The Washington times., 1908-12-12

world VIII be given the general benefits
Of the work Of the expedition.
This enterprise has been one OF ths
most remarkable exploring schemes ever
undertaken in the world. i has COW
cred an area said 10 be as ereat as that
covered BY the Lewis and Clark eX-
pedltion. The scientists OF the party
had an escort Of several hundred troops,
and wac compelled to fight through a
large part of the region traversed.
There have been, indeed. two or three
intimations that International complica-
lons might arise IS "A result Of the
alleged slaughter of natives by this ex-
pedition.
Great Britain. Germany. and France
have been for long time carrying on
surveys or African resources, and con-
dltiOns within their respective spheres
OF control. Altogether. the serious pre-
nmlnary work has already been done;
and the expedition of President RoOse-
welt to Africa next year is expected 70
attract measure o. attention 10 that
continent which nothing less striking
could have centered upon II within a
halt century. Moreover, the PRESIDENT s
expedition viii be itself Of a semi
scientific nature, and importent results
are expected from the observations OF
those who make up the party
China's Mineral Wealth.
From the American point OF view. the
parts OF this suggested international
survey which are Of greatest interest,
relate 70 Asia and South America That
China possesses wonderfully rich fields
Of iron and coal which have been left
undeveloped through thousands OF
years, is vaguely known and universal
y accepted; but the recent explorations
in Tibet have immensely accentuated
the desire fc- real knowledge Of China
Added TO this. the evidence that the
real awakening Of the MOngOlian race
is at hand, has aroused deep concern
as TO the economic effects on the whole
world when the hundreds of millions OF
Asia shall have become producers after
occidental methods. and when the vast
wealth OF their countries shall have
been subjected 10 Western processes OF
reduction TlUs. IL II be true that China
has more and richer iron ore than the
United States. what viii be the effect Of
developing e. Chinese steel corporation
fifty or a hundred years hence2 These
are the questions Plof. Chamberlain &
trip is expected to illumine IN some de-
The mineral wealth Of South America
IS still largely speculative There is
widespread BELIEF that II IS the world S
greatest stoSehOuse Of gold, copper and
silver, with the probability that 10 con
tains diamCnd3 IN greater deposits than
have yet been developed there Its for
ests are Known 70 be the most wonder
ful that the world has seen since the
carboniferOUs age; and the soil Of the
Amazon Valley is declared me most
productive a earth Yet the problem
% controlling the foods OF the Amazon
AID its tributaries is a greater engin-
eerlng question than human ingenuity
has yet encountered
IL Is recognized that such a vast en-
terprise and a TyoTld-census OF wealth
viii require years and q vast expense.
But the scitrtihc world has for some
time been interested in L. and practical
consideration is now being given TO il
By the men who must provide the
means II is believed that Prof. Cham
berlain's trip 70 China, on which he VIII
leave very soon. VIII be followed by q
rapid extension OF the work in ASIA