The Washington times., 1922-02-26
By DR.. w. II. BALLOU,


Martin johnson, super-explor-
ar, stating that he and Mrs.
johnson had arrived at Nairobi,
East Africa, and would outfit there
70 take a moving picture expedi-
ton into the great Congo forest,
to get pictures of the Okapi in its
lair. He stated that Just about
the time his communication
reached New York he would be
starting for this earth's greatest
inferno.
Many readers will have already
surmised what the above state
ment means. They will have read
Roosevelt Heller's work. Life
Histories Of African Game Nam
mails" and know that the great
Smithsonian Institution expedi-
ton outfitted at Nairobi. They
may even recall that the Rev. w.
8. Rainsford, Of New York City.
outfitted his wonderfully success
full African expedition At Nairobi.
Probably Carl and Mrs. Akeley
are QUILTING there now before
venturing after the gorilla. And
the reader has heard Of such in
trepid pen as Lang and Chaplin.
OF the American Museum, who out
lifted there. What the reader
doesn't know about is that strang-
est of existing animals. the okapi,
that the Johnsons are TO risk their
lives just to photograph for the
benefit Of the worlds moving pic
tCre audiences.
CONGO'S DEATH FOREST.
All the courage and endurance
which this intrepid young couple
displayed in Borneo, the New Heb
rides, etc. In moving picture ex-
ploratior, will be needed. enforced
a thousand per cent. in this Afri-
can venture. Many enter the Con-
70 forest. few emerge alive. Few
escape the ravages OF the deadly
fever and sickness housed there.
lust inside the fringe of jungle,
and nearly all white men that
crawl out alive remain, for greater
or less periods, human wrecks.
The great assets of the johnson
honeymooners is youth and cour-
age, and on that asset I place my
bet that they win. The Congo
region is one thing; it's jungle an
other.
The word outfitting sounds
simple, but is II? You could buy
all the supplies needed in London
for a song. as compared to the cost
at Nairobi. but explorers have
learned much during the past quar-
ter Of a century. and know that the
ultimate cost is least IL supplies
are obtained at the point nearest
the objective. Take Colonel Roose.
velts word for it:
Quitting should be done on
the spot. Messrs. Newland, Tarl-
ton & Co, Nairobi, attended to our
outfit. and were we to repeat the
trip, we would go to them again"
MUST HAVE "POSHO."
One can't move in an East
African jungle without full sup
plies. The attitudes range up to
10000 feet. the dense woodlands
covering the highest points. There
are impossible ravines and deep.
swamp-edged narrow streams,
everywhere making 1t necessary to
do much digging, rough bridging
and roadmaking A loaded vehicle
will require thirty.two oxen 10
haul It.
One item alone is two or three
tons of fine salt for the preserva-
ton Of skins, also a very expensive
luxury In Africa. A large working
tent is required. large enough for
many men to perform many func-
lions at once.
But the big item is posho, or
native food Of ground meal. the
greatest item and difficulty Of all
African explorers, and must be
had, not at intervals, but always.
An expedition breaks down and is
ruined at that moment when
posho gives out, since not
native will move another step.
The African governments re-
quire that each native of the expe-
dition shall have a pound and a
half Of posho daily, and the ex-
plorer must produce it pronto or
quit. No posho and the native Is
relieved OF all obligation. Daily
posho and the native Is bound to
continue to the bitter end.
EXPERT TRAIL FINDERS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Johnson are utili.
ring the services OF 100 Of the most
experienced natives, many OF
whom have bsttled the jungles
with other and famous explorers.
This means $50 pounds OF posho