Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-21
ROOSEVELr'S AFRICAN TRIP
Wife to Join Him in Upper Egypt and
Be with Him Through Europe.
GRATIFYING LONG AMBITION
IL Co Hunt Biz Game, hut VIII Not
Go cato the Government Pre-
serves, ~ Has Been
Announced.

welt, 30 years OF age, having, OF March
4, with his retirement as twenty-sixth
president OF the United States, completed
over twenty-five years OF public service,
has decided to take rest and recreation in
a two years trip abroad, half Of which
viii be spent in Africa under the British
flag as q aunal naturalist and the other
half in Europe visiting at least three OF
the big capitals. Al the head OF a scien-
tifio expedition QUILTED by the Smith
sonlan Institution OF Washington he will,
with his son, Kermit, and three American
naturalists OF note-Major Edgar A.
Mearns, ]. LorinE Alden and Edmund Hell
ler-make a collection OF mammals, birds,
reptiles, insects and botanical specimens
of Central Africa, which will be deposited
in the United States National museum at
Washington.
TIL party leave New York City about
the middle OF March, going by the Mediter-
ranean route TO Gibraltar and Naples. At
Naples the members OF the expedition viii
board q steamer Of the German East Afri-
can line for Kilindini harbor, Mombasa
island. They will arrivs at the East African
port toward the end OF April, proceed by
the Uganda railway TO NalrobL spend six
months there, then continue by rail- Co Port
Florence, Lake Victoria Nyanza. making a
total distance OF 5s4 miles by rail. The
expedition will cross Uganda by caravan,
and, finally pass down the whole length
OF the Nile, reaching Khartoum about April,
1910. Much of the hunting and specimen
collecting will be done in British East
Africa, where the Uganda railway will be
used as a means of ready transportation
from Nairobi, which will be the base Of
supplies
Mrs. Roosevelt Joins Party.
Al Khartoum, It 10 expected, the president
and his son will be Joined by Mrs. Roose-
welt. who will accompany them on their
trip to Europe. The naturaiists OF the
party will proceed direct to the United
states from Egypt. Mr.. Roosevelt probably
will remain in Continental Europe and
Great Britain about one year, having ac-
oepted invitations to deliver the Romanes
lecture at oxford university, an address at
the sorbonne in Paris and a lecture before
the seudents OF the University OF Berlin.
Long has 1t been the desire OF Mr..
Roosevelt to make a hunting tou into the
heart OF Africa He has made numerous
trips in search Of big game IN every part
OF the United States where such animals
mako their abode. For years he has been
an ardent hunter n a writer OF hunting
stories. Some Of his books on the subject
ARE. Hunting Trips OF q Rahchman,"
written from his experiences while on a
North Dakota ranch, when ne spent two
years raising cattle; Ranoh Life and
Hunting Trail" THE Wilderness Hunter
1.-THE Deer Family" Outdoor Pastimes Of
an American Hunter
Double Reason for Trip.
Mr.. Roosevelt proposes to spend two
IT. IA
two reasons. Rest ana recreation In hunt
ing n scientific research are only the
minor ones. He intends to lput himself
beyond the reach Of those perepns whom.
he believes, would Inevitably seek, II he
were within reach, to use his influence
with the administration If President Will
liam H. Taft. Mr.. Roosevelt is, of course.
aware OF the manner In which the charge
has been circulated that Mr.. Taft would
be only q Roosevelt man as president, and
whatever Mr.. Taft as president might do.
II would be aBcribed to Mr.. R~oosevelt's
influence. II is because Of this situation
that Mr.. Roosevelt decided to take himself
out OF the country whore II would be i'm
possible for anyone to repeat any such
charge against President Taft. Mr., Roose-
welt has well selected a place where his
seclusion in this respect is secure, for
hardly could a more Inaccessible locality
be found. In this connection. Mr.. Roose-
welt, some months before the republican
national convention had nominated Mr..
Taft to the presidency. made a statement
In which he said: 'Tf Mt. Taft In nomi-
mated and elected president, which would
be very gratifying, 1t would make Inn
possible any criticism, II I were abroad. to
the effect that I was debating to him
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and had been turned down In any sue-
gestions."
In travelling abroad Mr.. Roosevelt will
not make any such tour az did General
Grant after retiring from the presidency.
General Grant was received In state by
emperors and kings wherever he went on
his tour around the world. He was feted
as no other American ever has been. Mr..
Roosevelt Will avoid ali that, It being his
desire to travel as q plain American citi-
zen. and spending a good part of his time
in the pursuit Of game: he will put himself
out of the way of social entertainment.
Avoids Government Preserves.
Statements have been made TO the effect
that the game preserves In British East
Africa under control OF the British colonial
government are to be opened to the presi.
Gent and his companions to shoot at Will
No advantage of these offers will be taken
16r. Roosevelt having made up his mind e
decline to do any shooting on government
preserves where the hunting is not open tC
ALL The feeling Of the president on thiI
matter of shooting on government reserva'
tions he explains in this way. A person
taking advantage TO shoot on government
reservations In Africa would be exactly n
the same position OF any foreigners whit
came TO America and was given permis
sion by the United States government Il
Shoot at will In the government reservation
at Yellowstone Park. where the American
buffalo. to be found almost Nowhere else
roams unmolested. The president declares
that such permission rightly would arous
resentment.
Mr. Roosevelt shares with other sports
men the feeling that the wild animals OF
reservations should be protected to the ut
most and that under no circumstance
should permission be given to kill them
except. possibly. when predatory animal
become too numerous for the safety o
other practically defenseless animals. Per
mission for one person TO shoot on a res
ervation. Mr.. Roosevelt believes. would lea
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