The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-19
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5 SCANDINAVIAN NEWS. +
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Observation-Disclosures. .:t.:E.f..E..*s.f.335>

To the December number OF Mcclure S
Magazine Mr.. r. II. Sherard contributes
an illustrated article on the explorations
OF DR.. Sven Hedin IN Thibet. Mr.. Sherard
says that for pluck and perseverance in
overcoming obstacles and difficulties and
for courage before danger DIR. Sven He
din can take rank with DR.. Nansen, the
Norwegian explorer, while in accomplish
ment his travels have perhaps been even
more prolific than Nansen's OF his re-
cent journey through Central Asia, which
lasted for a period of three years and
seven months, and which took him from
Orenhurg in the west TO Pekin i'm the east.
this may be said: That he not only did all
that he had promised his king that he
would do when the King equipped him for
the expedition. but many things besides OF
high scientific Importance. He discovered
the ruins of two Buddhist towns In the
heart of Mohammedaa country ruins
which tell of high civilization where now
Is only desert waste: he settled con-
troversy which for years had divided the
geoeraphers Of Europe into two camps.
And as the accomplishment was far great
er than he had expected or hoped for, so
also were the difficulties and dangers in
eomparably more formda BILE than he had
anticipated 1t fell to him In his journey
across the TAXA Makan desert 10 undergo
sufferings which assuredly beat the rec
journey had no other result than 10 show
how man by shee, strength OF will and
determination To save his life can fight
death and triumph over IL. Sven Hedin's
story would be full Of direct encourage
ment to every one w1o heard IL told.
Sven Hedin is still a young man. He
was 81 last February Yet his last journey
was tbs third Journey of exploration that
he has undertaken IN Asia Until he was
about % he intended TO become a Polar
explorer. He relinqushed this project be-
cause II seemed 10 him that the dark re-
gion of Central Asia offered a field OF
wider scientific interest than the frozen
seas Of the North; and Hedins scientific
interests have very wide range. In the
hrst place geographer, his studies en-
brace all the many sciences which are in
relation 10 geography. This science he
has studied with passionate application
ever since he could resi.
Dr. Heeiin devoted his early manhood 20
the compilation Of maps and everything
ne undertook was done with view 20
ruture explorations in Asia. which ne had
already planned In his boyhood days Tie
studied Persian. Turkish and Tartar As
private tutor he cared $3.50. and this
sum he used 70 take a first journey
through Persia. which he has described
tn his book, Through Persia Mesopo-
tan1ia and Caucasus" In tsar he again
visited Persia as an attache o. a special
embassy sent by the shah OF Persia
The third expedition into unknown Asia
lasted three years and seven months and
cost him "a 90 crowns of which sum 20 90
crowns had been subscribed By King Os-
ear. Emmanuel Noble and other wealthy
Swedes. interested in scientific researches.
The start ~as made on October il. 1893.
via ST. Petersburg Moscow and Orenberg
20 the village OF Tashksnt beyond the
kfrshsz steT7pss. a distance Of 2e1 k:io-
meters. From Tashkeut, Dr.. Esdin pro-
ceeted via Margelan. the capital Of Ferg-
hana, across the Pamir range az mount
aims ard the Sarik-Kai range into Chinese
territory. utntsrinE at Ksshgar. In Feb
ruary. lss5. he left IRE town Of Kasngar
with four Turkish servants ana eight fire
csufels. In crossing the Tskia-Makan
desert. which had never before been ex-
psored. be was compelled 10 leave HIS
c&riels ard servants. who gave up in de-
SPAR for lack % water
Net deferred however. by his friwhtsul
experiences. pF. H@din again returned 70
the desert ard discovered tire ruins OF sew
srsi Buddhist towns which Rae been
abandoned centuries ago as the advarc-
tn4 eunAs et sand marched On and trans.