New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-04

MAJOR JEAN MARCHAND.
see his name in the papers. Unlike General Gordon
he takes life easily. He is nveterate smoker, Is
the raciest OF storytelers when his glass OF cham
payne is before him and very popular with the
ladies. Physically he Is anything but strong man.
have often thought that his lungs were weak
and how he ever braved the journey shall never
understand"
HONOR on ALL HANDS.
When Marchand returned to France from Fa-
shoda honors were showered upon him from all
sides They took the form OF testimonials Of all
kinds and descriptions from addresses and di-
plomas from the Government. checks for large sums
OF money and degrees. to honorary membership in
societies and ORGANIZATIONS OF all kinds The bear
OF a gold medal from a society OF artists gave
his colleagues his impressions OF the man whom
they had honored in these words:
He is a nobleman Of Gods creation He looks
man whose heroism has been constantly and We
toriously tested. lie Is OF few words. but
the little he says Is packed with expression. One
can see that he is straight. unsophisticated and
superior the petty sides OF life His countenance
is of inehabe sweetness. but carewOrn. and in his
thoughtful moods and almost stern. His
eyes are dreamy-the eyes OF one used TO reading
vide horizon and wondering what Is behind"
Until his arrival at Fashoda last October Mar
/ chand who is only thirty-three years old was
/ known except in a small circle. For upward OF
| two years he had been engaged in mission on
] the Upper Nile the real object OF which care
/ fully concealed as long possible The lost prov
inces Of Egypt 70 be appropriated for France,
! the Dervishes the Upper Nile to be con-
quered, but the world must not know the true OBJ
ject Of the mission, and geographical research and
! scientific investiga ton among the masks
which by the expedition.
PRAISED BY THE COLONIAL OFFICE.
His work in the soudan before May u. 1896. when
| he embarked at Bordeaux his mission. had at
tracted the attention Of the Colonial office. He had
shown extraordinary resource and facility In the
discovery Of ways and means for carrying out de-
sira BILE projects and Of the dangerous and
! arduous missions ever undertaken In Africa was
placed in his hands on the strength OF the reputa-
| ton he had made in the French Soudan before he
was thirty years old"
The record OF Marchand's work. which ended by
securing for France valuable commercial facilities
! In the Nile country and extension of French infu-
ence in Central Soudan. shows that July q. 1896.
he and his little band landed the coast OF West
| Africa. He had with him at that time eighteen
officers and sub-oficers Of the French Army and
| Navy a physician an Interpreter and hundred
! and fifty native soldiers.
Seven months later the expedition reached Stan
| ley Pool. Besides the necessary equipment. camp
supplies and scientific instruments. the expedition
carried two gunboats in sections and number Of
steel and aluminium small boats and barges. OBJ
stacles every step. but the most serious
| difficulties were encountered when the expedition
neared the outskirts OF the country at the
| mouth OF the Bornu. 1t Marchand's intention
10 go by this waterway 20 the Nile; but the river
was unknown and its depth and navigability had
10 be ascertained.
UNDAUNTED BY DISCOURAGEMENTS.
A party consisting Of officers and men started on
| Nav / to explore the river and remained away
twenty days The report which came TO Marchand
was extremely dtscouraging and less determined
! man would have felt justified in giving up the
| venture Five high falls and thirty smaller ones
| were found the upper stream. but beyond these
| there was good reason 10 look for navlgable water
and Marchand determined to 90 around the falls.
| In order TO do this road had TO be built, and no
| time was lost in doing this The road was made
| thirty feet wide and covered with trunks OF trees
from which the bark had been stripped. so that the
| boats might be hauled over them. The barges ana
boats were launched and started on the journey up
the river and when one Of the falls was reached
they were taken out of the stream and hauled on
the road past the obstruction. To do this from
had 10 work al the ropes When the rapids or falls
passed the vessels We're aunrt1 ibs neH OBJ
struction was encountered. when the operation was
Rfrer two months Of hard work the falls were
passed and even then there was doubt as 10 the
Unless the river was found navigabe, there were
three hundred miles Of mountain forests rak,h ss
noated on the waters leading TO the Nile but ne
strong expedition which Marchand sent 70 ra
Mas deep and navigable above the cataract region
end Narchands expedition went to within forty,
ane niles OF the Nile basin and had accomplished
he task OF going from Brazzayille' on STANLEY
POOL a distance Of 2.o6i miles by Congo waters
TROUBLE STILL TO COME
But the troubles OF the expedition were sun
growing although much had been accomplished.
rr,o o,,nhoats and the barges had to be dismanted
ana dsmembered again. and carried on the backs
~ thousands OF men through woods marshes and
brush more than a hundred miles TO river on
vh,cb the tourney might be continued. on the way
Tarchand erected four forts. which were USED as
fpses for his operations the Nile. and he placed
btrseIf i'm communication with these places. over
h,cb he had planted the French flag after he had
sntrred and taken possession Of Fashods.
The Intrepid explorer had good cause 10 reel oe-
snandent when the promised RELIEF did not reach
him al Fashoda and some people believe that ne
felt himself lost and before him the rate whieh
hefeI Gordon. One writer said; - . -.
aPossibly In his distress and desperation hA feit