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Enroute from Shanghai to Tientsin we encountered two corking storms which cut our ship progress down fifty per cent on two occasions and blew the water out of the Hai Ho river - Tangku to Tientsin - so that we reached the latter port nearly two days late.

But I escaped sea sickness and enjoyed the whole trip. Our first stop was at Tsing Tan the very important German Concession where I found the surprising new German town and superb port only ten years old and having a 16.000 ton dry dock and amazing harbor with great stone piers &c. &c. all in the real classical Chinese Scenery of the Ancient Chinese winters - that of serrated mountains, varying distances and great water spaces. Then our obliging Captain notwithstanding his delay, but because it was the ships 100th trip without an accident - built for the route - and his 50th in command - ran to Wei hai Wei - British - gave us a fine view of the forts, harbor and British fleet in port there.

Outside of the British waters, we were met by a fine German cruiser who 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