CO129-507-1 Proposal to dispose of Boxer Indemnity funds- claim by Hong Kong university 21-12-1927 - 24-7-1928 — Page 68

(F.6623/6/10).

NO DISTRIBUTION.

Cypher telegram to Sir M. Lampson. (Peking).

Foreign Office. 6th December, 1928. 4.0.p.m.

No. 373.

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68

Your telegram No. 1393 (of November 28th: Boxer

Indemnity).

Following plea on behalf of Hong Kong University

has been received from Secretary of State for the

Colonies. Please telegraph observations. Begins:

It has been suggested that accumulated deposits

might be used for the assistance of Hong Kong Univer-

sity. These funds would enable the University to be-

come,

as it was originally intended that it should, a

great centre of both Chinese studies and Western Educa-

tion for the Chinese.

Its proper development has so

far been prevented by lack of funds. It is urged that

there can be no question that this is an object of

mutual benefit to Great Britain and China, especially

when the help given by the Chinese, official and un-

official, in the foundation and maintenance of the Uni-

versity is remembered, and that if the unpaid balance is surrendered unconditionally, such assistance to the Hong Kong University is the only way of ensuring that some part of the Indemnity shall be devoted to the im- provement of education in China. The secure establishment of the University would, it is argued, at the same time enhance our prestige and influence both now and perman- ently, far more effectually than a gesture of genero- sity which would only too soon be forgotten. It is hoped that it might also have the same effect in encouraging British trade as American influenced education has in en- couraging American trade. I should be glad if Sir M. Lampson could be asked to telegraph his views, particu- larly as to the effect announcement of this allocation of accumulated deposits coupled with announcement of sur- render of future payments would have on Chinese opinion. Ends.