The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1914-06-05

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tingencies.
Going east by Suez we must cross
the Atlantic which is always rough and
usually cold and disagreeable. Then
comes the picturesque Mediterranean,
a delightful trip. Then comes Suez,
the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The latter part of the trip is hot, sticky
and wearisome.
Via Panama passengers strike into
warm weather in two days and from
that time on they travel in tropic or
temperate attitudes all the way. The
vessel will leave rough waters as soon
as they have passed Hatteras and the
entire balance of the voyage will be
through waters that are proverbially
calm and peaceful. The trip through
the Panama canal is much more pic
turesque than through Suez; the route
up the California coast will easily Offset
the Mediterranean cruise, and the visit
to Honolulu on the way will be de-
lightful stopping place where travellers
may stretch themselves before resum-
ing the last leg Of the journey. In
either route the Oriental terminal will
be the same, that is whether you go
east or west you will touch at Singapore
and probably at Hong Kong and Yoka-
hama.
Time and competition will fix the
merits OF the two routes. Develop
ment Of the countries effected will
change conditions materially. 1t is
impossible to forsee the full effect of
the canal on the races Of people who
will be benefited. Fancy might sug-
gest that that the influence Of Ameri-
can ideals may change geography to
greater extent during the coming cen
tury than all the years gone by. Peo-
pie from all parts of the earth will
gather about this narrow pass between
continents and they will naturally be
forced to learn something of the new
countries through which they pass and
while they gather something of the
atmosphere of the countries they touch
they will leave something of theirs.
Even today, before the waterway is
opened, there is gathered about the
isthmus a strange community. No
where on American soil can we find its
equal. Strange people from all the
earth pass and repass. Turbaned,
tawny East Indians. Mongolians, Eu-
ropeans, native Indians from the Cen
trail Americas. naughty Spaniards, Afri-
cans-all kinds, island people, soldiers
and sailors, uniforms and flags strange
to American eyes, all these sights strike
US today as we linger on the isthmns.
What will it be when the canal is Off
cially opened and the ships OF all
nations bring their passengers and car
goes to this common centere
One of the little problems which puz-
zels the American abroad is why is it
that every foreigner at once places him
as an American. We are ordinary
white folks and dress very much the
same as our English cousins. In fact
we wonder what particular distinguish
ing trade mark we wear. We try to
act naturally and to pass along unassum-
ingly, but it don't work out. Every
bell hop, hackman, lackey, servant,
hotel keeper, and tradesman at once
places US. We are Americans and We
can't hide it. It's there, and he who
runs may read.
This matter came up several times
and finally I reasoned it out that it
should be no harder for these natives
to solve my nationality than it was for
me to size up an Enghshman. There
is no mistaking the English tourist.
You can tell him in a thousand differ
ent ways. Not by his expression, for
he carefully hides all expression. On
ly once did I catch an Englishman
betraying expression, and that was in
front OF hotel in Panama. He came
down that morning with new pair OF
plum colored spats, and as he sat wait
ing for his carriage he stretched out
his extremities and permitted himself
the luxury of fond contemplating. He
beamed. He fairly radiated. His
countenance lighted up with that Pc