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ship's 100th trip without an accident --- built for the route --- and his 50th in command --- ran to Wei hai Wei --- British --- and gave us a fine view of the forts, harbor and British fleet in port there. 
Outside for the British waters we were met by a fine German Cruiser which was scouting for us and which ship our Captain is to command --- his regular navy service --- for two months, beginning Nov. 1st next. It was a fine sight to have these two ships draw close together at sea, exchange conversation by megaphones, separate, salute and pass. The German navy men are as fine a lot as I care to know!
Our next stop was at Chefoo the interesting Chinese port and town which has immense possibilities, but which will require millions of gold to develop, The Germans and English have, of course, wrested the two best harbors away from the Chinese --- but some day hereafter, when these great Orientals get ready, but they will surely have them again for themselves --- as they should!!
[[note]] [Tangku] ? [[/note]] At Tigku-Taku, we waited ten hours for the water to raise in this Pai Ho river so that we could continue in our ship to Tientsin. This gave us a chance to see the old forts famous since the Boxer war, and our ascent of the river by daylight permitted us to see the "Tai ping road" over which the Japs made their famous march, and practically all of the locality made famous during those dark days.
Tientsin is charming and a great commercial city and point of strategic importance, where Germany Japan, England, France and Russia have magnificent concessions and where the U.S.A was offered but declined similar recognition --- what fools we are? England has the best, Ger-many second best, but far the prettiest, and Japan during the last three years has made the greatest improvements! Russia has as yet done nothing but build a very fitting monument in memory of her men whose lives were lost in the Boxer war.
I reached Pekin last night and this morning, Sunday, went first to pay my respect to Von Kettler's memory, then the Lama Temple and back again to my excellent hotel via the imposing monumental arch so very appropriately and beautifully erected by the Chinese, under German enforcement, to atone, in a way, for the poor Von Kettler's death. Of Peking, and how it impresses me after all these years of dreams I shall write you later. Tomorrow morning I shall cable you of my safe arrival. With all good messages to yourself and family,
Always yours most sincerely, Charles L. Freer.

Long hand.