CO129-538-1 Hong Kong University 31-12-1931 - 6-8-1932 — Page 220

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even if the Board were keenly anxious to act upon the sugges-

tion. If it has no money to finance any of the educational

projects named in the Willingdon Report or any of the schemes

advocated in Chinese educational circles to-day, it is certain-

ly not in a position to endow Chinese professorships in Great

Britain.

handling

In spite of the many discouraging features of the

present situation, it would perhaps be premature to say that it

is quite hopeless. Given the necessary awakening on the pert

of the British Foreign Office, and a skilful and tactful handl

of the situation in China, something might even now be done to

bring about at least a partial reversion to the principles right-

ly and willingly accepted by His Majesty's Government as III

recently as five years ago. This is a matter which, if oppor-

tunity occurs, we should be glad to discuss with the Universi-

ties China Committee; and if the Committee can see its way to

use its powerful influence, and the influence of the great

academic institutions which its members severally represent, to

bring about the reopening of a question which undoubtedly de-

serves the most careful reconsideration in both countries con-

cerned, there is at least a possibility that the remission of the British portion of the Boxer indemnity will eventually pro- duce results not less beneficial to both China and Great Britain than the remission of the American portion has already proved itself to be to the HW economic and other interests of

China and the United States.

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