BR TO GILBERT MURRAY, 29 DEC. 1922
BRACERS 52382. ALS. Murray papers, Bodleian
Edited by W. Bruneau. Proofread by A.G. Bone

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31 Sidney Street,
London.
S.W.3.
29. 12. 22.

Dear Gilbert

I agree strongly with your Hongkong correspondent, and I think there is something quite obvious to be done. Apparently we have decided to follow America’s example by devoting the Boxer money to Chinese education, and the Times today advocates rather the founding of English universities in China than the bringing of many Chinese students over here. I think the Times is right, and if there is any real chance of this being done, it would be a very good thing to get able young men to go to China for a year or two to teach — and also to learn, as academic English people mostly do in China.

It seemed to me that academic English people are better able to appreciate the Chinese than any other white people. The Germans prefer the Japs, the Americans think the important thing is to spread their own moral standards, the French can’t quite believe in anything outside Paris. The English business men of course only regard China as an orange to be squeezed. For the Chinese themselves I think the English are better than the Americans, because educated Chinese are too apt to despise antiquity and their own traditions, loving only hustle and machines. So I hope the scheme suggested by the Times will come off, and that you will encourage your pupils to take a year in China. It was nice to see you the other day. Come again when you can. Love to Mary.

Yrs ever
Bertrand Russell.

P.S. My wife has written things on Chinese drama saying much what your correspondent says.