Mr. Adee to Mr. Conger.

No. 556.]

Sir: I have to inform you that the President has appointed Messrs. Thomas W. Haskins, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Julean H. Arnold, of Sacramento, Cal.; Frederick D. Cloud, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Harry M. Robins, of Grand Rapids, Mich., as four of the student interpreters provided for by the diplomatic and consular appropriation [Page 232] act of March 22, 1902. Messrs. Haskins and Arnold are expected to sail on the army transport leaving San Francisco on September 1. Messrs. Cloud and Robins have not yet announced their intentions as to departure.

I inclose for your information a copy of the instructions sent to these gentlemen. You will see that no reference is made therein to the payment of tuition, for which no expressed provision is made by the act. The Department is disposed to defray this expense in the same manner as the tuition in the case of the second secretary at Pekin is paid; but before deciding definitely it desires to receive from you a report as to the exact outlay which would be required on this account for the ten students.

I am, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]

Instructions to student interpreters in China.

Sir: The President having appointed you to be one of the ten student interpreters in China, provided for by the diplomatic and consular act approved March 22, 1902, and you having signed the agreement required by the act to continue in the service as interpreter to the legation and consulates in China so long as your said services may be required within a period of ten years, I inclose herewith your commission.

You are to devote yourself under the direction and supervision of the United States minister at Peking, to the study of the Chinese language, and your retention will depend on the ability and progress which you show in mastering the language, and on your general steadiness and good conduct. You are to apply yourself exclusively to the study of the Chinese language for a period of two years, under the direction of the minister of the United States, and in order that your progress in acquiring a knowledge of the language may be determined, you will be examined quarterly by the Chinese secretary of the legation, and annually by a board composed of the Chinese secretary and two resident Americans properly qualified. During the period of two years you may not be detached from your studies for duty in the legation or consulates.

At the expiration of two years you may be detailed for duty as interpreter or assistant in the legation or in any of the consulates in China, where you shall be subordinate to and under the direction of the person in responsible charge of the office, and may be required to perform any official duties in addition to those of interpreter.

After the expiration of two years, you may be granted leave of absence for a period not to exceed sixty days (exclusive of transit when expressly granted) in any one year. The application for such leave of absence shall be made to the Secretary of State and must receive the approval of the officer under whom you may be serving at the time.

Your salary is fixed by law at the rate of $1,000 per annum, beginning on the date of your arrival at the legation at Peking, and you may draw upon the Secretary of State as it may become due monthly, supporting your draft by an account. In availing yourself of this authorization, you will be careful not to exceed in the amount drawn for the sum to which you may be entitled in account with the United States at the date of your drafts. In addition you will be entitled to compensation at the rate of your salary for the time occupied in receiving instructions in the United States, beginning on the date of your oath of office and not exceeding thirty days, and for the time actually and necessarily occupied in transit, by the most convenient route, between the place of your residence and the legation at Peking, not exceding sixty days.

Your account for the period occupied in receiving instructions, not to exceed thirty days, should, if practicable, be made out and settled at the Department before you leave for Peking.

On reaching Peking you will make out a separate account for the period of transit and draw on the Secretary of State for the amount due.

I am, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee, Acting Secretary.