EXPLORER DIES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1932, Page 2

EXPLORER DIES

VISIT TO FRENCH MOROCCO. LONDON, April 1. Michel Vieuchange, a. young French explorer, had heard ot Sinara, city <>J mystery, at the edge of French Morocco, and lie determined to see it. He did see it, he even took pictures o. it, hut the adventure cost him his Hie. Ho returned to Agadir and civilisation eighty days after lie started out, only to die in the hospital there as a result ol the hardships he had suffered. 1* ultimately his scribbed notes and his little photography were saved and those are now being published for the world to see.

Sinara is beyond civilisation, where uiipacified French Morocco touches Rio de Oro. Miles upon miles of desert surround it. Before Vieucluinge’s visit, no white man had even been there. An automobile lias never been: within fifty miles of it. Its people have no desire to see anything beyond their land of thirst and snakes, or to experience anything beyond the free life o.' desert brigands.

Their band is against all other Moors, especially those v.hat cultivate the land and sell to the French. They hate all civilised men, especially white men.

When Michel Vieuehango determined to go to Sinara a landowner of South Morocco gave him as his attendant a trustworthy Moor.’ He went disguised as a woman of the people, in flowing blue veils and gown, with a native family. The first part of the journey was on loot, the latter part on cnuielhaek. His tiny kodak was sa ely carried beneath the blue veils.

Towards the end of his stay among these people mysterious and disquieting rumours began to circulate to the effect that a Homin' (white foreigner) was in their midst. This boded ill lor A ieu-

ehange, especially when one sheik su’d

•‘i I;is net an .American bunting mines. !Je i s sure] v a Frenchman who spies to see how our great city, Sinara, can be taken." It was then time for Vioucliange to leave, and lie did, but too late. When lie bad reached the first outpost oil the return trip a military aeronla'ie carried him to A<r ulir and the hospital and deal li.