Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay .
Peking , August 29, 1902 .
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Department’s instructions, No. 545, inclosing copies of the rules which have been adopted governing the appointment, organization, etc., of the corps of student interpreters in China.
It is greatly to be regretted that Congress did not make more liberal provisions for this service. Unless some arrangement can be made for housing these young men and paying their teachers, in addition to their small salaries, it will be impossible for them to live here. They can not live outside of the legation quarter.
If, under these conditions, any shall be appointed, they will be constantly embarrassed and humiliated by the contrast of their situation with that of the European students, whose passage out and all expenses of instruction are paid by their Governments, as well as comfortable residences provided for them.
As I have heretofore written, there are some old Chinese houses within our legation tract which can be temporarily made fairly comfortable for them, but some extensive repairs will have to be made. I trust, therefore, that when it is ascertained definitely that any will come, the Department can find some way to have repaired and set apart these houses for their use, and that I may be instructed so to do in anticipation of their arrival.
I can not accurately estimate the cost until I know how many are coming, and how many houses will consequently be needed. The probability is that the Koreans will occupy the best of these houses, and those left for the students will require considerable repairs; probably $2,000 if only five students come, and $4,000 should there be ten.
Each student must have his separate teacher, who will cost him $12 Mexican per month.
I have, etc.,