The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-05-14 00:00:00

THE RELIEF OF EMIN PASHA
MR. STANLEY'S ROUIE.

The following despatch from Banza-Mundeka, on
the Congo River, dated March 27th, has been received
through Renter's Agency :
Messengers from Matadi, who have been ordered
by Mr. Stanley to proceed as rapidly as possible to
L6opoldville in order to hasten the preparations, have
arrived here and announce that the expedition has
disembarked at Matadi, and that the caravans tran-
sporting the men and baggage to Stanley Pool will
reach this place in two days.
The messengers state that Mr. Stanley learnt some
unpleasant intelligence at Boma; among other things,
the fact of the scarcity of provisions obtainable
between this place and Stanley Pool. The usual dearth
of resources of this district has been enhanced by the
recent bad season. Travellers acquainted with the
region point out that on the journey by land past the
cataracts— a distance of about 150 miles, or 18 days'
march--no reliance, as a general rule, can be placed
on the chances of obtaining provisions by the way,
and that the necessary food must be transported by
the caravans. Mr. Stanley, therefore, besides the
large quantides of rice brought from Zanzibar, has
increased his store by the purchase of several tons
at Banana. In spite of this difficulty, Mr. Stanley
declared to Mr. Valcque, commandant at Boma, that
he wa3 pleased at having chosen the Congo route,
remarking:
"1 have only lost three men and 18 donkeyo
hitherto. Had I chosen the eastern route via Zanzi-
bar, I should have lost in a month 100 men through
death, sickness, or desertion."
A few days ago, news was received here from
Leopoldville of the preparations being made there
for the transport of the expedition to the Upper
Congo. An unfortunate accident has, however,
occurred. The steamer Stanley, which was destined
to serve as the principal transport, and which is
capable of carrying 250 men, has sustained serious
damage during a trip on the [Tassel, an affluent of the
Congo. One of the dri ing wheels placed aft broke,
thus disabling the machinery. The crew had con-
siderable difficulty in bringing the steamer back to the
Pool, and it is now under repair.
MM. Liebreehts and Le Marine], commandants at
Leapoldville, fortunately have excellent mechanics and
carpenters at their disposal, and it is hoped that the
damage will be made good before Mr. Stanley's ar-
rival, otherwise the expedition would be greatly de-
layed, for this steamer alone is capable of transporting
250 men and 350 loads.

In addition to the Stanley steamer, the agentp of
the expedition held in readiness the Henry Road, a
'termer belonging to the Livingstone Mission, and
the Florida, of the Sandford Company, besides several
steel lighters. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that.
the steamers engaged to transport the expedition to
the Upper Congo will have to make two journeys.
which will cause a delay of about six week.
The news of Mr. Stanley's enterprise has produced
a great sensation throughout the disirict. The
riverine population who knew the "White Prophet,'
and had frequently opportunities of seeing him some
years ago, are anxious to meet him again, and many
young men in the factories at Banana and Boma have
expressed their readiness to accompany him, but it is
not believed that their offers will be entertained.

Writing in March, the same correspcndent of
Reuter adcl:-.d :—Mr. Stanley has just arrived with
the expedition; all well. Mr. Stanley has decided,
subject to any modification which events occurring on
the Upper Congo may render necessary, to adopt
definitively the route via Stanley Falls, and to en-
deavour to reach Wadelai and Emin Pasha by this
route. Mr. Stanley came to this decision at Matadi,
after discussing the matter with Major Parmenter
and other persons, who acquainted him with the
result of the most recent explorations made in the
region of the Falls by the agents of the Internation%l
Association.

There was a choice of three routes—(l) the Congo
and the Oubangi-Welle ; (2) the Congo and the
Aruwhitni; (3) the Congo as far as Stanley Falls,
thence up the Mbouru, and finally a march on foot as
far as the Albert Nyanza.
The doubts which exist in regard to the discoveries
of Dr. Junker and Mr. Grenfell on the Oubangi-
Welle and the Aruwhimi induced Mr. Stanley to
abandon these routes in favour of that through the
Falls. Before reaching Matadi, Mr. Stanley in-
tended proceeding by the Aruwhimi, and after
rescuing Emin Pasha to return by the Falls in order
to re-establish the authority of the International
Association and instal Tippoo Lb. He has now,
however, decided to proceed direct from Uopoldville
to the Falls.
He has further provisionally settled, as soon as he
reaches the old international station, to ascend the
Mbouru, a river which was recently declared to be
navigable for a great part of its course, and which
flows into the Congo opposite Stanley Falls station.
When the navigation of the Mbouru is no longer pos-
sible, fresh caravans will be organised to proceed to
Albert Nyanza towards Nurswar. On arriving at the
lake Mr. Stanley intends to form an encampment,
which will be fortified, and, !n the meantime, to send
an advance guard in boats to inform Emin Pasha of
the arrival of the expedition and to solicit for the
transport of the expedition to Wadelai the use of the
two steamers at Emin Pasha's disposal. Navigation
is feasible from Wadelai to the southern extremity of
the Albert Nyanza.
Tippoo Tib will be left behind at the Falls, the
buildings and stations will be reconstructed, and a
Belgian akar, Lieutenant Baert, at present stationed
at Bangalas, has been appointed agent of the associa-
tion with rippoo Lb. Mr. Stanley is the bearer of
his nomination to the post. The staff of the expedi-
tion has been increased at Matadi. Mr. Stanley met
Mr. Rose Tru,s, one of the agents he had despatched
direct from London to the Congo, and who had en-
gaged 15 carriers, all of whom have joined the
caravan. Mr. Ingham, another agent, awaits the ex-
pedition at Leopoldville.
The caravan forms an imposing spectacle. Every-
body is cheerful and full of confidence. The Euro-
peans are mounted on fine Muscat donkeys brought
from Zanzibar, and Tippoo Tib, who marches at ths
side of Mr. Stanley, clothed in a yellow djoho and
wearing a white fez, presents a striking appearance.
The route along the southern bank of the Congo as
far as Leopoldville was until recently the safer road,
but has been infested by negro deserters from cara-
vans, who have committed all kinds of depredations.
The authorities at Boma, particularly in view of the
Stanley expedition, the negro element of which might
have been prompted to join the marauders, have sent
sling this route four bodies, each of 25 men, under
the command of Europeans, with orders to repress
the excest:es, to punish the offenders, and to restore
the service of transports. Order has now been re
established.