VANISHED EXPLORERS

Shannon News, 1 March 1927, Page 4

VANISHED EXPLORERS

NO NEWS FOII 20 MONTHS. LONDON, Jan. 11. "Where is Colonel P. H. Fawcctt?" asks the Daily News, which emphasises that tho explorer's last message was dated May 30, 1925. Prior to entering the Brazilian jungle, which is inhabited by cavedwelling cannibals. Colonel Fawcett said: "Don't count on any more despatches, as recent trouble with thft Indians makes communication precarious."

Five months still remain of the two years during which Colonel Fawcett told his friends not to worry, but tho Royal Geographical Society is most anxious regarding him. Dr. W. M. McGovern, the wellknown explorer, who has returned from Brazil, discovered no trace of Colonel Fawcctt, and tho society has told volunteers that it has decided not to send a relief expedition, as to find the explorers in the jungle would be almost an impossibility. Colonel P. H. Fawcctt, a British explorer with a distinguished record, sailed on January 12, 1925, from New I York for Rio de Janeiro, for the purpose of smashing through 1500 miles i of jungle-swamp to a hidden ancient city in the heart of Brazil, which he believed would give proof that South America, and not the Valley of the Euphrates, was the cradle of civilisation. The expedition was sanctioned and aided by the Royal Geographi--1 cal Society and the American Geographical Society. Tho site of tho ancient city lies on tho south watershed of the Amazon, between the Xingu and Tapojoz Rivers. The expedition was to visit countries occupied by black dwarfs and pit-dwellers, who live in holes covered with leaves and sticks. The route mapped out skirts the country of the Mundurucus, a robust race of redish-coloured Indians living between the Tapojoz and Paranatinga Rivers, and having women chiefs.

Beyond the ancient city lies the Amazon's country. Eastward is the dwelling-place of the Asusmis, or white Indians. Farther eastward lies an ancient city of majestic Cyclopean architecture, which Colonel Fawcett previously visited. With the party wero Colonel Fawcctt's 23 year old son, Jack, and Mr. Raleigh Kimmel, aged 25..;