-2-
Relations with
China.
5679
and their characters were to a large extent formed.
(Fuller particulars are available in various printed
Memos. if desired.)
21
It had been our hope to train men for high administra-
give and political office in China who would act as a
counterpoise to American influence; but though supported
by both Pekin and Canton who made generous contributions
and sent students, this hope has never been adequately ful-
filled, and the University has been in chronic financial
The circumstances of its foundation pre-
difficulties.
cluded an adequate endowment.
accepted.
This was a risk deliberately
2. The cordial relations between the Chinese Government
and the University were shewn by the subscriptions from
Pekin and Canton to the Endowment Fund, and later by the
establishment of scholarships the Pekin Government.
Twenty students were drawn from various provinces and
trained as teachers. All returned to China, but as the
University was unable to recover the fees, this successful
experiment lapsed. Free scholarships were later offered by
the University, but had to be discontinued in 1925 because
of the troubles in China. It is very desirable that thest
contacts should be revived and that the University should
continue to train teachers for China. At present "educa-
tional policy in China is for all practical purposes con-
trolled and directed from Columbia University, U.S.A."
Professor Forster, (Education Branch, Arts Faculty of
the Hongkong University), has been good enough to furnish
me with up-to-date information regarding the present rela-
tion of the University with China. He writes:
"The University already has established close relations
with China in the following ways:-
1. Through its students who have come from the in-
terior and who now occupy important positions in
China.