File 1283/1913 Pt 5 'MESOPOTAMIA TRADE Issue of new Trade Report' [‎94r] (183/270)

ineffective in the light of a new generation’s need and aspirations. Ex
pediency and self-interest will weave afresh the old economical and industrial
ties. Our position in Mesopotamia will, however, be absolutely differentiated
from the sphere of trade competition in China owing to the administrative hold
which we shall have upon the country. The policy now being worked out for (
the protection of British trade in India will presumably be applied in
Mesopotamia and will form a stout protection. At the same time, the political
danger will not have been entirely eliminated, and it is, therefore, incumbent
upon us to realise and profit by the lessons of the past while preparing ourselves
at the same time to take full advantage of the great commercial possibilities
of the country.
14. It is probable that the disparity between British and German com’ British and German
mercial methods to which attention was drawn by Mr. Lloyd and the existence metilod8
of which in a greater or less degree cannot be gainsaid, must be ascribed partly
at least to deep-seated racial causes. Every German was drilled by his Gov
ernment to fill his appointed place in the vast machine which evolved and
controlled the political and commercial destinies of his country. He was willing,
nay fanatically ready, to dedicate his whole being to the great enterprise which
he hoped would win world dominion for his country and rich rewards for him
self. Merchant, official and ship-owner all played their,part in the trade struggle
through which Germany hoped to secure political paramountcy. In England,
on the other hand, the individual is always slow to adapt himself to any kind of
organisation and he is generally unmoved by the idea or conception underlying
the particular function which he is performing. He does not seek to correlate
his own activities with the manifestations of his country’s commercial or political
development and in the conduct of his trade he obeys the promptings of his own
interest or predilections. While quite willing to sacrifice his comfort for his
duty’s sake, he retains a firm hold on his leisure and his amusements, and he
has strongly marked 'ideas as to his private rights vis-a-vis his employer or his
Government. In the Gulf, in particular, German employes were content to live
for their work and to find in it their recreation and hobby as well as their
business, while the Englishman, whether merchant or official, had learned from
experience that recreation in the form of sport was essential for the mainten
ance of his health and the efficient performance of his duties. The Germans
wnuld perhaps have realised this also, had the test extended over a longer
period.
15. It cannot be denied that the German inspiration created a high
standard of business efficiency and, if we wish to rival German trade enterprise
in the future, we must hope that our business men will be inoculated with
Some of those qualities which built tip the marvellous structure of German
commerce all over the world. Their educational system doubtless had a
good deal to do with it and great changes are, it is believed, about to
be introduced in England in this respect. Enough has been said, however,
to indicate that the shortcomings pointed out by Mr. Lloyd were not pecu
liar to the individuals and firms engaged in British trade in Mesopotamia and
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The Beport of the French Chamber claims precisely
similar failings for French merchants and the explanation is that German
business methods were more thorough and efficient before the war than those
of any other nation. The whole question will doubtless come under general
review in England, and it is to be confidently anticipated that the new spirit
of earnestness which will animate the Empire generally and British manu
facture and trade in particular after the war will result in greater efficiency
of production and distribution, and a more scientific and practical system
of commercial intelligence. So far as Mesopotamian trade is concerned,
recriminations, whether justified or not, would serve no useful purpose. A new
era will set in after the war and many robust and enterprising firms both
English and Indian will invade the markets keen to grasp a share of the
rewards that await properly directed enterprise.
16. For the guidance of intending British competitors, stress may, Suggestions for
however, be laid on a few special maxims. In the first place, strong, com-
petent and well paid staffs must be provided, and all Europeans sent to v rk IK1 * ILe ° a3 “
in the Gulf, as a preliminary, must have a sound business training in England