Preparations for the Journey 3 



bodies, I was not surprised to meet with opposition at all points. 

 After weeks of unremitting effort, however, the possibility of 

 the successful execution of my design increased daily. 



After the Colonial Ofiice, through the intervention of Privy 

 Councillor Hans Meyer of Leipzig and the praiseworthy efforts 

 of the Geographical Commission for the Exploration of Pro- 

 tectorates, were finally assured of the real seriousness of my 

 aims, the large sum of money absolutely indispensable for such 

 an undertaking was raised by dint of ceaseless endeavour. The 

 Colonial Office set the example, and, aided by friendly com- 

 mittees, especially at Leipzig, Cologne, Hanover, Dresden and 

 Berlin, it became possible to fix the start of the expedition 

 early in 1907. I was able, therefore, to communicate the good 

 news and the names of those who were to take part in the 

 expedition to Lieutenant von Wiese, who had in the meantime 

 returned to East Africa and without demur had been granted 

 two years' furlough so that he might join the party. 



Lieutenant Weiss applied for the post of topographer and 

 mathematician ; in fact, he seemed predestined for it, as he had 

 been entrusted with the survey work during the great expedition 

 of 1902-1905 in tropical Africa, which laid down the boundaries 

 between the German and the English protectorates. 



From the Geographical and Palaeontological Institute at the 

 Berlin University I managed to secure Herr Egon Fr. Kirschstein, 

 to whom was allotted the special task of collating material 

 respecting the Virunga volcanic groups of Kiwu. The Botanical 

 Institute sent me Dr. Mildbraed, the Zoological Institute Dr. 

 Schubotz, and the Royal Ethnological Museum appointed 

 Dr. Czekanowski to join the expedition. As bacteriologist and 

 doctor I received Dr. von Raven from the Institute for Infectious 

 Diseases. The party was completed by my servant Weidemann, 

 who had twice before accompanied me to the dark regions of 

 the earth, and by Non-commissioned Officer Czeczatka of the 

 East African Colonial Force, who had also received furlough 

 for the purpose of accompanying me. 



Thanks to the courtesy of the Colonial Force, thirty-five 



