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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

me to give a brief account of the course of the expedition and its most important results, and to advance any wishes I might have for the future. We agreed that Sm should tell the story of the expedition while I stated our desires. I did not touch upon the different paragraphs in the contract of April 26th 1927 in a single word, except for one point. It had been laid down in the contract that the expedition was not to last longer than two years. I now requested a prolongation of this period by one year, but Liu FU generously suggested two years, or until May 9th 1931.

I also asked to be allowed to include three more Swedish geologists and palaeontologists as well as three young Chinese scientists, as the student Ts'ui and the topographer CHAN had resigned, and in Professor Sm's opinion KUNG the photographer could be done without. This request was granted.

I asked for the support and recommendation of the committee, as Sm and myself would shortly be applying for the protection of the Central Government against the arbitrary treatment of the expedition by the Governor of Sinkiang. To this end a petition was to be sent to General CHIANG KAI-SHEK and the ministers in Nanking.

My next request was for permission to use aeroplanes for geographical and archaeological reconnoitring work. To this the committee replied that they were not qualified to decide in the matter, but that they could apply to the government for two Chinese aeroplanes to be placed at the disposition of the expedition free of charge.

Finally, the committee promised its strong support for my application that the expedition be granted permission to use a postage-stamp of its own. I had the idea of this source of revenue from the English Mount Everest expedition, that had its own postage-stamp and that according to what I had been told by its geologist, ODELL, had derived a not inconsiderable income therefrom.

The committee gave its consent on all points, but emphasized that a definite answer could be given only by the government in Nanking.

After the happy issue of this committee-meeting I intended to journey down to Nanking as soon as possible; but I was held up till the end of the month by continual delays. Now it was lectures that I was asked to give, now official receptions and visits, and again magnificent banquets. Strictly speaking, this time was not wasted. We made many friends in the academic world, and moreover, we had a certain duty towards the students. Besides, through the popularity that we enjoyed it is possible that we struck a blow or two for Old Sweden.

A LECTURE TO THE STUDENTS

My first lecture took place in the great hall of the former parliament building, and for audience we had the professors and students of the National University. All the 1,200 seats were occupied and there were many standing in the aisles.

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