The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-13
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WONDERS OF THE UPPER NILE.
Regions Recently Explored by White
Men for the First Time.
Baltimore Sun.

At a recent meeting of the Royal Geo
graphical Society an interesting paper was
read by Lieutenant Vandeleur, embodying
the result OF explorations during the last
two years in the region of the upper Nile,
in Uganda and Unyoro and adjacent re-
gions not hitherto visited by white men.
incidentally, his paper reveals the activity
of the English in this part of their African
sphere and the need of the railway from
the Seacoast to Lake Victoria, for which
an appropriation was recently made. LeaV-
ing Momoassa, on the coast, on Sept Z, 1894,
Lieutenant Vandeleur did not reach Lake
Victoria till the end of November, the jour
ney to Uganda thus taking three months
or six months for the round trip. Toward
the beginning of 1895 he proceeded from
Uganda with armed force to descend
the Nile and reached Dufile, being the first
white man to revisit that place after its
abandonment in November, 1883, on the APP
proaCh of the Mahdists. What was done
at Dufile is not stated but it may be as
Sumed that his visit had military object
in view-possibly it's occupation by a Brit
ish garrisOn-and that point on the Nile
is probably now held by forces sent from
Uganda.
During 1895 the whole of northern Unyoro,
toward the Nile, was surveyed, including
the course of the Victoria Nile from Lake
Ibrahim to the Murchison falls and part
of Tango or Wakedi country. Mount
Fumbi. in Unyoro. was found to be $3.50
feet above the sea and some 800 feet above
the adjacent country which is held by
means of Fort Masindi. The valleys are
fertile, producing great quantities of In
dian corn, tobacco, bananas, castor oil, etc.
The Wakedis were found TO be an interest
ing people, living in conical huts in indie
pendent communities. Part of the lieuten-
ants task was to lead expedition sent
to attack Arab SlaVers in southern Unyoro,
with the result of liberating many capuveS.
The MSiSi river reached and near that
stream was found another British fort, 45S2
feet above sea level.
The climate in these uplands is described
as fairly good being drier than that of
Uganda. In July, the coolest month, the
minimum temperature was 40 degrees, the
usual night temperature being 60 degrees.
The highest registered temperature was SO
degrees Peace, enforced by the English.
has led to great Improvement of the eco
nomic condition of the people, who have
settled down to agriculture and road max
ing. The cessation of war has resulted in
rapid increase of the population. In Ugan-
the people are beginning to carry goods and
perform a certain amount of work. Many
have been taught to read and write. A port
has been established on Lake Victoria and
a silver currency introduced. As the peo-
pie have become more civilized and their
wants increase there will be, it is believed,
an increased demand for foreign goods.
OF special interest from the point of view
of intending colonists is the Nandi country,
also visited by Lieutenant Nandeeur. This
above the sea and has a climate well suited
to Europeans. The thermometer here
rarely rises above so degrees and the nights
are cold. There is abundance of grass for
cattle, and for the most part the soil is very
fertile Timber is to be had in great plenty
portance for steamers on Lake Victoria and
for the railway when completed to the
coast. The lecturer mentions the curious
fact that the language of Zanzibar is be-
tween the various peoples in all this part of
Africa