a).
b).
Note on HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.
29.7.31.
The Secretary of State asks the Committee -
83
To "suggest any special line of inquiry that the Universi ty
should be advised to pursue.
For "guidance or information regarding the possibility and
desirability of attracting Chinese students from Hong Kong to
British Universities and workshops.
H
c). "Regarding steps that might generally be taken at home for bring
ing the intellectual life of Great Britain and China (Hongkong)
into closer contact."
Twenty years ago as Governor of Hong Kong I was deeply impressed
with the immense effect which was being produced in China by the
returned Chinese graduates from America
1). Politically. Imbued with ultra-democratic theories of a Western
type they inculcated the Chinese youth in the Colleges with
revolutionary ideas, and in my view were the main cause of the
Revolution and 20 years of subsequent Civil War.
2).
Economically. Graduates from American Universities with enginee
ing degrees were eagerly sought after for the Railways and evers
other kind of Public Works which at that time were being fever
ishly pushed forward. The se young men were familiar only with
American methods and used only American standards and designs.
Naturally, therefore, all orders were placed with American firs
of which they had confident knowledge.
America encouraged Chinese students to go to American Universities.
They were made much of there. The Boxer Indemnity was remitted and
used for this purpose.
The British feeling was the reverse.
Not only were Chinese discour“.
aged from going to England, but there was (and still is to some ex-
tent, I am told), a definite feeling against the higher education of
Chinese, due largely to a fear that they would supplant British.
So disastrous did this state of things appear to me alike as
regards British influence for good in China, and from the point of
view of our trade, that I took up the project of a University, though
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