Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-17
aaiis eagle
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
HERBERT WARD TALKS OF STAN
LEY'S CHANCES FOR SAFETY,

He Il in Great Peril Now, and His Ad.
misers Anxiously Ask Each Other: "Wiu
He Pull Through?"-Graphic Pictures OF
African Incidents of Travel.
Especial CorrespondenceJ
NEW YORK, -. s.-In an interview
with Herbert Ward, the only man who has
thus far returned from the Emin Pasha ex-
petition and brought us direct news from
Henry Ill Stanley, there are few themes
more interesting than that which relates to
the personality Of this distinguished explorer.
A handsome photograph of the intrepid
traveller, quantity mounted between ivory
tusks, rested on an easel among the coliec-
ton OF African bric-a-brao that adorned
the center table in the room of Mr..
Ward at the Everett house, but
1t recalled few of the features of the
Stanley whom many Of us met on his re-
turn to New York in 1878, after his discov-
cry of DIR. Livingston, and when, it may be
said parenthetically, some of the newspapers,
now only too glad to applaud, numerically
denounced him as an adveuturer and afraud.
Then, his hair was dark, his face full and un-
wriuhled and his form stoutly rounded. Now,
his picture represents man who he's grown
old twenty years in ten. The hair seems al
most grizzly; deep lines are around the eyes;
the lips are gripped more firmly; an express
sion Of care pervades the features, and the
spa sc figure looks as if its sharp outlines had
been hammered ont ON some hard anvil The
subject naturally suggested the conversation.
I'm what do you think consists the success
Of your old chiefF' inquired the writer.
I'm his wonderful hardihood, his famili-
arity with the country, his justice in dealing
with the natives, his resources when reduced
to straits that would appall most men, and
the cheerful perseverance with which he
pushes on to the achievement of an under
taking. Why, for hundreds of miles beyond
regions he never has penetrated, his fame has
gone before him, so that in entering even
strange tribe, unless it is avowedly hostile,
he is always sure of q welcome Throughout
all those vast regions his native name, "Bula
Matadi'-the stone breaker-commands re-
spect and esteem, and his just but determined
dealings with the different tribes with which
he comes in contact sustain the reputation
that precedes him on his journeys. Especially
remarkable are his power and authority over
his Zanzibar men. By them he is looked
upon as sort of father, and the intimate
knowledge Of their language and peculiarlties
of which he is possessed gives him a position
that is at once strong and unique.
at is now some fifteen years since he first
became acquainted with these people, and
during all this time he has made it a feature
OF his work to become more and more like
themselves. There is no more interesting or
familiar picture in the Stanley camp" than
that presented in the calm of evening when,
resting after the days weary march, these
men group themselves around their fires to
indulge in their stories founded upon Arabic
legends and savage folklore, while in their
midst sits their striking looking leader draw
ing forth theatrical recital and provoking
enthusiasm by his lively interest and fire.
quent Comments. Naturally, the influence
OF such man over them is magical When
they are too wild or gay, one word from him
reduces them to silence, while in hard times,
when food Is scarce and the weather bad,
bis CHEEKY tones electrify and spur them on
70 renewed effort. So, with all his people,
white and black, Stanley is most kind, enter
ing freely into their affairs, and strengthen
ing their adhesion by his sympathy in all
their troubles Nevertheless, his position
never allows the least relaxation of the stern
and inhexible rules of government, and
wrongdoing is certain to be followed by
punishment administered in q strictly fair
and impartial way. 1t is here that his calm
promptitude produces such a marvellous eff
feet for treacherous by nature and some
times unwilling in their servitude, the ma
tives are only controlled by an undertaking
administration Of camp laws.
Is it possible for you to indicate the pres
ent whereabouts or plans of Stanleyg'
at is not, but if | knew the facts could
not conscientiously reveal them, because all
the officers of his expedition are under a
pledge not to make known any of the details
concerning his movements prior TO his own
publications. 1t is also a popularity of the
situation that Stanley's own people are Just
ignorant as those at home concerning his
plans. He is a man who emphaticaily lets
not his left hand know what his right hand
doeth, ard this will, in a measure, account
for the sparcity of the details which be has
sent home, even to the highest authorities,
concerning his progress from time to time.
1t is one of Stanley's striking peculiarities;
he does his work first, communicating his
ideas to no man, and talks about it after
wards. If he fails, he holds himself alone re-
sponsible.
MY impreSsion-and it is only an impress
sion-is that Stanley and Emin Pasha are, at
the present time, in the neighborhood OF
Uganda, stopping there, and probably taking
advantage of the unsettled state of the coun-
try occasioned by the dethronement by the
Arabs of Mwanga, son of the renowned
Mtesa, the great sultan of Uganda, to initiate
some systematic government that will per-
NIT of the organization of caravan route
between the Emin Pasha country In the
Congo free state and the Albert Nyanza lake
and thence to MombasSa, the seaport Of the
Imperial East African company"
by what route viii he travel backn
Il could make my answer clearer with the
aid Of map, but | may say ia general terms
that his course will probably be through the
territory lately acquired by the Royal Char !
Ter East African company, which would also
lead him to Mombassl. The route is a new
one, however, ana the dangers and difficult |
ties are likely TO equal If not surpaSS any |
that STANLEY ever has encountered. You see, |
no two tribes are alke-all are treacherous- |
many of them are man eaters. and the eli |
mate Is SO deadly for Europeans that few |
whit - "a can sand Il Even Sl2nlsy with |