The New York herald., 1874-09-24
New Developments In Arctic &C.
Ography.


ography.
The Austro-Hungarian expedition OF Payo'
and Weyprecht concerning which informa-
ton was received some days ago by cable
seems, after fuller reports, to have accom-
plished an important discovery. Being locked
in the ice they drifted northward, and, when
about two hundred miles from Nova Zembla,
discovered land which was mountainous and
lofty. Coming within three miles of it they
landed over the ice, but found very
little life, either animal or vegetable
They traversed this land to latitude eighty
two degrees five minutes, and sighted
cape in about latitude eighty-three de-
grees, which they called Cape Vienna. To the
land itself they gave the name Francis Joseph,
their Emperor. They saw no limit to the
land in an easterly or westerly direction
Their ship, being still icebound after two
winters, was abandoned, and the party, escap-
ing over the ice first then in boats which they
had dragged until open water was reached,
at length reached Nova Zembla, and, while
coasting southwark, were picked up by fish
ing vessel, from which they were landed at
! Vard0e, in Norway. Long since given up for
lost, they were everywhere received with JOY
not unlike that with which DR.. Kanes party,
whose fortunes were very similar, were re-
ceived in 1855, after their long ice and boat
travel of thousand miles of oyer eighty days,
after abandoning their vessel in Smith Sound.
This discovery of land gives a new phase
to Arctic exploration. The American Arctic
explorer, DR.. Hayes, predicted land here some
years ago, and has never been in favor Of
the route between Spitzbergen and Nova
Zembla. In this he has been supported by
Chief Justice Daily, President Of the Ameri-
can Geographical Society. These gentlemen
have constantly advocated Smith Sound as
the most available route. And, indeed, this
route has come to be known as the American
route. First explored by DR.. Kane in 1S53-54,
it was still further developed by DR..
Hayes in 1S60-61, and from that time to this
the latter explorer has continually asserted
that stout steamer could, in August of any
year. push through to the open sea, which he
believes in, and then to the Pole. These
views were in some measure strengthened by
| the success Of Captain Hall, who, without
any difficulty more than would be experienced
in sailing through the East River, steamed
to latitude eighty-two degrees sixteen minutes
nearer the Pole than any other vessel has ever
! gone. DIR. Hayes thinks Captain Hall was IN
the open sea, which he only reached with dog
sledges in the early spring after travelling
sixty days over the ice, after the fashion
of the Esquimaux. Hayes called his
highest point of land, in latitude
| eighty-two degrees forty-fve minutes,
Cape Union. Captain Hall sighted land
some distance beyond this, and beyond
still reached nearer and American eyes have
still seen land nearer the North Pole than this
last OF the Arctic expeditions of the Austrians.
The question is practically now narrowed down
to a choice between Smith Sound and Behring
Strait, above which large body Of land has
also been discovered. The English, con-
vinced of the advantages of the former by the
American successes, are now making strenu-
GUS efforts to induce their government to fit
out an expedition by way of Smith Sound
This is very likely to be done next spr ing;
but, meanwhile, will not America stir in the
interest of geography and national renown :?
Let us have an American expedition to Smith
Sound, and let either DR.. Hayes or some COM
petent naval officer have charge of it.
The former has been there twice,
and is the discoverer of Grinnell
Land, and it is we'll known that lack OF
funds only has prevented him for years past
from making third trial. Some nation will
ere long plant its flag at the North Pole, and
why not the Stars and Stripes? To be sure,
it would not be an achievement of much
utility, except in purely scientific point Of
view but the nation would be justly proud
of the achievement, an emotion which is
sometimes better than too much glorifying OF
national wealth and prosperity 1t is we'll to
have gallant deeds sometimes done to remind
us that manly heroism and personal sacrifice
for principle or cause has not died out
since there was knight without fear and
without reproach, and Sidney passed the cup
of water to the other wounded soldier.
| Louisiana.
We observe that Judge Atocha has resigned