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6
CHINA REPORT
The delegation was also instructed to convey to the Universities of China the friendly greetings of the Universities' China Committee on behalf of the Universities of Great Britain.
We reached Shanghai on September 30th, 1931, and during our short preliminary stay in that city we were given opportunities (partly through the hospitality of Mr. G. E. Hubbard, of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) of meeting and discussing educational affairs with a number of Chinese returned students from British and other universities and with other representative Chinese and British residents who were interested in the purpose of our visit to China. From Shanghai we proceeded, early in October, to Tientsin, Peiping (Peking) and Tsinan (the capital of Shantung), all of which contain some of the leading educational institutions in China. During the next two months we visited most of the more important universities and colleges of north and eastern China, including Tsing Hua, Yenching and the National Government Universities of Peiping, Nankai and Tientsin, Cheeloo in Shantung, the Central (Chung Yang) and Nanking Universities, various universities and colleges in Shanghai and its neighbourhood, and Lingnan and Chung Shan Universities at Canton. In accordance with instructions, the colony of Hong Kong and its British University were included in our itinerary, and from its vice- chancellor and staff we obtained valuable assistance and information. Of the Seven Christian Universities" of China, which are at present evolving a system of federation, we visited four-Yenching (Peiping), the Shantung Christian University (Cheeloo) in Tsinan, the East China Federated University with its affiliated institutions (Ginling, the Nanking University, Soochow University and Hangchow Christian College) and Lingnan University (formerly Canton Christian College and still usually so designated by foreigners) in Canton. The only" Christian Universities" we were unfortunately unable to visit, though we received cordial invitations to do so, were those of Foochow (the Fukien Christian University), Central China University, Wuchang, and the West China Union University at Ch'êng-tu in Ssuch'uan. From the administrative and teaching staffs of all the institutions visited, as well as from the students, we are glad to record that we met with nothing but kindness, hospitality and friendly interest. We had hoped to see something of the educational work being done in the Three Eastern Provinces (Manchuria), but it was found impossible to carry out this part of our programme owing to the political crisis in that region, which caused the temporary closing of the North- Eastern University (Mukden) and other educational centres, and disorganised the railway communications.
INTRODUCTION
7
All three members of the delegation attended the meetings of the Fourth Pacific Conference as members of the British group. Preparations had been made for holding this Conference at Hangchow, but circumstances connected with the acute tension then existing between China and Japan made it advisable that the meetings should be held in the International Settlement of Shanghai. During the sessions of the Conference, which sat from October 21st to Novem- ber 3rd, we had the great advantage of meeting many of the leading educationists in China and of discussing with them various problems of mutual interest. While attending the Pacific Conference, therefore, we were able simultaneously to carry on the work which had been entrusted to us by the Universities' China Committee.
In a letter addressed by the Chairman of the Committee to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the administration of the indemnity fund, it was stated that in addition to carrying out their duties as specified in the above-mentioned terms of reference, Pro- fessors Adams and Roxby were also prepared to give lectures at various academic centres. Throughout the whole period of their sojourn in China (extending from September 30th to December 5th) the educational life of the country was in a state of ferment and excite- ment, owing to the situation created by Japanese action in Manchuria, and normal work at most of the schools and colleges throughout the country was seriously disorganised. Nevertheless the welcome given to Messrs. Adams and Roxby was most cordial in every instance. The lectures given by them were usually attended by as many students as the various auditoria could accommodate, and were listened to with eager attention. Had they been able to prolong their stay in China they would have found ample occupation in accepting the numerous invitations which reached them from many parts of the country. They will submit separate reports giving details of their lecturing tours, the subjects on which they lectured and the institutions whose invitations they accepted. Meanwhile they are glad to take this opportunity of expressing their appreciation not only of the warm welcome accorded to them by the various academic authorities, but also of the friendly attitude of the students and the evident interest shown by them in the subjects on which lectures and discussions took place.
Professor Roxby embarked at Hong Kong for England on November 24th and Professor Adams and the Chairman followed on December sth. The two latter arrived in England on January 8th, about a fortnight later than their colleague.
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