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 we delay too long we may be forced to give battle on ground chosen by our opponents, who might prefer the approach via the Leased Territories or Kowloon,
At our Meeting, Sir Herbert Eason 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 ploading this than when U.N.O. is to the fore and the Government strongly in the saddle and pledged to U.N.0. support?
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