, 1885-04-01
IN THE TROPICS.
THE ADVENTURES OF A TRADER IN
THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA
Probable Results of the Proposed Scientific
observation-disclosures and Barbarism
OF the Natires-wha Foreign
Powers Want to DO.


tGlobe- Democrat Interview
Tho proposed scientific expedition to New
Guinea from the United States has attracte !
a good deal Of attention in England aud
Australia. and the probable results Of tho
enterprise have been deliberately an ally
disclosed. One of the most famous OF New
Gnine explorers has bsen In the city during
tho past week. He is Chevalier A. Il. Bruno.
an Italian soldier now residing in San Fan
cisco. who made two trips to the New Guinea
Islands; the frat time in 1871. when ho pene-
trated fifty miles from tho coast. and again
in 1879, with Capt Amos Weber, OF Salem,
Mass, and a Russian scientist, Baron
Mnclay.
Whom met by the reporter the chevalier
had just finished a conversation with II 81.
Louis man who Is enthusiastic over the pro-
po cd voyage OF discovery, but Bruno by no
means shared his enthu ,iasm-
What il really known about tine islands
OF New Guineaf' was asked Of the chevalier.
Virtually nothing, except as 10 the coast
D-Alberti, one of my countrymen, claim To
have penetrated into the interior u distance
OF 80 miles; but, in my opinion, no one will
over explore the island from one end TO tho
othor.'
You must have good reasons for this be-
liefi'
My reasons for such an opinion are the
uAntdlAhlueoh ol TIT Cntilhltt Inc WhIllkt uu
turs Of the natives, and the terrible noun
tains and s,vamps, which no living being can
pass over or through. In 1877 1 got forty
miles from the coast in search OF yams and
cocoanuts. There were eight mon In my
boat, and we were fired upon from the high
banks Of the Fly river. Fortunately mons
OF US were hit, and l voided a fight with
the savages.'
d they have fire-armsl'
"Only those near the coast. Two hundred
miles inland they never "a or heard the rs-
port Of a gun. Even at soma points along
the coast they ara ignorant OF the existence
Of powder and ball. L shall never
forget one night we were anchored
in "a small bay. The moon
shone brightly, not a cloud obscursd
the beautiful tropical sky and a death-like
calm rested on the land and water. We had
sent presents to the Islander to satisfy them
OF our friendliness, but they mistrusted US.
l finally induced a few 10 come on board the
We el and told them | would show them how
ltalked 20 my God, pointing at tho snme
time toward the star-lit sky. Those on shore
came out Of their huts to see tho white man
talk with his God, and tho night was one OF
the most picturesque | ever saw. We had
some sky-rockets ON board and l fred two or
three of thcm. As the poor savnges saw the
lright flames shoot up and away into the
heaven, they prostratei themselves on the
gruunI amid yells and cries of terror. was
during our stay there regarded as a snper-
natural being"
WHAT did you discover IN your visit to
the intsriorip
Il found unmlstakable traces Of gold, but
was not prepared to. make a thorough inve,
~tigntion Tho country is very mountainous
and rough, which separates the different
tribeS. They are very hostile toward each
other. Cannibalism is practical among
Them. Pri on rs taken in war ars kille |.
cooked AMI eaten. They use spears and bow
an arrow. 1 Learned by experience that
the islam lers are all thieves. They will no.
hesitate to kill a stranger for purposes o.
robbery
is polygamy practicedP
an some part Of the country l presums
90, but not where | visitsl. The women arr
quite good lookins AMI generally virtuous
The people OF New Guine arc coppar-cll
ored with smooth. re sullr features They dc.
not pos ess the fiat no 80 OF tbs African no
gross, aud are withal handsome savage.
"Can new Guinea ever DO utilized by white
menF'
Il think not. It will Never 10 Of any prac.
teal benefit Ii there is gold in large guam
titles the white man amt get at it Fsvers
and the natives would destroy them. My
American companion, Capt. Weber, died on
shipboarl just after we returned from our
trip to the interior. The Islands can be OF
no value except 10 the people who inhabit
them. OF course, they might be destroyed
by an inva ing army we'll equipped with
guns and cannon, but the reward wouldn't
pay the cost Scientific mon woulI prob
ably make some important discoveries, and
/ should like to see the American expedition
succeed. Those who 60 mu t be prepared
never to return
Have You any desire to make the Journey
aSainfT
"None whatever. L am entirely satisfied
with my former experience. l consider my
self fortunate to get away alive. 1t is quite
likely th0 american party will not start on
the voyage of discovery to the i~nhospitable
New Guinea. The New York millionaire
who was to have equipped tue 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 for the pos
session Of New Guinea are ludicrous to be-
hold. All these powers have hoisted their
flags in different points of tho Islands at
various periods, but the posts are now aban-
doned, and the natives. confused by the
pupbcr 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 thsy pretend to
DO friendly, overawed by the ships and guns
OF the invaders"
A Friendly Call.