Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-04-10
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Letter from the AntipOdes.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
IN THE FAR EAST.

IN THE FAR EAST.
February %, 1909.
Leaving Singapore our course runs along
the island of Sumatra. the largest of the pos
sessions of the Dutch in East India. THO
a Dutchman, who was fellow traveller, we
learned that Sumatra IS, without doubt, the
richest island In the world in natural pro-
ducts 1t abounds in coal and minerals and
only needs American money and energy to
develop it, The best coffee, exceeding the
rich soil and almost the whole product of the
island is sent to the United States, who pay
the highest price. Here the tree is kept
about eight feet high and 1t is found the
ing of tho coffee, which is done daily from
March until september, and the other crops
rice, tobacco and sugar cane, need attention
at the same time, the force on the large plan.
tation which lie manages and Is part owner
requires $4,000 coolies They consist OF
Chinese and Malays; fair wages for man is
Is cents a day although very superior ONES
get II. The women get from 9 to II cents.
The Bay of Bengal presented an unruffled
surface during our entire voyage. To the
mouth of the Hooghby river the distance
from Singapore is 1913 miles and Calcutta
lies 1870 miles up this most dangerous and
difficult river to navigate. There is con-
slant dread of cyclones and q storm wave
comes in with the tide, called the bore, which
in fifteen minutes raised the river from to
IS feet. Small boats have bows feet high
running to . point and woe betide him should
he be found mapping when the bore comes
in unless he has his bow toward the incoming
tide. All ships in the harbor are fastened to
huge buoys both fore and aft In conjunction
with their anchors. The Calcutta pilots are
Englishmen of good birth, well educated and
paid and occupy b good position, much in
advance of the same calling at home.
The progress OF our boat up the river was
rather slow, due to shoals which are con-
stantly forming, and it is necessary to take
soundi-gs frequently, consequently the pilot
is accompanied by his assistant who lowers
the lead, relieving the officers of the ship of
any responsibility.
We were glad to land but not so well
pleased to be besieged by any number Of
beggars as we'll as the natives who were
anxious to drive US to the hotel. 1t WAS as
much as we could do to keep our eyes on
our luggage and and see that It was not
stolen. We drove rapidly through wide,
clean streets and along large squares filled
with flowers and shrubbery, passing the pal.
ace ofthe Viceroy to the Grand Hotel which
we found filled, but short distance below
we got good rooms in the Continent Later
in the day in comparing notes with Ypzal
anti Of Greece, In Cooks office, We found
we had struck the better hotel.
The public buildings are large and well
built and the many open grass plots and
parks 80 necessary in this hot climate add
much to the beauty of the place. On the
corner of the Esplanade are the Eden gar
deus, given to the city by the Misses Eden,
Lord Auckland's sisters. Here tho band
plays nightly and q vast number of people
promenade. while outside the ratings hum
dleds of carriages are massed together con-
tanning the wealth and beauty of this large
city. 1t was very interesting to US and SO
pleasant to hear again our own language
spoken on ali sides.