Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1912-05-16
HONGkONG, CHINA
CURIOUS SEAPORT
14s!oos lso!!1o4s!Hl[ e4s's
NOTED PORT OF CALL REVEALS
TYPICAL CHINESE
LIFE
Fine Harbor Brilliantly Illuminat-
ed at Night. Revolutionary
Troubles

Hong Kong, China, March II,
1912-The steamer reached this IA
nous port shortly before noon one
pleasant day. All the morning the
shores of the ancient land of China
lay in plain sight and numerous
islands were passed all barren of
vegetation, as we'll as the main land,
The country looked old, from the
ship. No signs of cultivation were
seen few sea birds, no cattle or
sheep, nothing but bare burned soil
and rocks. All along the shore and
far out in the ocean out of sight of
land we passed Chinese junks carry
ing merchandise to various coast
towns, and also saw many hundred
fishing boats. The Chinese junl. had
familiar school day book appear
ance, sitting high out in the water
and propelled by a large weather
beaten, peculiarly shaped sail. The
harbor of Hong Kong had many
steamers loading for all foreign
ports and several were ships of diff
ferent nations called there by pos
sibillity of trouble with China. The
day before we arrived German
cruiser had gone up the Pearl Riv-
ed to protect the interests of the
Kaiser at Canton, if necessary. A
French war ship had its crew drill.
ing on deck and the ropes of the ship
were covered with sailors laundry
as we dropped anchor. The British
cruiser Kent reached Hong Kong
tefore we left. AS the fighting in
Canton was among the Chinese
themselves and had occurred few
days before, there appeared to be
no special need of war ships then
but these vessels are no doubt a mat
ter of great Importance at Hong
Kong when any outbreak occurs in
China and all foreign residents
feel more secure thereby.
Vision of Fairy Land
Hong Kong is British city and
has world famous location being
spread out on the side of noun
tain which runs steeply down to the
fine harbor. At night when the
stores and residences are lighted by
electric lights no more beautiful
sight from the shore of any spot in
the world can be seen. It looks as
If some great theatre had put on a
spectacular production and the cur
tain had been raised to view of
fairy land. The lights twinkled
from the thousands of sampans and
steamers in the harbor, all the way
up the mountain side to the top of
Victoria Peak. 1t is an enchanting
vision, once seen never forgotten.
Victoria Peak
An inclined rail road is operated
from the city nearly to the top of the
mountain 100 feet high. There are
several stations along the line and
residents who have houses on the
mountain side make frequent use of
the road. From it's upper terminal,
Chinese coolies will take you nearly
up to the summit Of the high peak
and after a short walk past the gov
ernor's palace and military barracks,
you reach the apex of the peak where
a splendid view Of the city and har-
Dor and much Of the island OF. Hong
Kong is spread out before the OBJ
server. KaloUr.. is good sized
toy n across the Day. whore British
soldiers live. The city and ISLAND be-
long to England and English peo-
PIE. There are about 5000 soldiers.
here all the time. The island and
city are governed by governor gen.
eral sent out from London and while
we were there one Of these omcials
who had been in service nearly hve
years took his departure for new
post in Africa, and all Hong Kong
society. military and Official, turned
ont to bid feFewell to a popular gov
ernor. British red coats lined the
shady streets and accompanied him
and his family to the 2. & Q. liner.
India, which sailed for Soudan with
. big passenger list.
.}3 Picturesque Scenes,
The approaches to the harbor it.
self and the city sbristle with forti-