CO129-512-4 Boxer Indemnity Settlement 22-12-1928 - 9-5-1929 — Page 104

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the generosity of cur present action. I suggest that

I have discretion to try for this.

3. I am not quite clear regarding the working arrangements you have in mind for proposed educational

endowment fund: I presume the intention to be that this

should be left entirely to the Chinese: in short that

as stated in one of your earlier telegrams they should be put on their mettle in carrying out the programme outlined in the Willingdon report. I am opposed to our being mixed up in this and thus in any way being responsible for any departure from that programme.

4. As to time of approach the sooner we act the better. If the general election is in June the time is

already short.

5.

As to any scruples regarding "open tenders" we

are handing back to China some £9,000,000 (ultimately £11,000,000) of British tax payers money and if China

elects to expend it on British material why should she not? Or why should we go out of our way to prevent her?

6.

As to board of trustees the less we are concerned

with handling money once it is surrendered the better and the less likelihood of recriminations later c.fxAmerica and China Foundation The best plan would seem to be to sound Minister for Foreign Affairs. If he proposes such aboard

we could agree or at least consider his ideas.

As any board would almost certainly be subservient to the govern- ment it does not prima facie matter much whether the money

I

goes....