RECLUSE ON AN ISLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21431, 4 September 1931, Page 9

RECLUSE ON AN ISLAND

MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOE FOUND BY AIR MAIL PILOT (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ‘ ‘ LONDON, September 3; (Received Sept. 3, at 7 p.m.) A remarkable story of the discovery of a .modern Robinson Crusoe bn the Island of-Anao, in the Indian Ocean, comes from the Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post, who records that an air mail pilot who was driven from his course, which lay between Singapore and Fremantle, descended on the island. Immediately on landing he was accosted by a long-bearded man, who was clothed in sackcloth, and he was requested to leave immedately. , The airman learned that the recluse was a German count, who was formerly a captain in the German mercantile marine. He sailed to Australia in 1909 to escape the distraction of his wife’s unfaithfulness, and he set out from Fremantle in a small boat with provisions, arms, and instruments. He encountered a small island, and decided to remain on it. He lived on coconuts, shellfish, and tortoises, and he had not seen a human being for 23 years., He showed great interest on hearing for. the first time of the World War.