Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-01
TO EXPLoRE NEW GuINEA.
An Exploration Of the Island Proposed
Under = Novel scheme.

An Exploration of the Island Proposed
Under Novel scheme.
Prom tAo Chicago Nesss
The island Of New Guinea has attracted
a great deal Of attention during the past
year by reason Of the conflicting interests
which have beer exhibited by the Eng.
hsh, French and German governments,
each of which desires to occupy it, while
many futile efforts have been made TO &C
complish its exploration by expeditions
sent out from Australia, Italy, Germ any
and England.
j. W. Buel, Of St. Louis, who in 1882
visited nearly all the noted convict mines
OF Siberia and who is the author of several
successful subscription books, is now in
the city renewing his efforts to organize
a company 10 explore the island. Last
spring be had about completed all his ST.
rangements for undertaking the work, a
wealthy man OF New York having agreed
to supply the necessary means for equip
ping the expedition, but unfortunate in
Yestments so crippled Mr.. BuePs patron
that the voyage had to be deferred.
This necessary posJponement did not
diminish Mr.. BuePs ardoT, and be is now
trying TO raise a company oil % men upon
the basis that each member shall contrib.
ute $1,000 towards defraying the expenses
OF the expedition, so as to raise fund of
S25, 900, which, it is estimated, will cover
all the expenses Of the enterprise, includ-
ing the purchase Of a suitable sailing YES
sci, steam launch, and all needful sup
plies. Each member of the company will
be entitled to share equally in all the ben.
etits that may accrue to the expedition.
The prospective profits lie in the possible
discovery of gold. which it is believed eX.
lists in large paying quantities in the
island, and alsO'in the collection of curl.
osities and specimRns from the Papuans,
which are In great request by the Smith.
sonian Institution and museums gener-
ally. A great incentive, however, lies in
the singular fact that, though New
Guinea is the largest island on the globe
it is the least known portion of the earth,
and hence it IS a most inviting field for
the scientist, sportsman, and adventurer.
1t Is not proposed that the expedition
shall be confined wholly to an exploration
of New Guinea-although this is the
prime object-but, ifagreeable to the CON-
pany, visit will also be made to Africa,
especially the GabOon district, the home
of the gorilla and chosen haunt Of the hip
pOpotamus.
The proposed expedition will be outfit
ted for an absence OF eighteen months, and
the members will not be called upon TO
pay anything beyond the original amount
contributed, thus affording each a de-
lightful and interesting trip around the
world at small expense and possibly great
profit.
When the expedition returns the vessel,
jointly owned by the company, will be
sold aud the proceeds equally divided.
thus reducing the expenses to six OF
seven hundred dollars for each member.
Br. Buel has no disposition to profit by
the scheme which he proposes beyond his
share in common with his companions;
neither does he desire to be the custodian
Of any Of the funds nor aspire to leader
ship, his object being TO recruit the COM
pany for the benefits which he believes
will accrue to the expedition. The mem
bers will choose their own officers, ap-
point their committees, and through such
committees make all purchases for the
voyage and decide all questions by ma
ority vote.
Mr.. Buel is now upon the point of de
parting for Florida, but will return 10 st
Louis shortly after Feb. /, from which
place he will reply to all applicants for
membership in the proposed company.