46
And had
educated in England, were even invited to a meal.
Chinese students met Europeans of the rougher sort in the
town and not behaved with what was thought proper
humility, they might have had disagreeable experiences.
In the last few years the British community has
changed its attitude and there is much more social
The remark
intercourse between Europeans and Chinese, but the point
which I wish to emphasize is that, to the best of my belief,
the Chinese students at no time found their position in
the University difficult or disagreeable.
quoted was made by a provincial Governor a long way from
Hong Kong and I never neard that the students themselves
made any complaint of the treatment they received.
were apparently as happy and contented as the students of
Ching Hua College, an important American institution near
Peking financed, I believe with money obtained from the
American Boxer Indemnity.
They
I venture to point out that the strong influence
of America in China is in great part due to the number of
students educated in this and other American establishments.
Not merely do they acquire American sympathies, but the me re
fact that they study practical subjects like engineering
under American tuition directly affects trade because when
they leave College they are disposed to recommend American
methods and machinery.
I believe that in regard to the indemnity our
legal and financial position is not quite the same
as the
Americans but I regard the Hong Kong University as one of
the most important and most practical means of spreading
among Chinese sympathy with Great Britain and as deserving
all the funds which His Majesty's Government may be able to
allot to it.
(Sgd.) C. Eliot.
July 2. 1928.