TRADING WITH THE ENEMY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XL, Issue 11387, 2 October 1915, Page 2

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY.

TRAITORS IN THE CAMP. DUTCH GREED FOR GOLD, The London Daily Express correspondent at The , Hague in a recent article said:— “Those who imagine in view of the severe measures adopted by the British Government to prevent all trade with Germany that such trade has ceased to exist, do not know the cunning and trickery of the Germans. German products continue to find their way in large quantities into England, where they are easily distributed, to the great profit of the enemy. “A great number of Dutch business men have received letter’s from German manufacturers asking them to use their influence in procuring the admission of their products into England. One of these communications was couched in most seductive terms, and the commission promised was nothing less than magnificent. The person addressed did not reply, his hatred of the Germans being stronger than his desire to make money. In this letter the proposal was made that certain German articles should be imported into England under the name of a well known Dutch firm, whose trade mark was to be substituted tor the original German mark. In this case the attempt failed, but there are many who have readily accepted these tempting -offers. IMAGINARY FACTORIES. “With the object of defeating the vigilance, of the Consuls, who require to be furnished with certificates of origin of all goods intended for export to England, certain Dutch tradesmen have established imaginary factories. Into these places a number of workmen have been drafted, whose principal task is to make as much noise as 'possible, so as to make people believe that there is a considerable amount of work being done. The whole of the activities of these men, however, are confined to the changing and manipulation of the packing of these goods, so as to give them the appearance of having a neutral origin. The Dutch authorities readily give certicfiates testifying to the authenticity of these goods, while the precautions taken by the Consuls are too often of a most perfunctory character. ‘ ‘Before the war there was, of course, a certain stock of German merchandise stored in Holland. These stocks, have, however, long since been exhausted. Nevertheless, the clever tradesmen who act as intermediaries contrive to satisfy the Consuls that goods which in reality have but recently arrived from Germany have been Dutch property from a period prior to the war. Not alone are old invoices employed but the Germans ever supply their intermediaries with invoices that are antedated. BAPTISED AS DUTCH. “Dutch business firms which had long ago ceased all manufacturing procedure are now rearranging their workshops, but let there be no mistake. The output—if there be any output at all—is not oy any means in proportion to the quantity ot merchandise that leaves the warehouses. A little is produced, certainly, but only just enough to allow the bulk of the German goods being baptised as Dutch. Incredible though it seems the Germans are actually selling back to England gold—that is the leaf gold so largely used—which originates mainly from that country. The metal having been exported from England to Holland is there mixed with alloy by the German dealers and subsequently sold again under a Dutch trademark to England, were this depreciated leaf gold is purchased again in gold coin. COMPLICITY OF BELGIANS. The writer adds:—“lnto German occupied Belgium, too considerable quantiites of German goods are being introduced by Belgians in Holland—to their shame be it said—who have sold themselves to the enemy. In the same way much German merchandise finds its way from Holland to England thanks to these Belgian traitors to their country. These goods enter England as of Belgian origin but in reality they are German. “Here indeed is work for the Consuls. It is, of course, impossible to stop all commerce with a neutral country. That commerce should be honest, however,' and not be carried on to the profit of a country which converts every penny thus gained into a mortal weapon against Britain.’’ .