CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2] — Page 439

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and there would be no antagonism with the University there, which would naturally draw its students from the Southern Provincos.

The sum required to equip and endow the University is estimated at from £300,000 to £400,000. The mercantile Houses of China, having recently contributed be counted upon for any sericus freely to the Hongkong University, cannot subscription, and the appeal is therefore made to His Majesty's Government to divert sufficient funds for the purpose from the Boxer Indemnity payments.

The China Association desire to represent that in their opinion such a grant of funds would be not merely an act of generosity which would be responded to by all the best elements in China, but also, looked at from a selfish point of view, an act of high policy which at no distant date would bring its own reward. It would show our sympathy with China in the present critical circumstances, and it would be a boon to the people of these provinces, in which we are more closely interested.

For these amongst other reasons the Committee venture to express the hope that His Majesty's Government will see fit to support the scheme in the manner indicated.

H.M. Under Secretary of State

for Foreign Affairs,

Foreign Office,

Downing Street, S.W.

I have, etc.

(Signed) F. ANDERSON,

Chairman.

DEAR SIR,

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Treasury Chambers,

Whitehall, S.W.

23rd July, 1914.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had before him the Memorial of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce asking for a grant from Imperial sources in aid of the proposed University in Central China. In reply I am desired by him to say that the Government had occasion last year very carefully to consider the question of giving financial assistance to this project, and that although the proposal to establish a British University in China and by this means to promote British influence and interests in that country is one which commands their sympathy, they were unable after & careful raview of all the circumstances to see their way to accede to the request.

Mr. Lloyd George notes that no effort appears to have been made on the part of the promoters of the scheme to find by private effort any part of the sum required. If, however, it could be shown that a substantial proportion of this sum can be found from other than Imperial sources, he would be prepared to bring the matter again to the notice of His Majesty's Government.

Walter Speakman, Esq., Secretary,

Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) B. P. HAMILTON.

Treasury Chambers,

Whitehall, S.W.

24th July, 1914.

DEAR SIR,

With reference to the representations addressed by the China Association to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in regard to a grant from Imperial sources in aid of the proposed University in Central China, I am desired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to forward for your information a copy of a letter on this subject which has been sent to the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

The Secretary,

The China Association.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) H. P. HAMILTON.

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