To the Editor of the "Norta-Cuina Dairy News."
Sir,—I have read with the deepest interest the leading article in this morning's paper urging that the British Government should release money from the Boxer Indemnity for the furtherance of British university education in China. All Englishmen who take an interest in education for the Chinese will wish you success in the effort you are making.
I will venture, however, to raise the question as to whether from the same source aid might be given to union universities in China. Peking and Chengtu Universities, and Canton Christian College are all on a union basis, one or more British societies co-Operating. But perhaps the Shantung Christian University at Tsinan will best illustrate the point I wish to make.
This University owes its existence to the work of the English Baptists and American Presbyterious. The schools. and colleges of these two missions throughout the province of Shantung were brought together to form its nucleus; but to-day the Church of England (S.P.G.), the Canadian Presbyterian Mission and the Wesleyan and London Missionary Societies are all cooperating as well as several American Mission Boards. The medical school of this university is a very strong one. Its influence is being felt all over China.
As a member of the Field Board of Managers and having a fairly intimate knowledge of the inner working of the University, I may say that British and American professors work most happily and helpfully together, and every effort is made to keep a fair balance in the appointment of deans and president. At the present time the retiring president is American, the acting president, British. The dean of the schoo] of medicine (now on furlough), is British, the acting dean is American, The dean of the school of arts and science is American, the dean of the school of theology, Canadian. Where it is possible for Americans and Britons to get together on a union basis they can do most excellent work for China, and I think that all possible encouragement should be given to such movements. The University has an American and a_ British Board, meeting in New York and London respectively. These Boards watch its interests from the home base.
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting the British Joint Board and was interested to see that Sir John Jordan, as well as representatives of most of the large missionary societies, is a member of that Board. The University already owns an estate of about 100 acres in a singularly beautiful
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.