Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-08-30
SEES FOREIGN LANDS
A. j. RHODES TELLS OF TRIP
AROUND THE WORLD.
Gives Graphic Description of Places
Visited and Scenes Witnessed I'm
Old World Countries.

4
i; Visited and Scenes Witnessed I'm
t Old World Countries.
Continued from Last Week.
After a three-days' run from Naga.
saki arrived at Hongkong, 1900 miles
south by west weather getting warm
er as we neared Hongkong. We had q
very smooth voyage except the first
day. which was rough; on the trip
down we were given a demonstration
by the crew of their ability to save q
life in case one of the passengers
should fall overheard. A life preserv-
er on fire was thrown overheard, a
rush made for the lifeboats, the
steamer swung around in a circle back
to where the overthrow occurred. 1t
took forty minutes to make the res
cue, although the crew said if it had
been real rescue the boat lines
would have been cut, etc, making the
rescue much quicker 1t is needless to
say the demonstration convinced the
passengers it was wise to stay aboard
If they cared to see the United States
again.
Arriving at Hongkong on March Is
at 3 a. M, we We're Immediately taken
ashore on steam launches and our
sightseeing began. Hongkong has
population of about 800, ,O0O-1O, 900
Europeans, including about 700 Por-
tuguese; 10000 Chinese live in sam
pans in the harbor.
The population is cosmopolitan and
comprises races from all parts of the
world-India, Japan, the islands of
the Pacific, Europe, America and the
neighboring empire of China. The lat
ter number about 100000.
The correct name of the city is Vic
toria, and the island Hongkong, al
though the name Victoria" is seldom
mentioned, all calling the city Hong
kong. The island is about six miles
across and was decided to England in
1867. They have recently acquired
property from China, across from the
city running fifty miles back and sew
enty-five miles along the shore. Hong
kong is considered one of the best
harbors in the worla and it is said
more tonnage passes through here
than any other port This does not
mean merchandise, but vessel ton
mage. Her gates are open to ALL re-
gardless of caste or color; there Is no
custom house. You can go or come
and no questions are asked. Hong
kong streets are the most interesting
of any city yet visited Along it's
thoroughfare you will see side by side
the rickshaw and the sedan chair.
drawn and carried by the noisy coolies,
and the modern electric street cars,
all hustling for the same purpose.
First Impression Favorable.
The first impression of Hongkong
as you approach by daytime is most
favorable Away to the front towers
the Peak, 1900 feet above the city,
its sides covered with magnificent
resembling old castles, the
residences of the Weather classes,
while below, near the waterfront, are
imposing structures, six TO ten stories,
telling of the commercial prosperity
The city seen by night from the bay,
about a mile from shore, where our {
vessel was anchored. is a sight long to ]
be remembered, with the thousands of
sampans and sloops in the harbor.
he buildings on shore and the resi- {
1ences creeping up the side of the
lill to the very top, meeting the stars, {
md each casting their particular light,
hat you are left in wonder and are at {
| loss to tell where the lights leave Off !
md the stars begin. e
Mrs Rhodes and were entertained I
It o'clock tea at the house of Mr.. s
,ruz a Portuguese broker, located on I
slightly spot half way up the Peak I
nd overlooking the botanical gar
lens, the governor generals grounds 1
nd the harbor. With him we were r
AIKEN to rattan, seagrass and willow {
hair factories. Most of their products +
o to Australia. We also visited fac e
Dry where they were making camphor Z
rood chests and trunks, and where q
'hinese lanterns are made. The entire
arty Of $50 people were given a ride
n the inclined cable road TO the Peak 81
he road goes to within 600 feet OF n
he top. This distance you can walk, o
r take sedan chairs carried by four e
Oolies, which most OF them did. but ri
n account OF my size, the coolies n
hied, so it was a case OF walk or 1,
ay down. SO ! walked. Although the g,
ay was not and the climb made Il IL
'em hotter I felt repaid. as the view &c
as perfectly grand. You get a birds nj
re view of the city below and the en- q,
re surrounding island and country :,
ijoining. N
Visit To Canton. di
After a two days visit at Hong n
Ong we. on Wednesday night. board n
a river steamer for the ninety-mlle W