New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-26

the Eqypt we know is the narrow Nle-valley, be-
tween which aud the Red Sea. on the east, the terri
tory is tolerably. although not yet thoroughly,
known but when we cross the few miles of cult
waited land to the westward of the river we are on
the borders of region which is still, for the most
part blank on maps. We know that at dis
tances varying from 100 to 17j miles westward there
are four GASES, two of which large and wellpop
ulated, and yet-only one European has ever visited
all Of theml This was the Frenchman, Caillaud, in
the year 1919. The Little Oasis Oasis Para of the
Ronans lies about 100 miles west of Minyeh, on the
Nile; still further in the latitude of Stout, the CAPT
tai of Upper Egypt, and rs miles distant, is the
Oasis of Farafreh then, 100 miles nearly due west
of Tbebes lis the Great Oasis Oasis Magma, with
the Oasis of Dakhel lying between it and Farafreh
Two or three Englishmen have visited the Great
Oasis-only four days journey from the Nile-on
account of its ancient Egyptian temples but Call
land, believe is the only man who has ever pene-
trated as far west as Farafreh
These four GASES are disposed in a curved line the
concave side toward the Nile; they are under Egyp-
tian government, and must have frequent inter
course with the towns on the river. Beyond them,
however, nothing whatever is known; nearly mil
lion square miles remain to this day absolute terra
incOgnitd. 1t seems tolerably certain that no
organized, Independent nation exists therein, be-
tween Waday and the Mediterranean but reports of
very large and fertile cases have from time to time
reached Egypt and the possibility of annexation
seems to have been the chief incentive which lied
the Viceroy to favor the expedition The natives OF
the Oasis of Farafreh say that six days
journey to the westward there is large
oasis called Zerzurah. inhabited by negroes; eight
or ten days journey further to the west is located
region called "Fufarah D-said to be q vast depreS
sion in the Desert, two or three hundred miles in
extent, and Astounding with wells and groves OF
date palms. To the southwark some geographers
conjecture that there is chain of mountains, rising
10 hight of eight or ten thousand feet. hayeeven
seen this chain set down upon maps but have been
unable to discover upon what evidence and Rohlfs
informs me that he scarcely expects to find 1t.
Won Beurmann and DIR. Nachtigall are the only
travellers who have penetrated into any part of this
great region they have skrted the southwestern
border of the Libyan Desert, where, extending to-
ward Waday and Lake Tsad, it is gradually lost in
the Sahara. Wara, the capital of Wadsy has
much more northerly location than was formerly
supposed it lies nearly west of Dongoa, the ancient
capital Of Nubia, and not more than $50 miles dis
tant in a straight line. Northwest of Waday, and
nearly half way between that country and Fezzan
a land called Tibest which Dr. Nachtigall succeeded
in penetrating, making Lake Tsad his startng-point
II he shall safely return to civilization after his
daring exploits he will bring us the first authentic
intelligence of that region. Still further norhward
and eastward of Tbest is land called "Wad-
janga" said to be wild and mountainous and in
habited by fierce, waTlike The reported
Oasis of Fufarah cannot be very far to the north
ward of this Wadjanga" land, and should there be
lofty mountain range dividing the two, ii may ac-
count for our ignorance of both countries Where
an easy and regularly-traveed caravan route fails,
tn
rate all accidental geographical knowledge among
the people.
The aspects of the expedition seemed very bright
when Rohlfs told us that he had just received a
letter from Dr. Nachtgall, actually written in
Wara the capital of Waday, in January last! The
conclusion or peace between the kfugdoms OF
Bournu and Waday had enabled the intrepid trav-
eler to penetrate where his two heroic predecessors
CVogel and Won Beurmann) persisted, and the pros
poets are now good that he will succeed in crossing
DarFur and coming to the civilized world again at
Khartum.
As for Rohfs his plan is very simple aud practical
Reaching Egypt by Dec. 1, he viii employ two or
three weeks in organizing his expedition His start
ing point will! be the town of Minyeh, the present
terminus of the railroad which will soon connect
Cairo with Upper Egypt A trip of five days from
Minyeh will bring him to the Oasis iof Farafref,
beyond Gf not before) which point every step will
be contribution TO our knowledge With the means
at his disposal be will be able to reach the great
Oasis of Fufarah f there is such place. in another
fortnight and then making that central point, to
push as far southwark and westward as may be
possible
The expedition will be the most complete for its
size that ever was planned. Four competent Ger
man scholars will accompany Rohlfs-a botanst, an
ethnoogist a geOlogist, and surveyor. One hun
bred picked camels will carry each two water-tanks
of light galvanized iron, making entire provision
of 500 900 pounds of water secured against loss by
evaporation From 80 to 100 additional camels will
be taken for the persons and baggage of the expedi
ton the camel-drivers will be well armed and I'M
der military discipline. Leaving Minyeh toward
the end of December, Rohlfs expects to be back
again by the end of March, 1874. He has the great
advantage that his explorations commence imme-
diately and that whatever may be the final result
he is perfectly sure to clear up great deal of un-
known geography The explored territory, Of course,
will be annexed to Egypt.
In four or five months therefore, we may expect
to hear new story Of African travel II am not
greatly mistaken it will be Of special interest.
A better leader than Rohlfs could hardly be found
more practical preparation has never been made, a
more proyOkingy attractive region does not exist.
expect that the sculptor Story's musing Sibylla
LibycaD will lift her dark brOws and stare in alarm,
when she finds that she no longer owns mystery.
B..
THE VILE DU HAVRE DISASTER.
TIKI RESCUE OF PASTOR WEISS AND Mr. COOK FROM
W