FLYING THE SAHARA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 65, 12 March 1912, Page 8

FLYING THE SAHARA.

AX ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY. With a view to linding a' practical route for flying across the Sahara, a young Frenchman, M. le More, from Tours, lias accomplished, almost alone, a journey across tho desert over a distance of 12U0 miles, which is in itself a record. M. Je More hate returned after a trip of thirteean months, fully convinced that the flight across the high tableland between Algeria and the Niger is possible if a sufficient number of relay stations are cstablisi v cd. He set out with a view to selecting those points, having left Tours one morning with nothing but a bag and a few necessary things besides. He proceeded to Algeria. General Bailloud there gave him a letter, and the Governor supplied him with a few papers. Ho went as far as the train took him and then travelled by wagon to Ghardaia. Hero civilisation came .to an end, and he had to look about for some equipment to cross tho desert. Ho purchased a rifle, ammunition, and a camel, and obtained the services of an Arab guide, who on an emergency could act as interpreter! Ho was also joined by a white native named Sassi, who had roved a good deal over the desert, and who left his wife and children, urged on by adventures further south. Tho three men, mounted like Meharis, i&tarted out one morning to map out the future aviation route across tho desert. Their only baggage besides their arms was a small folding bed and some provisions. They arrived some eight days later at El Golea, having observed various suitable relay spots on route for avriators. They were cordially welcomed by the French soldiers at this little military outpost, and wore supplied with a tent, that added greatly to their comfort. They set out again, and thirteen days later they reached Salah, at the end of tho Algerian spurs. Hero M le More found a Frenchman, M. Godehergo and his wife, who enjoy tho reputation of providential helings in tho midst of the desert. Relay Posts for Aeroplanes. If M. le More could thus traverse tho Sahara almost unaccompanied, there is no reason why tho same journey might not ho made by aeroplanes, with proper relay posts. A cavalry sergeant who wished to go further south joined them, and accompanied them through the Takaoumharet gorges, which are described as magnificent. They reached Tama rasset, where a missionary, Father Fourcaud, lives quite alone in a hut. He is a retired officer, and has been living for

it!!o last ten years in that part of the desert. The cavalry sergeant hero desert. They also met Lieutenant Signet at this place. He had.just returned from a pursuit cl are, hu r hand, half way across the desert. The cavalry sergeant here ieit him, and M. 1c More once more sot out with only his two companions iiicross tho most difficult part of the Sahara. They travelled for twentynine days without meeting a huma : tiding, and finally reached Kidal, o ; the confines of the Upper Niger plateau. Tho sight of tilt-0 tricolour flag of his country over Kidal, says M. lo More, filled him, after such a prolonged solitary journey, with emotion. Between Kidal and Gao, a journey f f ten. days, they travelled over Ics.; safe country, and there were frequent alarms. llohbor hands were in tho district, and several recent graces showed that there had been fighting. The rest of the trip from Gao to Ihnbnctoo was, of course, by river, and this was simply a pleasure journey compared to what they had gone through. M. lo More is not only convinced that relay stations may ho easily established, but he hopes to lie one of the first to fly across tho Sahara.