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Astor House Hotel Ltd., Tientsin

Tel. Addr.: „Astor” Tientsin

A.B.C. 4th and 5th Edition,
A.I and Western Union Codes Used

Tientsin,  Oct. 13th 1910
N. China

Dear Colonel Hecker.

The three weeks thus far spent at Peking have been one continued whirl of confused activity, and to night for the first time since landing at this port, I am spending the evening alone. I am here paying duties and arranging shipment of five cases of things secured - a precious lot!
In buying and in being entertained, I am worn thin but remain happy. The visit of Secretary Dickinson and that of the Committee of Business men from the Pacific coast, caused Peking to outdo all records in entertainment and along and consecutively came the celebration of the opening of the new Chinese Senate - Yes, they are to have an assembly of national representatives who call themselves, as a group, "the Senate", and whats more, the Imperial Government approves- The foreign Legations, excepting our own, are amazed at the cordiality shown the Pacific coast crowd. No other foreigner or foreigners in recent times, they tell me, have received such hospitality from the Chinese nation!! I have had to participate more or less in the festivities and besides this nearly every Legation in Peking has either given me a dinner or a luncheon -- of course I dont deserve 

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