Nov.
Were it not for the fact that many of the subjects covered by the recent conference of associated British Chambers of Commerce in China and Hongkong were dealt with during the year in these columns, the resolutions passed thereat would provide plenty of texts for consideration by this paper. And if in the main these resolutions are given publicity without further comment, it is because they serve to crystallize in a most striking manner the opinions of others, besides the British commercial community in China, often not officially expressed. It may, therefore, seem something of a super-derogation to refer again to the deplorable failure, up to the present, of Great Britain to take steps in the education of Chinese on British lines. With the striking success that has attended the efforts of the United States in this matter, and the promising work in this direction now being undertaken by France, the omission of the British Government to follow these excellent examples cannot but be regarded with profound disappointment. It is true that Great Britain does not occupy the same position as America vis-d-vis of the Boxer Indemnity, as it was collected on claims previously assessed, whereas America fixed her indemnity first, settled claims, and returned the balance for educational purposes, but that does not entirely relieve those responsible from the reproach of neglect in this matter.
During this last week, M. C. Maybon, formerly headmaster of the French Municipal School, has returned to Shanghai for the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.