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 Office, 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 
