixion of soldiers. Truly the war lias had many atrocities; but a-; well on your side as on German side, and at last, do you know that by your hunger blockade more than a miliion of women and children 'have been killed by your nation! It has no pnrpos; to dispute such matter, but we assure that the relations between English and German merchants are to bo renewed, passing over all absurd hate.' Each reasonably man thinks: I have defended my country's liberty a; well as each other. Isn't an English proverb: 'Right or wrong - , my country'? We are overflowed by American. French, ,°.ml Italian nierclnii-di.-;s. and. English, too. We bep to r»nicmber tint 100 marks are to-day M. e'lc von wll sc» Iha I: 100 marks can nurch.ise as few first-class seeds, carefully grown, as in Germany."