19. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. F. Tiarks has been appointed financial adviser to the military governor of Cologne; is this gentleman a director of the Bank of England and a partner of Schroeder Brothers, of London; what is his connection with Schroeder Gebruder, of Hamburg; and whether he is aware that he is a grandson of a Lutheran clergyman in Germany?
Captain GUESTGeneral Sir Herbert Plumer applied for a civilian adviser of financial and commercial experience to assist him on questions of a non-military nature affecting the occupied territory and Mr. Tiarks was selected for appointment as Ciyil Commissioner in view of his special qualifications. Mr. Tiarks is a Director of the Bank of England, and a partner not of Schroeder Brothers but of J. Henry Schroeder and Company, of London, a purely British firm established here in 1804. Neither he nor his firm is connected with Schroeder Brothers, nor with any other German firm. His grandfather was born in Germany, came to England as a young man, lived there the rest of his life, and married an Englishwoman. For further information as to Mr. Tiarks' services in the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer of the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on 26th July, 1917.
Colonel BURNKnowing the state of public feeling with regard to enemy aliens, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would have been advisable, to select a British subject without any alien blood in his veins as being far more likely to give advice which would be in the best interests of this country?
An HON. MEMBERIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Mr. Tiarks is rendering valuable assistance to Sir Charles Ferguson, the Military Governor of Cologne?
Captain GUESTI have looked very carefully at the reply given on 26th July, 1917, in which the whole of his services in the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve have been set forth at great length and reflect the greatest credit on his performances.