CO129-576-5 Hong Kong University 13-6-1939 - 23-11-1939 — Page 64

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is for this reason that I am interested in your attempts

to improve the British University in Hong Kong". To

hear our modest institution so entitled, makes one blush

for its inadequacies. It is discreditable to us when it

is compared with the better Chinese and American foundations.

These are now dispersed, largely destroyed, and so we

have another, and probably a last chance, of giving back

to China some thing of value in return for the wealth we

have taken out of the country, and, what is of vastly

greater moment, of gaining a valuable friend in the

East. The recognition of the Imperial Government would

naturally take the form of an annual grant to the

University for general purposes or for scholarships for

Chinese. We do not ask for a large amount, but for

that public recognition of our usefulness which would

enable us to go with far greater confidence to ask the

help of the richer Chinese.

Of the Universities, we want help in

the recruitment of men who may do credit to British

scholarship both on the permanent staff and in leave

vacancies.

There are great practical difficulties, but

I hope that some men in the English academic world will

look at this matter as good imperialists also.

I have written at inordinate length

and have said only part of what is in my mind. Perhaps

you will let me come to see you later in the month to

explain, not more at length, but perhaps with greater

precision, what we are aiming at.

Yours sincerely,

Signed)

D.J. SLOSS.