It is a world-trade question, a terrific struggle in economics, this getting rid of the middleman, the drone, and it is therefore still an unsettled question in China. The compradore and shroff exist, although many foreign commercial travelers, especially Germans and Japanese, are selling direct to the Chinese in small lots. Many of these compradores have become notable and able men, especially those employed by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Again, some compradores have tricked the foreign agent and company with all the legerdemain of a conjurer. That is, instead of inducing the foreign agent to bring out large quantities of oil, flour, etc., we shall say, in time for a high market, the compradore, with his Chinese alliances (or conspirators, shall we say!) induces the agent to get stocked in godown when a low market suddenly drops on him. The compradore shifts and says the market will drop lower still, and the agent authorizes the compradore to sell quickly. The compradore sells to himself by dummy, and the oil or flour suddenly rises. The agent is mad clear through, but if he changed compradores every time this happened he would change so frequently that his concern would lose prestige with the Chinese. The Chinese compradore will bleed you, but he will not knowingly bleed you to death. Of all ornithologists of trade, he does not believe in killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. He only plucks the goose occasionally! I have heard tales which, if they are true, would indicate that the Chinese compradore is not alone expert in legerdemain, but that the foreign agent sometimes “stands in” with him. There certainly are some mountain palaces and a princely ménage on the hills of the sumptuous Far East that the savings from an agent’s salary, or an unexpected legacy never bought. In trade and in politics, as well as in religion, “by their fruits ye shall know” compradores, agents, and every one else! Successful companies operating in China, with foreign managers and with the majority stock in foreign hands, but using Chinese money also, are the following incorporated or joint-stock registered companies: Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (British and German). Indo-China Steam Navigation (British). Peking Syndicate (British), Shansi and Honan anthracite coal. Anglo-French Syndicate (Yunnan mines). Anglo-French Land Investment Company. Hongkong Land Investment Company. Hongkong and Whompoa Dock Company. Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Dock Company. Green Island Cement Company (Hongkong and Macao). Société Anonyme du Luhan (Belgian), s. e. Shansi coal. Tientsin Land Investment Company. Tientsin Gas and Electric Company. Tientsin Water-works. Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company. Hongkong Cotton Company. Hongkong Rope Company. Hongkong Dairy Company. Chinese Engineering and Mining Company (British), Kaiping coal mines.