New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-15

the Kings feet so far as it had any existence
whatever, consisted of three small steamers one
of which was owned by some missionaries, VINO
manifested much ugness about letting Stanley
have it at any price. 4 fourth, however, was
about to b, launched, and Stanley waited Tor IT,
Altogether they enabled him to move about hall
his expedition He had left Europe with the cry
ringing in his ears: Make haste Make haste -
Come. Hurryl' Emn had pleaded hurry
or we shall be overwhemed." lie had clearly no
alternative but to push with as many men as he
could to Yambuya, point on the Aruwmi 300
miles from the sea and 400 from his final destlna-
ton. His boats could take the greater part OF his
men TO Yamb0ya and could then return for the
rest and the stores He could forge ahead through
the forest, leaving the least able men to recoup
at Yambuya while the boats were bringing
their companions and the goods. BY that
time Tippu lib would have his 600 Arab car
riers ready and Major B1rttelot, the senior IN
rank Of his officers and by far the most experienced
in the command Of men. could come on and over
take him. If Tippu lib failed to produce 600
men as agreed Barttelot could judlciously sacrl-
fire the loads until he had Accommodated their
number to whatever force the Shcik did bring, and
if Tippu failed utterly and Barttelot was unable
to procure carriers among the Congo natives, he
could stop at Yambuya until Stanley's return,
carry his coo loads, going short distances twice
over All this, and much more, was put IN
letter of instructions TO Barttel0t, as clear and
admirable a letter as could possibly have been
written. 1t not long, and vet it seemed to
leave nothing unsaid, and nothing that was SAID
uncertain. The highest praise we can oher or
Stanley ask for that letter is that after care
fully considering everything that happened to
him and his men their marches through the
forest and that happened to the Rear Column
in it's camp at Yambuya. and during its short but
dreadful, advance, we fail TO see how his letter
could have been wisely altered at any material
point If Barttelot was fit commander the let
ter was sufficient. If he unfit, no letter
could have prevented disaster.
The command of the Rear Column fell naturally
TO Barttclot. TO have assigned il to another
would have been absurd, especially as the Majors
conduct as subordinate during the progress from
the mouth of the Congo to Yambuya had been
such as to confirm the recommendations upon
the strength of which Stanley took him Nelson
and Stairs are the only men that could have been
left in his place, but no reason can he suggested
why il should have occurred to Stanley 10 select
a for the most responsible task, next to his
own, who had little experience and whose mill
tary rank low, over who had dlstin-
guished himself in Afghanistan and along the
Soudanese Nile, and whose rank was high. lie
knew that Bartteot had n high spirit, "A quick
temper and, at times, grim humor, but these
qualities they had discussed together, Stanley
warning and Bartteot affirming his ability 20
hold the mastery over them. We cannot see
how any disposition of the command could have
been made other than the one that was made.
1t was the more acceptable to Stanley because
of the presumably excellent character Of the stall
2s, 1887, started into the unknown Wilderness
he took with him 309 officers and men. Al Yam
buya he left rarteot and jameson with 80
men The greater part of the stores were still
at Leopoldvillc, 800 miles down the Congo. in the
care of Mr.. Troup. At Bolobo. 700 miles down
the Congo, were % men and many loads undc
the charge of Ward and Bonny The steamer
Stanley was now to leave lambuya and fetch
back these stores and men. They all arrived on
August Ia only fOuT days later than the date st
for them by Stanley in his letter OF instructions.
Mr.. Troup who had been an officer of the Congo
Free State, and had seen long service III Africa,
was well known to Stanley and thoroughly trusted.
Ward, too, had had much African experience and
thought TO possess the qualifications of
grGt explorer. Bonny, the sole survivor of these
supposedly capable men, when Stanley met the
Rear Column year LATER, an army hospital
of Africa, but proved at critical times Of much
practical advantage. The seven weeks that passed
between Slanley's departure and the arrival Of
Troup, Ward and Benny were spent by Baritc
lot and Jameson strengthening their dcfcnces
and waiting upon the tardy movements Of Iippu
lib. Disaster began almost IS Stanley
back turned. All discipline seemed 10 20
with him, albeit Barttclot kept his whip and
stick a-going night and day. Disease set actively
at work among the men and almost every day"
record begins and ends with death. II is impossb bic
to relieve BarttclOt Of the responsibility OF these
conditions. True, the men left with him were the
poorest Of Stanley's company, fact which Sis
Walter BartteJt attempts 70 employ against
StalNoy, claiming that it converted lambuya
Camp at into hospital and led 10 all
the ensuing disasters. Bat Stanley had before
him 400 miles of rapid marching through
try wholly uncXpOred and known only as contain
ing many savage tribes. TO have burdcned himself
with the care of sick men would have been
premely foolish, especially Barteot of ncceS-
sity had to halt for at least six weeks in a cOun
| Try where food if not easily obtainabe, was far
more certainly at hand than il would be in the
forest on a march. During those six weeks il
was to be presumed that the sick and emaciatcd
would have the best possible chance 10 recover
and grow strong. But they did not, and the con
vction is irresistible that the reason why is 10 be
found in Barttelot's reckless behavior.
The evidence of this is not directly to he found
in Jamesons diary, hOweycr-at least, in the diary
| as printed. If it was put there by jameson it has
been extracted by his friends. Infcrentmlly, il
does appear, for. although in his acknowledged
friendship for Barltelot, he mentions only lew
of the crueltes and foes that have since been
revealed by Troup, Ward, Bonny and the Arabs
and Zanzbars, nevertheless, he does describe the
state of affairs into which the column fell day by
day. and he tells an amending tale of foSgngs and
failures carrying with it its own severe comment
upon Barttclots methods. These were the same men
who had come 1900 miles already, doing their
duty reasonably well; But all at once they become
mutinous and good for nothing. They steal waste.