The Washington times., 1904-09-07
NOTED SCIENTISTS
HERE FOR MEETING
OF GEOGRAP HERS
Distinguished Delegates
From Many Foreign
Countries.
FIRST TIME In AMERICA
Congress Opens Tomorrow.
Reception to BE Given
Them Tonight.
FIRST TIME IN AMERICA

Van Dyke boards. sharp features, and
an air Of self-dependence are the distin-
gushing marks Of several score of indi-
viduals who were gathered this morning
in the lobby of the Ebbitt House. They
are scientists and explorers. Later in the
day their faces were seen in all parts of
the city where matters Of interest were
to be found.
These are the advance guard of the
delegates to the Eighth International
Geographic Congress, which convenes
here in formal session tomorrow morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
This is the first gathering OF the kind
that has ever been held in the United
States. The selection of the American
Capital for this years congress by the
geograpSers is taken as a complimentary
acknowledgment of the fact that the
United States has worthily won her
spurs in the scientific arena
Distinguished Leaders.
Heretofore. Europe has been the scene
Of these gatherings Former presidents
OF the congress are the Duke di Ser
moneta. Venice. 1851: DR.. Gobat. Bern,
1891; Sir Clemenyts r. Markham. Lon
don, 1895, and Ferdinand Freihprr Won
Ricthofen. Berlin, 1899.
This year the president of The con-
gress is an American-Commande
Robert Z .Peary. the Arctic explorer.
Commando Peary viii preside at the
meetings He arrives tonight
The honorary president is the Presi-
dent Of the United States President
Roosevelt viii be unable to attend the
early sessions. On the return Of the geog-
raphers from their tour. October II. they
will be given reception at the White
House
Kings and Emperors have been former
honorary presidents Of the congress.
Thus far. FIVE foreign countries, Eng
land France. Austria. Germany. and
Australia, have sent representatives to
America to attend the congress.
Visitors of Note.
One of the most interesting visitors
TO arrive today was a French delegate.
J. ThoUlct. He is the personal repre-
sentative of the Prince of Monaco, who
IS a famous oceanographer.
The Prince Of Monaco is one Of the
few princely foreigners who has cared
to devote his private fortune and his
time 70 study Of science In his hand
some yacht. the Alice, named after his
English wife he has cruised up and
down the Mediterranean for ten years
conducting remarkable Investigations
into the bed Of the sea
His principal assistant has been NJ
Thoulet, who arrived here today, bring
ing with him a trunkfuI of maps and
illustrations TO show his fellow-geo
graphers what has been discovered. NJ
Thoulet VIII read a paper before Tn,
congress.
Major St. c. Gibbons, Of England. z
South African explorer, is also another
distinguished foreign visitor Major
Tff ran Hrn mild Of IA
Dark Continent on several expeditions
conducted for the British crown.
In paper he win read before the
congress he viii give valuable infOrma
ton as 70 his explorations
Expert Zoologist.
At the Ebbitt House today was also {,
be met the distinguished geological ex
pert of France, G. Grandidier. Of Paris
DR.. Grandidier's speciality Is the explora
tion Of deep sea fauna. In an address
before the congress he will endeavor &
show the laws which govern the world
wide distribution Of faunas and thei
growth oH the bottom OF the sea.
N. Henri Cordier is another Frenct
delegate. He is president Of the Frencl
Government Geograp phie Society Of Pari,
and has been decorated with the Legion
Of Honor He has made a speciality OF
historical research.
Austria has "A representative in Dir
AdOiph Penck. OF Vienna the famous
t(-ortf,,to5 ON Ninth Papoh