New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27


CONGO OR THE NILE-EIGHTEEN
MONTHS ON THE WAY
From The London Times
Reuters Agency Is informed that the following
are the plans formed by Major Gibbons for his
forthcoming expedition through Africa from the
south to the North. The primary object Of tho
journey is the continuation Of the valuable geo.
graphical work already accomplished by the ex
plorer on the Xambesi. after which 1t is hoped
70 continue the journey by way Of the Great
Lakes to the Nile and thence, If the political
situation permits. down that river To Cairo. or.
falling in that to reach the west coast by way II
The Congo An interesting feature Of the cxpe-
dition is the employment OF specially constructed
aluminium launches and bargcs. which can be
taken Ia pieces and put together again. The
petition may thus be divided into as many az
four sections. Major Gibbons intends to leayt
England next month. and To take with him seven
Europeans.
Mr. Montagu Sweet. who has had considerable
experience is a practical mineraioGst in the
Ahtippd"S. has arranged to be a member Of the
expedition. ana among the other members will
probably be Captain Boyd Alexander (1th Rifle
BriSade) as ornithologist. and Lieutcnants Ste
venson Hamilton and Dixon Johnson. both of
the InniskillinS Dragons. The escort Will con-
SiSi Of about dozen picked natives. probably
IuluS. As the journey for the most part viii be
by water the services Of carriers viii only occa-
sonaliy be required. and then arrangements Will
." made with local chiefs The expedition will
FOR its transport rely chiefly on the launch which
~ now DelnS punt Tor the explorer TINS T. made
or sections. each Weighing 40 pounds. which will
lee put together on the Zambes Major GibborI
is also having built sectional towing bargcs The
steamers will have a double set OF engines and
"lll be- forty feet long or. when sCbdiyided. will
form two steamers. each twenty-six feet long.
BY this means Major Gibbons will be able. wher
necessary or advisable. to divide his party intG
two water expeditions each under European
O. mmand. or even to have two land expeditions
Under British leaders we'll. He expects 10 be
"he to get through a great deal more work thaH
il the expedition We're carried out on the usua
lires. Major Gibbons does not believe in TAX
ing large armed parties through Africa. Il
have he says. never experienced great diff
cultcs in this way before. 1t is often impossibl7
to move large armed force without disturb
ances breaking out. on the other hand have
travelled safely alone with only two three boys
among the Mashkolumbwe who are regarded
in South Africa as being dangerous and almost
impossible people. Probably if had had forty
people with me should have had serious trou-
BILE. With large escort there is a real danger
Of offending native susceptibilities. and il il
really only necessary TO take sufficient to make
yourself respected" In addition to their private
sporting rifles the expedition will be armed with
MauSers. and will not take more than live thou
sand rounds of ammunition.
In addition - a grant from the Royal Geo
graphical Society Major Gibbons il receiving
for which he will do special work The expor-
crs chief aim Is 10 continue his former work in
Barotsiland IA far as the Zambesi-Congo water
shed in the north. the Kwando on the west and
to accomplish this part Of his work by January
next. and during that month to leave the Fam
best for the Congo system. WA,n once the Lua-
laba River il entered the stream Will be- de-
seconded to is confluence" with the Luapula with
A view 20 reaching Lake BangweOlo. which it is
Major GlbhOnS's intention 70 circumnavgate.
During this So ton II is hoped 70 :, tile finally
the question " tn" sources Of the Congo Thence
tn" expedition viii return far the Kukuga
IAN overflow from Lake Tanganyika) and
INTO the lake. After straming the 300 miles 10
the north end II Tanganyika the laur hes will be
taken II pieces and carried over the intervening
stretch Of six hundred miles Of almost entirely
VI explored country between that lake and the
Victoria NyanZa. on the expedition reaching the
western shore II the Victoria Lax" the boats
will again be put together and the expedition
Will steam around the lake To Uganda which
Will probably be reached by July OF next year
II the political situation the Nile is then
quiet and 1t is presumed that the Dervish power
viii be broken by that time. Major Gibbons pro-
J. OgcS to 70 down the Nile steaming. excepting
when rapids are encountered. at the rate Of
sever ~ miles day until cairo is reached.
Major Gibbons hopes to perform the whole
journey in about eighteen months. H. does not
think that he Will meet with trouble from nl-
tives until At least after Uganda has been
reached. one Of the chief difficulties will be- the
transport Of the boats between Lakes Tangan-
yika and Victoria. work which will entail the
additional employment Of sixty portcrs. The ex-
plcrers viii hev"r sleep IN their boats. but viii
always pitch camp on the high river bank