CO129-524-2 Hong Kong University- financial position- Chinese studies- future of the Chinese school and the Annual... 27-1-1930 - 12-8-1930 — Page 45

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uation, peculiarly well-fitted to participate and even to take the lead."

Faculty of Chinese.

"This University (as you know) proposes, when funds permit, to organize within itself a Faculty of Chinese such that Chinese students may take a degreee in subjects which will assist them in their official or professional careers in their own country. It should be no longer the custom that a Chinese, whom his parents wish to train in western knowledge, must travel at a youthful age to Europe or America and spend ten or more of the most impressionable years of his life away from China, returning with a veneer no doubt of western culture but a most lamentable ignorance of things Chinese. This University would be a far better train- ing place for such men and, while pursuing here their academic studies, they would also be able to see for themselves how Great Britain governs and develops a Colony of which the population is mainly Chinese. Thus they would come to realize that the political education of a people cannot be crammed, that freedom is not to be snatched by sudden revolution but 'slowly broadens down from precedent to precedent,' and they would then be better fitted to show their fellow-countrymen how to restore and to maintain law and order. In a word they would learn the lesson of patriotism.

Patriotism Not Enough.

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"But a noble saying, spoken in the face of imminent death, warns us that 'patriotism is not enough! From the centre of home and hearth, and far beyond the bounds

of their native land, the love of men and women must widen to clasp the earth. 'Within the four seas all are brethren,' said Confucius: and we do well to lay these words to heart, for patriotism in many countries and in this China is no exception has often meant nothing but hatred of the foreigner. Here again the Hong Kong University must set before itself the high ideal of bringing about a sincere understanding, not only between the British and Chinese races, but between all the races inhabiting and frequenting this most cosmopolitan of all colonies. Doubtless in the years that lie behind us East and West have often been grievously at fault when dealing with each other; but conscientious examination and a true comprehension of all the facts will inevitably bring with it a spirit of conciliation and of mutual forgiveness. Tout comprendre