The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-24
THE DE- BRAZZA
To Solve The Problem Of a Route to Lake
HChad in Africa,
The Power of the French Flag-A Peculiar
Mans Method of Treating With Peculiar
People-Slaves for a TwO-Cent Necklace.
Special to THE SUNDAY CALL,

PARIS, Jan. 6, 1S92.-Much is said about
an expedition, undertaken by NJ. de Brazza,
in the direction OF the famous Lake Tchad.
Lake Tchad. it will be remembered, has
excited the curiosity Of several powers and
the question of the Tchad route is of great
Importance in connection with French col
OnizatlOn in the center of Africa. The re-
port of NJ. de Brazzas expedition has been
off tally 4nied. That is. denied by the
Colonial Office. but he does not often take
the Colonial Office into his confidence. L
hear from good authority that the eXpedi-
ton is already on its way, and the column
is composed of 600 SeneEaese, well armed
and equipped. There are sixty Europeans,
and these lack nothing; in all, there are
from 1000 to 1900 men with provisions and
ammunition for two years.
Monsieur de BraZZt fOresaw all obstacles
and weighed the consequences before under
taking this difficult and pcrilOuS enterprise;
nothing has been left to chance, and ne
took the most minute precautions before
beginning to execute the programme ne has
traced When Paul Crampel set out on his
most unfortunate expedition, BraZZa had
already decided that his own name should
be known in connection with the 1chad
route; feeling positive that Crampel could
not SUCCEED, because he did not possess the
meAand equipments necessary for success,
BraZza prepared himself, as only he Is capa-
bic Of doing. He knows Africa thoroughly,
and the resources at his disposal in Congo
are enormous. He sent orders to France
for arms, medicines, provisions, etc, and
the French steamers carried twice month
to Congo everything necessary for the Gov
ernor OF Congo. My informant tells me
that some of the merchandise was left at
LibTeYlle and some at BraZzaville. That
left at LibTeville was sent by Alma to the
Oubaudje, where 1t was joined by the meT-
chandIse from BTaZZayille, and, according
TO my informant, the BOXES and bales were
without number.
NJ. DE RRAZZA
Has certainly already left Librevillc, with
his men, and vii proceed up the Shanga as
far as possible, then turn eastward as far as
Chair, and find CTampel, for BraZza has
never believed that his heroic cOmpatrOt IS
dead. II the obstacles be too grea', BraZZa
Will return by the west coast, perhaps by
the Niger. Savorgnan de BraZza has spent
all his own money on African cOnqnests
l was happy enough TO possess a small
fortune" said lie, land | intended to use 1t
for France" AT last the Government gave
him so, 600, and now the faith and genius
OF one man has put France in possession Of
country, Of which 1t Is written, " the
culture Of coffee, Of SugaT-Cane, Of almonds,
OF ebony and other precious woods is dis
claimed, for ivory and cautChUuc yield a
thousand per cent.
Stanley was obliged at first to strew his
path with corpseS. but BrazZi has always
shown himself a benefactor and apostle Of
the black race. His GTst enterprise was
marvellous, perhaps the most marvellous OF
this century. because his only weapon was the
French trj-cOlor. He soughtlnot fortune, but
the glory Of his country and humanity.
BraZZa himself says: The cOlOrs OF France
are forever planted in The center Of Africa
as a symbol Of the grand and generous ideas
that France, more than any other nation,
has contributed 10 tie world. To sustain
tie honor OF nag which SnatcheS the prey
from the hands Of slayedealers is not easy
when one does not wish 10 use violence.
At the beginning | bought the slaves with
money. When they were mine l said win
you remain with me or return 10 your own
cOuutry% Then | made them touch the
French flag, at the same time saying you
are free Those who returned TO their
homes / aiterward found. and they became
my guides, took NE to the center where |
could lbeTate slaves a. the rate of a 2-cent
necklace each. Every where il was known
that a slave who touched the French flag
was free"
Stanley. who with several hundred men,
undermined rocks and made a road
on THE LEFT BANK OF THE CONGO,
Was called the greet stone breaker" by
the Inhabitants, but BrazZa, who brought
peace anu lDtIly, received Luc name,
Father Of the Slaves" very warlike
tribe, the Oubaudjes. which had been at
tackled thrty-two times by Stanley, wished
% prevent the passage OF BrdzZa Forty
chiefs approached IN their boats, and the
leader exclaimed: Here the blood of our
people was shed by white. What do you
wiShT' BTaZZa spoke of the protection
France would give them, and as a pledge
offered the flag. Immediately each chief
demanded one 10 rub against BraZZa' 5, and
the peace was sealed. The little fleet thai
had come with waTiike intentions retired,
decorated with French coOrs.
Once Stanley Wished to found city on
the spot chosen by BraZZa for his capital,
but was obliged TO beat retreat before a
barricade Of trunks of trees, covered with
French flags, which had bceu imurOYlsed
by the negroes. In one of his books Stan
ley relates the meeting with his rival in tie
center Of the unknown country. The
King Of the Begans aud tho Al
rlcan International Association had
provided for Stanley'S needs. One day,
seated in his tent, after breakfast, negro
brought him a piece Of paper on which was
written Count Sayorguan de Brazza." la
a few moments the FTenchman appeared
ana Stanley says: "Brazza looked like a
beggar, his clothes were in tatters and his
feet bare. All bis baggage consisted OF q
box OF flags and tina; Is the way he was pre-
pared To discover territories and conquer
men"
Between that day and this there Is diff
ference, and NJ. de BrazZas chances Of
success are very great, because of the mate
rial at his disposal. 1t i, more than proba-
BILE that the problem of route to Lake
Ichad Will be solved by SavoTgnan de Brazza.
BARON Ess AL1HEA SALVADOR