ACHIEVEMENT In Face of Danger

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22727, 3 June 1939, Page 19

ACHIEVEMENT In Face of Danger

The bravery of modern explorers of all nations_ in face of danfV'r is astonishing. In 1938 Dr. Wilhelm Filehner returned to Berlin alter loin perilous years in the great wastes between China and India. '’roubles began as soon ns he left Lanchow in China, for when he reached the border of Tibet, bandits with maehinc-guns and handgrenades hovered on the outskirts ot his camps, and when these had been leil behind his Chinese servants, who had no love ot dangerous living, mutinied because they wanted to go back. At Khotan the Padishah flung Filehner and his fellow German info prison, and even a good photographic camera was not accented when offered as a substitute for passports they had never had. The camera was taken, but the doctor remained in prison. Treated worse than dogs, and often in peril of sudden death, the brave German explorer made for himself a rough wireless set and listened tor news. A ray of sunshine shone when a British Consul-General came from Kashgar. Filehner, at the risk ot his life, contrived to let him know of his plight, and the British Consul got in touch with Berlin. After more anxious days the two brave men were released, and hi ter they returned to Germany, well satisfied with their journey.