CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931 — Page 51

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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am told), a definite feeeling against the higher mivomtion of

Chinese, due largely to a far that they would supplant British,

Se disastrous did this state of things appear to re alike as

regarde British influence for good in China, and frew the peint of

view of our trade, that I took up the project of a University, though

the majority of British opinion was onposed to it. Its salient

characteristics werei. It was residential; English was the medium

of instruction; Chiasse from China and elsewhere were welcomed; it

was affiliated to Oxford an. Cambridge and students were discouraged

from going to Zagland until they had graduated and their characters

were to a large extent formed.

It had been our hope to create a Chinese Faculty with the

object of training men fer high administrative and political office in

China who would act as a counterpoise to American influence; but

though supported by both Fekin and Canten wie made generous contribu...

tions and sent students, this hope has never been fulfilled, and the

University has been in ohronie financial difficulties. The siram-

stances of its foundation precluded sa adequate endowment. This was

a risk deliberately recepted2

Apezt from # sum of 215,000 to pay off debts owing to the

University by Chinese students, a map of £250,000 only has been

sup

allotted to the University from the Boxer Indemnity. (Er, Amary I thinke

was in favour of at least a million). The interest on this sub would

be £10,000 at most, and this will not muffice to do much more than

meet the existing deficit due to the fall in silver which has halved

the aaleries of the Staff, nnd provide some scholarships. The Hongkong

Government which now gives a very honvy milevantion (#380,000) is

unwilling that a new faculty (5.8. Chinese) should be started unless

assured that it will be self support ing.

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