Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-21
A CHANGE FOR |0NANS
Uncle Sam Wants Ten Young
Men to Learn the Chinese
Language.
Will Be Sent to the Orient
and Paid Salary OF
$1,000.
An Opportunity to Enter Govern
ment Service With Chances
for Promotion.
to Times Republican.

will be appointed to desirable positions
carrying a salary of $1,000 under the
United States government, With head
quarters in Pekin, China. Citizens OF
Iowa, between the ages of is and sc
years. Will be eligible, in fact it is UNI
| derstood that geography will not be
considered in the matter, and the entire
| ten may come from Iowa should theil
examination record justify such app
pointment.
The diplomatic and consular act
passed at the late session of congress
provided fol ten Interpreters TO China
who shall study the Chinese language
under direc ion of Minister Conger, OF
Iowa.
The increasing commercial import
ance of the United States in China has
made it expedent that important con-
sulates be provided With Interpreters
who shall be native Americans. Here
tofore it has been found necessary to
depend upon interpreters of other ma
tionalities. and the service has not been
entirely satisfactory.
The ten students must devote them
selves to q study of the Chinese Lam
Suage for two years. During the two
years they shall engage IN this occupa-
ton exclusively. Quarterly examina
tons at the United States legation will
be held with a view to determining
progress made.
AT the expiration of the two years
the. student having then acquired a
fair knowledge of the Chinese Lam
guase. may be detached and assigned
to duty I'm any of the consulates in Chi
ma under the United States govern
ment. They may be assigned 10 do 9TH
er official work than acting as inter-
prefers.
AT the expiration of two years stu
dents may he granted two months va
cation annually (probably in addition
to time consumed in ocean passage)
during which time their salary Will
continue. The actual expense involved
in acquiring the Chinese language must
he borne by the student, altho the sal
airy begins at date of appointment. and
expenses to China will be borne by this
government, 1t is said.
These ten student Interpreters are to
be appointed by the president after an
examination. The examination will be
under direction of the secretary of
state, who will designate three persons
who shall constitute board of exam
ination. The secretary of state will
prescribe the subjects to which exam
nations shall relate and the general
mode of conducting the examination
Immediately following the examination
the board will report upon each case to
the secretary of state. The subjects to
which the examination shall relate will
not be technical nor consist of catch
questions. 1t will pertain to matters
of general education, such as wel-in
formed persons are naturally expected
to be familiar with.
Upon receiving an appointment a
student shall enter into an agreement
with this government to remain in the
service for period of ten years
No further details in connection with
this special service have as yet been
worked out by the state department,
but it is likely the examinations will be
conducted this fall, and the appoints
ments will follow Immediately and the
successful students will sail at once for
In Washington the opportunity is
considered an especially desirable one.
The expense of living in China is rela-
lively so small that a salary of $1,000
would undoubtedly be equivalent to
$1,000 in this country. The position car
ries practically life tenure of office,
if desired. and the opportunities are
admittedly large.
After the language is once fairly
we'll in hand and the active duties be-
gin, the service will not be burdensome,
in fact 1T is likely to be exceedingly
congenial and desirable. Tie field for
ambitious Americans will be ever Wild
ening. The interpreter service may be-
come but the stepping stone to impor-
tant accomplishments in the future.
1t will be recalled that w. w. Rock
hill, who. Immediately following the re-
lease of the ministers from the British
embassy, two years ago, WAS dispatched
by this government as special COM
missioner to China to take charge of
the interests of the United States While
Minister Conger was endeavoring to
restore his shattered constitution, was
enabled to secure this important as
sgnment by reason of his familiarity
with the Chinese language and Gus
toms. Mr.. Rockhill started in as an in
terpreter. He not only thoroughly fla
miliarized himself With the language.
but studied the history, traditions and
customs and peculiarities of the people
until he was Very much of a Chinaman
except as to nativity and desires.
AS a result, when there was urgent
e.,
with the situation and who understood
how to handle the Chinese the depart
ment Instantly turned to Mr.. Rockhill
and he was appointed upon this mission
at compensation very satisfactory, to
say nothing of the prestige gained dur
ing the negotiations. Mr.. Rockhil is
the gentleman whose name has been
in connection with the post
of minister to China. While 1T is not
likely any change in that post is con-
templated even in the near future, it is
we'll known that the secretary of state
looks with great favor upon Mr.. Rock
hill, and undoubtedly considers him
qualified to take charge of the work in
with this important mission
That Mr.. Rockhill covets the post at
pekin there can be no question. and the
fact that he is regarded as capable to
fill the position simply proves what is
possible for any young man who is
willing to improve the opportunities
placed al his disposal.
Senator Dolliver haa occasion to re-
quire some information touching the
Chinese question during the winter
and called upon Mr.. Rockhil. The lat
ter not only loaded the senator down