The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-16
WHAT EXPLORERS ARE DOING.

WHAT EXPLORERS ARE DOING.
The past decade has been singularly fruit
full Of discovery. yet no part Of 1t has been dis
tingushed by such vigorous and comprehen-
svc cndeavor on the part of explorers as is the
ures nj year. For the detailed results Of these
labors we must wait until tho records of the
several expeditions are published in book FORA.
II may Doe useful. therefore. to mark in outline
the aim and achievement Of journeys and re-
scarches lust completed or still going on in DIFF
lorcnt quarters Of the globe. For that purpose
we avail ourselves of the adviccs communicated
from time TO time by travellers to the principal
geographical journals OF Europe.
From central Asia Wa learn that the unde-
scrihed region about Lob-nor and the whole
border country between China and eastern
Turkstan has been quite thoroughly traversed
10y Col PreIrwask. In letter to the 81.
Petersburg Geographical Society. dated June 2.
1877. he states that he had then reached point
two hundred vers's eastward from Lob-nor
and that his remarkably full scientific colec-
tons were so far safe. He had secured. among
other things. three wild camels. which hive
long been reported indigenous in the Lob-nor
region From kuldia he promised to forward
n detailed account of this latest and most inter-
esting section Of his journey.
In tho early months of this year n Russian
embassy under Capt. Kuropatkin passed
through the whole northeastern part Of lacub
khans territory. They had reached Kashgar
in the previous October. but. not finding the
Amccr there. had followed him TO his head
quarters at Turfan near tho eastern frontier.
where he had been collecting an army TO with
stand the Chinese advance. kuropakin's ac-
count of laruh's troops is much less favorable
than were previous reports. They number al
together II appears. scarcely $4,000 men. while
ai Turian there were but $500. only a small
part 81 whom were we'll armed. This statement
explains the announce ment by recent kilograms
that the thoroughly armcd and disciplined Chi
neso force under Cen Kin-shun had crossed
the Thianshan and captured Turian. and rem
ders it extremely doubtful whether Yacub's son
and successor can maintain himself in Kash
EAR. 70 which, IA is known. the Pckn Govern
mont has claim. We NAV add that Il narrative
Of kuropatkin's journey is preparing.
The German embassy to the Emperor Of
Morocco has returned 10y way Of Mekinez and
Arsa 10 TAngiers and thence 10 Europe. 1t s
worth mentioning that the well known explorer.
q. ROhlis was invited 10 accompany the mis-
sion as histOrlosrapher. but ho was obliged to
decline. since he had previously resided some
years in Morocco rs Il Mohammedan. and could
not safely return as u Christian. His place WIS
taken by Or. Mohr. tn. publication ~ whose
journal setting forth as it does the vestlges Of
what was once a great Mussuman civilization
is looked for with uncommon interest. one Of
his achievements was the discovery, not far
from Frz. Of the old Roman city. Noluhis. iden-
titled by an inscription found near some coos-
sal Roman ruins. Tho inscription which was
mutif i"d. was forwarded t. Theodore Momm-
| scu for translation. who pronounces it n
monument of great Importance tor the history
of ancient Nrirn. being thus far the most west
ward landmark Of the Roman occupation.
Letters dnied November. 1876, have been re-
| cciN,d from DR.. Non Barry, who has undertaken
IA journey from Tripoiis across the Sahara TO
central Soudun. Few persons are aware how
rapidly the Turkish dominion is being oN-
tended southwark in this quarter. Dr.. Won
Barry writes from Chat. which had been occu-
pied 10y Turkish garrison. to the ron .torna-
ton %. the Tuarcg tribes. who view with pro-
found distru9t all strangers Attempting to push
southward from that town. 1t would seem to
/ hc not Improbable TINT the ultimate opening TO
trad" o' central amt western Soudan will be
Effected neither by Egypt nor by France but 10y
ihe Turkish Pashas Of TripOhs. The dogree Of
order AMI security which prevails I'm this part
OF the Sahara NJ t. the rcmotcst Ottoman out
/ post Is couirastcd most favorahly with the
p'rils incident TO travel in southern Algeria
-, - an "pN'""S nearing on
-, i'u' ''' '"v pr"poS'u railway
'"''''" =" ''i''" A'rlca
which has lately been much discussed 10y
! French AMI German scientific Journals.
\ summary NJ his observations has been rc-
," '''ii ~ ''""''n'utu' VINO mas repeat
Win Dir. G0,sf.lt thro'',,,, ,,,n .''1''.,,oI 49,,
! hian wns'', Tbs desert. wo Mood not say. il,
not in Asiutic Araliu but - II pnrt ol tl,n X h,
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hnuk If ~, Mn, f. ,h, ru1r - ,i'
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