t 
* 
You may actually find certain difficulties in obtaining a 
place in the hotels, if you do not make reservations in advance. 
I am attaching to the documents that I am sending a notice of the 
Office du Tourism du Congo Beige et du Randa-IJrundi, in which you 
will find mentioned the hotels with information concerning them. 
This will make it easier to make reservations. 
It will certainly be interesting for you to visit the National 
Park of Kagera, but I fear that this will involve a detour that 
your already very heavy program will make difficult. Nevertheless, 
I should like it, if such is your intention, that you notify me in 
order that I may warn the Conservateur of this park, as well as 
those of the other perks where you wish to go, so that you may be 
assured, as well as your companions, of the best reception. 
I believe, on the other hand, that it would be advantageous 
for the Smithsonian Institution to warn (advise or write) the 
General Government at Leopoldville, in order to underline the 
official character of your trip. You may bring in arms, and the 
permissions will be delivered to you at Leopoldville or at Matadi. 
I definitely suggest that you request from the General Government 
a scientific hunting permit which will cover you in regard to the 
collections that you hope to make. 
If I can give you any other information, I shall be very happy 
to write to you and to facilitate in this way your proposed trip, 
which I hope will accomplish to the very best all your desires. 
Please believe, dear Mr. Schmitt, in this expression of my 
distinguished and entirely devoted sentiments. 
/s/ V. Van Straelen 
President of the Institut 
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