The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-22
A MISSION OF PEACE.
Lieutenant Schuetze Talks Entertainingly or
Siberia and the Siberians. 4


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Whi.e English naval
officers are preparing for the expeditions into
the Baltic and Black seas and English army
officers are momentarily expecting orders to go
to the front to drive the Russians back from
Herat and across the Caspian into their
own territory, an American expedition is pre-
pairing to invade Siberia by the way of st
Petersburg and Moscow. From military point
of view this American expedition is not a very
formidable one; it is, at the same time, destined
to work wonders in the frozen regions OF the
Lena delta. The expedition consists of but one
man, Lieutenant VIM. FL Schuetze of the navy
yard. His mission is one of peace, and he is now
preparing for his journey. Few men would
seek the duty which has been assigned to Lieut..
Schuetze and fewer still would be capable of
carrying the designs of Congress to successful
issue. But to this officer the trip is an honor.
and as ne has accomplished the journey
before, he will undoubtedly again add
to his laurels by carrying out his instructions to
the letter. Lieutenant Schuetze is perhaps thir-
tyfve years of age. He is of magni6cent
physique and great powers Of endurance and
was one of the officers who made the successful
search for the remains of DeLong and his COM
rades after the fatal termination of the retreat
from the wreck Of the Jeannette. Schuetze, dur
ing his last visit to Siberia became interested in
the dialects of the natives, and learned enough
of their language to be of great value to him
in the Journey on which he is about to start.
Your correspondent called upon him to-day
and questioned him with reference to his trip
and the presents which he intends TO take to the
natives. Congress, at the last session.
said Mr.. Schuetze appropriated $4,000.
to be expended in the purchase of suitable
presents for natives of the Delta who were so
hospitable to the survivors of the Jeanette ex-
pedition, and the party which brought back the
remains of the dead. I was selected to take the
presents to Siberia, and at the request of the
Secretary of State have just made my report
upon what I think the most suitable disposition
of the money"
what do you propose to take with you9'
1.-THE money will be invested principally in
flannel, calico. knives, needles, rifles, axes tea
and tobacco, with perhaps a few beads"
where will your purchases be madel'
'"That is at present undecided. The flannel and
calico will, however, be purchased in this coun-
L
secured here Those in use in northern Siberia
are of the most crude pattern imaginable; :
they are made of wrought iron, by
the natives further south, and carry bail not
much bigger than pea. Besides, they are Gis-
charged by a flint and steel. Still, they are of
great assistance to the natives in hunting the
reindeer, although it is frequently necessary to
shoot one of the animals fiye or six times before
he can be brought down.
'.How many rifles do you propose to take with
you, Lieutenant"
''Not more than thirteen or fourteen, and they
will be muzzie-loaders. IL would be useless to
supply those people with arms requiring fixed
ammunition, as so soon as the amount supplied
them is exhausted they would be without means
to replenish their stocks The Russian govern
ment allows the traders to carry mp supply OF
powder and lead, but there is never any need
for cartridges The knives and axes
will probably be purchased at Yukutsk or some
other Siberian town through which shall have
to pass, as they make their implements Of
wrought-iron, that are peculiarly adapted to the
wants of the natives. Steel would be of no use.
as it would break when frozen. There is beau
tiful species of iron ore in Siberia, which is
mined in abundance and smelted by the natives.
1t is almost as soft as lead, and the knives made
from it, in the shape of an elongated wedge, are
heated in the fres and they prove formidable
tools in the hands Of those skilled in their use,
though you or / would find it difficult to cut
with them.'
How will you travel. and how long is your
journey to bein
After cross the Ural mountains, having
travelled via ST. Petersburg and Moscow, shall
have journey OF abou. 5000 miles to make on
sleds I can travel most of the distance only in
the winter time, as in the summer the reads are /
too soft to admit of travel at all Part OF this {
sled journey viii be made with horses and the
latter portion with reindeer The Lena delta,