The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-05-01
THE ADVENTURES OF A TRADER IN
THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.
Probable Results of the Proposed Scientific
Expedition-Ignorance and Barbsrism
Of the Natives-What Foreign
Powers Want to Do.
Globe Democrat Interyiew.l

loioDt-DcnCcrat lnpcrVicW.l
The proposed scientific expedition TO New
Guinea from the United States has attracted
agood deal Of attention in England and
Australia, and the probable results Of the
enterprise have been elaborately and ably
discussed. One Of the most famous Of New
Guinea explorers has been In the city during
the past week. He Is Chevalier A E Bruno,
an Italian soldier now residing in San Fran
cisco, who made two trips to the New Guinea
islands; the first time In 1877, when he pene,
trated fifty miles from the coast, and again
in 1879, with Capt Amos Weber, OF Salem,
Mass, and Russian scientist Baron
Maclay.
When met by the reporter the chevalier
had just finished conversation with St
Louis man who Is enthusiastic over the pro-
posed voyage of discovery, but Bruno by no
means shared his enthusiasm
What is really known about the islands
Of New Guineap was asked of the chevalier
VIRTUALLY nothing, except as to the coast
DAlberti, one of my countrymen, claims to
have penetrated into the interior a distance
Of 800 miles; but, in my opinion, no one will
ever explore the island from one end to the
other"
"You must have good reasons for this be-
liefp
my reasons for such an opinion are the
unhealthiness Of the climate, the warliko ma
ture Of the natives, and the terrible noun
tains and swamps, which no living being can
pass over or through. In 1877 got forty
miles from the coast in search of yams and
cocoanuts. There were eight men in my
boat, and we were fired upon from the high
banks of the Fly river. Fortunately none
Of us were hit, and / avoided fight with
the savages."
"Do they have fire-armsp
"Only those near the coast Two hundred
miles inland they never saw or heard the re-
port Of gun. Even at soms points along
the coast they are ignorant Of the existence
Of powder and ball l shall never
forget one night we were anchored
in small bay. The moon
shone brightly, not a cloud cbscured
the beautiful tropical sky and q death-like
calm rested on the land and water. We had
sent presents to the islanders to satisfy them
of our friendiiness, but they mistrusted US
finally induced few to come on board the
vessel and told them would show them how
talked to my God, pointing at the same
time toward the star-lit sky. Those on shore
came out of their huts to see the white man
talk with his God, and the night was one of
the most picturesque l ever saw. We had
some sky-rockets on board and fired two or
three Of them. As the poor savages saw the
bright flames shoot up and away into the
heavens they prostrate1 themselves on the
ground amid yells and cries of terror was
during our stay there regarded as a SUPER
natural being"
What did you discover in your visit to
the interiorF
Al found unmistakable traces Of gold, out
xxyaa t,nt 70, kk1rn
tigation. The country is very mountainous
and rough, which separates the different
tribes. They are very hostile toward each
other. Cannibalism is practical among
them. Prisoners taken in war are killed,
cooked and eaten. They use spears and bows
and arrows. l learnsi by experience that
the islanders are all thieves. They will not
hesitate to kill stranger for purposes Of
robbery"
is polygamy practiced'
"In some parts Of the country / presume
so, but not where visited The women are
quite good-looking aud generally virtuous
The people Of New Guinea are copper-col-
ored with smooth, regular features They do
not possess the fiat noSos OF ths African n,-
groes. and are withal handsome savagesD
@Can new Guinea ever be utilized by white
nenF
II think not. It will never be Of any prac-
teal benefit. II there is gold in large guam
titles the white man can't get at it. Fevsrs
and the natives would destroy them. My
American companion, Capt Weber, died on
shipboard just after we returned from our
trip to the interior. The islands can be Of
no value except to the people who inhabit
them. OF course, they might be destroyed
by an invaiing army well equipped with
guns and cannon, but the reward wouldn't
pay the cost. Scientific men would prob
ably make some important discoveries, and
/ should like to see the American expedition
succeed. Those who go must be prepared
never to return"
Have you any desire to make the journey
againr
"None whatever. / am entirely satisfied
with my former experience ! consider my
self fortunate to get away alive It is quite
likely the American party will not start on
the voyage of discovery to the inhospitable
New Guinea. The New York millionaire
who was to have equipped the expedition
has not turned up, and the scheme is deemed
almost as visionary as a trip to the north
pole. The struggles Of Spain, England,
France, Germany and Holland fpr the pos
session Of New Guinea are ludicrous to be-
hold. All these powers have hoisted their
flags in different points Of the islands at
various periods, but the posts are now aban-
doned, and the natives, confused by the
number Of countries who offered them pro-
lection, have concluded they don't want any
protection, and oppose the entrance Of all
strangers Along the coasts they pretend to
be friendly, overawed by the ships and guns
~ fha ir,v