The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-19
.KOSOE'S CAVE
IS HABITABLE,
SCIENTIST SAYS
Prof. Bryan Brings Back In
(. tereStirg Facts From Island
| Where DetDe'S Hero Spent
Four Years in Solitude.
BY ELLIS n MARTIN.
tlntsrntlonai News Service STAFF Cor.
reSpondertD

SAN FRANCISCO Aug. l"-Llttle
boys who vearn g. follow in the foot
steps Of Robinsul, Cgusoc win he happy
&c learn that the ave in which Dcfoe $
able and unchanged since the day when
Crusoe and his man Friday reigned
supreme.
This cheering news for the younger
generation was brought back to civil.
Eation by Or william Alsnson Bryan
professor OF zoology and geology Of the
| University Of Hawaii after year
travel in Latin America and South Ia
/ cific waters in search Of evidence e
prove or djSprove the theory OF CONT
mental suhmergenCc in thu Pacific al
the explanation OF the existence OF thu
various island groups Of Polynesia.
The search for evidence carried Prof
| Bryan over IS 900 miles Of land and
sea travel filled with hsrdships anc
| perils, the recounting Of which outdoes
| the experience OF Robinson Crusoe
However. inasmuch as he gathered data
| OF highest value to the scientific world
he considers the trip worth all the
hardshIps 1t cost him. He traced the
origin OF plants and animals native tC
these isolated islands and secured much
evidence 10 support the theory Of con
tinental submergence.
I'll bring back with me" he said
'facts that tend to show that some time
| probably within the cretaceous period
Of geologic time-therc existed a land
connection extending from the San Juan
Fernandez island. 400 miles off Val
/, paradise. 20 the Hawaiian group, dis
tanck Of e, 900 miles
Despite the scientific value OF the in.
Vestigations OF Prof, Bryan TO young
America his visit to the island of Rob
insoh Crtsoe assumes paramount IN
terest.
PTpf. Bryan remained alone for two
days and two nights on Masatierra, OF
the Juan Fernandez group--the island
where Alexander Selkirk, between 1904
and 1909, lived the experiences that iur-
nishhd the basis for the classic ad-
ltenthre of Robinson Crusoe' He ad-
hereh as strictly as possible to the
primitive mode OF living adopted OF
ieceksity by the famous shipwrecked
mariner He cooked his simple meals.
furnished by the sparse plant and AMI
NAL life OF Masatierra, In the shelt-
like oven chiseled by Selkirk out OF the
solid rock OF the cave, The lonely hae-
itation lies in an isolated valley, sur
rounded by great towering mountains,
and Is reached from the colonized part
bf the island only after many hours on
b stormy sea.
Prof Bryan also made extensive in
Sestfgatons in Easter island, the most
highly Isolated land in the world IN
This island" he explained, lis 2, 100
miles off the coast of Chile. In order
10 reach II travelled by, n small tramp
sailing vessel. the trip occupying TWO
months Of time and requiring over 1000
inilek OF &lling The primitive inhabi-
tantS OF these islands We're Polynesians
And were Neelebrated for their wonder
full stone monoliths, Of which between
BOO and 600 remain on the island IN an
area 10 miles long by seven miles vide,
IA great scientific problem has always
been lust how these monuments were
made and transported from one part
bf the island to the other ana SCI up
In native burial temples by these print
live Ipeople. Many OF the monuments
weigh as much as 80 tons, and there
are Is many as l6 set up in single
temble, feel that have gained the
Inflammation that will tend to elucidate
the culture OF these interesting people.
Prbf BRYAN Is attending the Pan-Pa .
blficI congress of distinguished men OF
| kcIence from all countries In and about
{ the Pacific. called under the auspices
/ 81 the Bishop museum, of Honolulu
THE purpose of the conference ls t'
formulate plans for a complete anthTo.
Islands Of the Pacific As far back as
ieO7 Prof Bryan originated plan TOT
Pacific exploration when he organized
the Pacific scientific institute, but was
Interfered with because Andrew car
negies desired TO have the great lO0-
inch telescope Of Mount Wilson com .
nietaa before his death. The present
congress ia a reNvification OF the idea,
and a progressing under the Leadership
az Or. Gregory. Of Yale university, now
head Of the Bishop museum.