CO129-576-5 Hong Kong University 13-6-1939 - 23-11-1939 — Page 77

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(e.g. Engineering, Public Health, Education)

X

As regards duplication with an eventual

Malayan University, r. Sloss did not think there was

any real danger of this. The only substantial

duplication would be in the matter of an Institute

of Public Health, but he thought that Malaya was a

large enough unit to support such an institute

catering for the needs of Malaya alone.

Mr. Howe then explained the Foreign Office

must be

attitude. The foundation of the scheme.

co-operation with the Chinese Government, hence these

proposals presuppose a friendly Chinese Government.

This of course depends upon the outcome of the war:

to take the worst possible view, if Japan wins then a

Chinese Government would be forced to employ men

trained at Japanese Universities rather than at

Hong Kong.

Chiang may, however, succeed in

maintaining an independent Chinese administration in

Western China, in which case the present scheme would

afford him valuable support. The present basis of

British policy towards China being to give her what

assistance is possible, in principle the Foreign Office

are sympathetic towards the present proposals;

moreover the provision of this form of assistance to

China at Hong Kong University is not open to the

political objections of a scheme to support Chinese

currency, for example. This then was an admirable

basis on which to continue practical assistance to

China; and even if Chiang succeeded in maintaining his

sovereignty

3.