New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-06
MODERN ARGONAUTS.
ROSY DREAMS OF "a TRIO OF FEAR
LESS ADVENTURES" WHO HOPE TO
FOUND A SOUTH SEA REPUBLIC.

FOUND A SOUTH SEA REPUBLIC.
worth. without fndorsement. Maybe the nj
legged facts nre not solely products OF a vivid
Imagination. Maybe there IL some island In
the South Pacific with nrea of 1000
square miles and a population of $4,000 not
yet under the flag of any nation, but there
are 90 be numerou. unbeIfevers until
the place has been located a little more de-
hnfteIy.
Chicago Oct 2 CSpeciaD.-Under the leadership
Of trio Of fearless advenurers. two from Chicago
and the other American citizen at present
residing in Antwerp. Belgium party numbering
$50 representatives OF leading families OF New-fork
and Detroit will sail early in December on an
argonautic expedition across the broad Pacific
The charts which they will carry with them de-
scribe group Of dozen islands scattered
through the South Pacific Ocean. The diagrams
are guarded with the utmost secrecy, and even
those whose have been selected from
huge pile Of applications to accompany the ex-
petition have been unable to obtain lasting look
at the exact location of the islands of the
The prime the expedition is Albert
Haag. American scientist and mining engineer
who has travelled The world over time and again
II was during cruise in the South Seas almost
ten years ago that Haag is said TO have acciden
tally come upon the patches Of land in midsea His
coiaborer in preparing for the expedition is Dr.
Emil Dorm. German physician retired from gen.
eral practice and, according to his story.
hoential secretary the great German statesman
r. Forchhammer. a nephew of Dorm. These three
viii form the vanguard of the expedition.
The svowed object of the excursion is said TO be
for the purpose of searching for the immense riches
In gold. silver and copper which the islands
known to possess in unlimited quantities. The
treasures are to be gained only after combating
with the numerous perils, which greater than
those which beset forefathers. Haag in his
description Of the Islands says he found them to
be possessed OF a semi-tropcal climate purer and
IA hesI+ he has
visited The soil is richly fertile and tropical vege
.ation grows in abundance The natives live con-
tinually in luxury and No one has been able
10 estimate the value of the minerals hidden be-
meath the surface.
The population Of the entire group has been put
at 5000. OF the twelve islands three large
and well settled. The others in comparison
much smaller and sparsely inhabited The spots
OF earth of about 1900 square miles.
Savage tribes of natives closely kindred to the
eborigines which formerly overran Australia roam
at win the territory. where to the present
the feet Of white have seldom trod
Each tribe has its primitive form of govern
ment- head man, or chief. is the only executive.
and he directs the affairs of his followers. Almost
Is per cent Of the population is made up of cann
balls, and these massacred and devoured thirty
French sailors who were shipwrecked and washed
up on the Islands about eight years Haag,
who in the vicinity some months later. learned
Of the slaughter and with party of heavily armed
miners, who were en- route TO Africa. descended
ISLANDS
with the natives finally victorious and pushed
his way into the interior. After they had
thoroughly explored the surroundings the miners
continued their voyage TO Africa, and Haag
turned 10 New-York, where he spent several years
in endeagoring to interest capitalists. A deal was
almost completed whereby Haag would be supplied
with the necessary funds to equip expedition
and start for the Pacific islands again. when he
suddenly called upon by a European mining
concern to take charge Of their interests in Brazil
fir,fE ing ~,
transferred TO Abyssinia. After much urging
the company has given the engineer leave of
aence for year. and ne is preparing
carry his long dreamed of plans in regard
the South Pacific islands.
DIR. Dorm, who has been an associate of Haag
for many years both in this country and in Europe,
has been quietly keeping up the Pacific islands agi-
tation during his friends absence. Some weeks
ago he received a letter from Antwerp, which
read:
Dear Sir: I received your favor August 2.
and very glad know your readiness enter
Pac oan have no 10 5 Size 5u n tb bae
we can get hold OF the entire group reasonable
,h The inhabitants sti live in tribes but Of
mostly easy going people somewhat inclined toward
CIVILIZATION great many of the natives are still
not much. The climate is to be compared with
e Of G4 there e 10 ep S on oG
silver and copper. These found in greater
the face Of the earth Do your best to get the or
ganizaton Of the company under way at once. so
start early in December. Yours truly.
ALBERT HAAG
The company been capitalized for $500 Ooo and
this fund will be used for the purchase and to
make provision for the development of islands
Articles OF Incorporation will shortly be taken out
tn the State OF New-York. Upon receipt of Haag's
letter Dr. Dorm issued call for volunteers in
New-York and Detroit. intending later to extend
the summons TO Chicago. but this step was I'M
necessary. he was swamped with applications a
week after the call went out The first thousand
applications inspected. and $50 young men
ranging In age between twenty and thirty were
selected. MANY OF them college graduates bent
adventure: others have served in Philippines
and in Cuba. Taken whole they sturdy
fellows and well fitted for the task before
them.
These young will be expected to fight If
necessary, and will be equipped for every emer-
W. si VIII Ine mem en- S nS Nm IN 70 serve US
Of the expedition Once landed the islands
telephones, sewers. etc. and instructing the
tives In the ways OF civilization preparatory to
having them become citizens. Every dollar of the
place in the expedition has been taken. We are no
longer seeking aid from any one"
II is expected that two years will be required
10 organize the new colony. a republican form of
government viii be established. and the natives
viii be admitted TO citizenship as soon they
able to demonstrate their fitness The party
VIII san from San Francisco early in December
II is estimated that the trip will consume six
The whole enterprise will be solely
American; boat carrying the Stars and Stripes
will be chartered, and the Yankee sentiment will
rule everything concerning the expedition The
promoters hold the secret of the location of the
out they Will experience much trouble with Eng
land and Germany in gaining possession.
The Islands are said to be situated in the South
Pacific Ocean, near possessions of England and
Germany, and strangely enough according to the
story told by the promoters of the expedition
neither country has made any effort 10 hois; its