248
Personally I can't imagine a finer approach to the general question of Hong Kong than that offered by the future of the University. If the Chinese prefer hostility to great gifts and friendship over the University question it would be they and not we who would be made to appear churlish. Let the try-out take place on favourable issues and ground which suits us and let success lead on to the greater issue in a good atmosphere, in which we would be assured of good friends and advance publicity.
If the Foreign Office delays too long they may be forced to give battle on ground chosen by their opponents, who might prefer the approach via the Leased Territories or Kowloon.
At our Meeting, Sir Herbert Mason took the view that we could make recommendations without involving a diplomatic approach; but if we are to get money on a large scale for Hong Kong, I think that cultural and international prestige would be one of our main arguments, and what time better for pleading this than when U.N.0. is to the fore and the Government strongly in the saddle and pledged to U.N.O. support?
Though I have marked this Confidential you are free to pass it to Cox or to Mr. Creech-Jones, if you think it worth while.
Yours ever,
(Sgd.) G. Moss.
Kuo made a remark which interested me. He urged me
to revisit China before Chian K'ai-shek got too old and retired. He gave him 5 years! Perhaps he is ageing.
I brought Kuo to C.K.-s's notice when I practically rai the International Red Cross in China in 1937-8 and he knows that Chiang wanted me back. But that is all over.