THE REQUEST IMPUDENT

Western Star, 9 April 1920, Page 2

THE REQUEST IMPUDENT

AND RETORT DISCOURTEOUS. AUSTRALIAN PAPER SNUBS THE HUN. Frightfulness overborn, the German ; reverts to bis “peaceful penetrationdiA tactics, quite unabashed and cheerful. The proprietors of the Perth ‘ Sunday Times ’ received recently the following missive: Berlin S.W. 19, Krausenstr, 38-39, August 20, 1919. To the publishers of the ‘Sunday Times,’ Perth, re Scale of Charges - and Specimen Copy. Sirs, —Considering the re-opening of commercial relations between our countries, our • Advertising Agency has already received a number of inquiries concerning advertisements in your press. Therefore, we asln you to kindly let us have by returning mail, registered: 1. A complete scale of charges showing your rate for ordinary and , small advertisements in two copies if possible. 2. A number of latest specimen copies of your publication stating the highest commission you will allow us through our (medium. 3. Kindly address both to the . Ala Allemeiue Anzeigen Gesellschaft m.b.h., Auslaudsabteilung, Berlin S.W. 19 Krausenstrassa 38-39. And for reference to bona fides, the names of various Germans firms were supplied. Over the signature of the managing directors, thei ‘ Sunday Times ’ ’ reply was:' 24th January “1920. Gentlemen, —Your letter of the • 2Gth August last has reached us. Lot us say right away that wo are not greatly surprised at receiving it. The toughness of the German hide is proverbial, and your letter proves it.

Here we are busy receiving our boys back (from the front, after giving your Bodies a good never-to-be-forgotten beating, and you have the cool cheek to write to us for our prices for the purpose of resuming business. Herr Hum, there isn’h enqugh money in the whole of your country ,to buy an inch of spade in this paper, so you need not trouble us ,auy more.

We may tell you that not only do we not desire your trade, but it is also our policy to discourage business with you as much as lies in our power, andl we shall keep a sharp eye on any attempt to foist your goods on this part of Australia.

There is a great joke in your letter. We refer to the offering of names of German firms, as'a guarantee of your bona fides. But who will guarantee the firms you mention? We would not take their word for a brass pfennig. Nothing doing.