Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-07
HON Hz FROM CHINA
MR. E. T. WILLIAMS TELLS OF HIS
-ySlsfs Z e-'se i -.
EXPERIENCES.
Travelled on Trans Siberian Railroad
Thinks This government Should
Have It's Own Translators.

Mr.. E. T.. Williams, who Is connected
| with the United States legation at Pekin,
| was in the city t6day. He has just come
from his post in China on leave of alb
sence. and is on f1fs way to his home in Co
lulnbus. Ohio He had the novel experience
| on his homeward trip of riding over the
railroad which IS Just being completed by
the Russian government and passes through
Manchuria, connecting the Trans-Sioerian
railroad with the seaport at Port Arthur.
AS is we'll known, the latter place is under
the control of the Russian government, and
the railroad connecting It with the great
railroad system in Siberia is likely to prove
an important factor In the development of
the country -
The line at present Is not regularly opened
to the public One of the, large bridges is
not yet completed, and In consequence Mr..
Williams and his party were obliged to
travel rather slowly.
from the Siberian line through Manchuria
will be ready for regular service about the
LIST of July. The distance is some 200
miles, and as the rate Of travel in the
greater than twenty-five miles an hour Mr..
Williams had ample opportunity to admire
the scenery as well as to become somewhat
acquainted with the country.
wide valley, and the road also passes
through corner of the Cobb desert. -Four
classes OF cars are provided. The fourth
class passengers use ordinary box cars,
with hunks attached to the sides. 1 he
travellers are supposed to bring their own
bedding, and even those who travel in the
other cars find; 1t more comfortable if they
have their own blankets and pillows.
The train stops at stations where food
prepared in the simple Russian style is
| substantial and wholesome and can be OBJ
tanned. Cabbage soup is one Of the items
In the bill Of fare, Mr. Williams observed.
Travelling Not Expensive.
Travelling is NOT expensive. as Mr.. Will
Jams states he paid only $50 for a distance
of about 1000 miles The scenes presented
while passing through Siberia, especially
the western portion, reminded Mr.. Will
Jams Of what he had seen some years ago
in the western part Of the United States,
when the country was being opened up for
settlement. Emigrants coming into
Siberia from Russia and are starting small
towns along the railroad. There are OPP
portunities for. those who wish to engage
in agriculture while the mountains are
rich in minerals of all kinds.
Mr.. Williams, who has been fifteen years
in China, has such a familiarity with the
language that his official connection with
the United States legation is due to that
fact. He Is the translator or all CORE
spondence received by the legation in the
Chinese language. He says that it is not
difficult to bacquife a speaking acquaint-
ance with the language. but writing pre-
sents more intricacies.
He expressed satisfaction with the policy
adopted by Congress in providing for what
is known as9 student translators which will
give to the1ega tiaaa corps of students who
will make themselves familiar with the
language, so that our representatives in
China will not be dependent upon Chinese
Interpreters The Legations of other gov
ernments have their own interpreters and
Mr.. Williams thinks that it is important
that the Upited States should be similarly
equipped. Mr.. Williams has only occupied
his present position for few years. sue
ceeding Mr.. F. D. Cheshire. who Is now liv-
Ing in this city, after service of twenty
years with the legation in Pekin, China.
Position Not. in Great Demand.
When questioned in regard to the pres
sure for such a PLACE as he is now holding
Mr.. Williams said that he had heard of no
applicants and that the only reason a va
cancy occurred was because Mr. Cheshire
resigned The number Of people who are
acquainted with the Chinese language and
are competent to hold place of that sort
is extremely limited that Mr.. Williams
laughingly remarked that it was one of
the few places in the government service
which might be considered as not being in
great demand. In speaking Of the rela-
lions OF the representa- of the govern
ment with the Chinese government he said
that they were cordial and friendly.