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The University is, of course, short of scientific equipment and books, but is managing to do a fairly creditable educational job under difficult conditions. The medical students are perhaps suffering most from a shortage of teachers and of technical equipment, but strong efforts are being made from both Chinese and American sources to improve the quality of medical instruction.
In addition, the University suffers from the chronic ailment of insufficient funds, left over after setting up the new physical plant, to pay anything like adequate salaries to the professors already there. This is due at least in part to the tremendous wartime inflation that has occurred and that, unfortunately, is still continuing. This inflation makes any salary scale in Chinese dollars set up at the beginning of the year quite inadequate before the academic year is over. However, despite the difficulties outlined above, Lingnan University is a "going concern" that we expect will continue to carry on the major educational effort for the whole of Southeastern China.
I have suggested that, in view of existing conditions in this area, the authorities of Hongkong University may find that the best solution for their wartime existence will be to join forces with Lingnan at Kukong. By pooling our joint resources in personnel and funds, if you have any of either available, it may well be possible for both our organizations to do a better job than would otherwise be likely.
In any case, the trustees and officials of Lingnan will, I can assure you, be only too glad to facilitate any work of Hongkong University, and thus to reciprocate in a small way for the assistance previously given them in Hongkong.
If, after your Committee has met, it wishes to communi- cate or discuss this matter further with me, I shall be glad to meet with you while I am in London. As I advised you, I expect to be here for perhaps another ten days before returning to the United States. Then on my return you can communicate with me care of the Department of State, Washington 25, D. C. Also, for your information, the permanent office of the American trustees is at 150 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and the name of the secretary in charge is Mr. Olin D. Wannamaker.
H. B. Hoskins.
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