Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-11-03
Gum As Protection, Brave Woman
Faces Wild Men And Beasts in Congo
BY Billion BRONNER
NEA Service STAFF Writer

LONDON, Nov. 2.-Amer-
lean chewing gum may soon be
the legal tender Of the darkest
Congo.
Just as Arctic explorers swap
ped cum drops for blubber. Mrs.
Diana Strickland, society beauty.
big game shot and scientist. ex-
poets to use vari-flavored stem
ographers delight as an elastic
wedge on her latest expedition
! talked with her just before She
sailed to explore the eastern seetio,
OF the Belgian Congo-one If ' tbr
last OF the unknown territories i,
the dark continent. 80 ~
Waiting on the breeze Of niloe
water WIS the mixed Fragrance Of
many brands of American chewina
gum, lighting for supremacy Of the
dock ozone. ~
WHATS the idea of the chewinp
wax says l. Are you going to
toss it around as sort of tanolr.
loot to capture lions and goril-
las?" "
Don't b silly" snapped the fai.
Diana, with flashing eyes.
Il am taking American chicla
along for two very definite and
serious reason. First of all, We
may strike territory where water, fit
to drink, will be scarce. Then the
chewing gum comes into play. Wen
chew i to ally the parched torture
of extreme thirst. Second, it un-
doubtedly will come in handy when
bartering with natives"
So that's those.
Besides, we think it possible to
set the jungle folks to chewing gum
instead oi--er-but why speak of
the horrors of exploring? The un-
phisticatcd blacks certainly will
like the juicy flavor sof the Ameri.
can produc. That withstands the
fiercest attack OF husky molars.
I'VE want some very rare moths
and butterflies-it's an important
plan Of the expedition. | am not at
all sure that the new market quota
ton may not be--onc stick of chew
ing gum Tor ten rare butterflies.
But mustn't give the impression
that this Is 70 be a frivolous toar Of
the iungleland. 1t isn't at all. Mrs.
Strickland, accompanied by four
other whites, all of whom are cX-
perienced African travellers, has
some very definite objects in view.
She is going to try to capture
alive some Of the giant forest hogs,
having an order for these from the
New York ZOO. Some animals will
will be shot and stuffed for nat
ural history museums. But in the
Min, most of the shooting viii be
done with less deadly camera fire.
The expedition lands at Bona,
On the west coast of Africa, 'and
goes by rail and river to Kenshasa,
a stretch of $50 miles. Then c1mes
a trip Of $50 miles up to kNsai nv
er in little sternwheeler--anq
finally 200 miles up the SunkerF'
river in dugout canoes.
Thee whites, accompanied by 29o
native bearers, will then wave q
goodbye to civilization Cor year
"a year to be- spent in the land OF
big forests, larger mountains, WIG
tribes and wilder animals.
"And what do l get out OF IT!
asked Mrs. Strickland.
"Well," said she answering her
own query after a period Of
thoughtfulness. Il will get away
from London fogs and rains III
ret the thrill OF exploring ne"
Country and shooting big game
There will be new tribes to be seem
"Through my knowledge Of oWa-
hill 7 will gather new stories,
legends and songs. These vii pc
material for book to be "Fitten
on NV return. The movies we take lake
are az another incentive-and finally
VIII finally, l will go to Amer'o'
md lecture all about it.
And why not?
So, a,rnrvh1dV does.