The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-25

proves ordinarily favorable. In the event. how
ever OF inability to push through Smith Sound
with steamer and the work devoves upon sledge
ana boat expeditions large force and we'll or
ganized plan will become necessary Then sys.
TEN OF depots will have to be established, and
this can only be done effectively by large body OF
men. / say men, because dogs, which are the
beasts OF burden native to the region are OF very
doubtful utility for any permanent hard WORK.
They are good for swift travelling, but are inferior
men as mere transporters of stores; be-
sides they consume more food ana Will
not drag as heavy burden each. AS
rule the English searchers for Sir John Fran Kiln.
dragging their own sledges, have performed better
work than the journeys generally made with dogs
although may mention tina. have once over
horrible track, accomplished neary 1900 miles In
sixty days with q team Of very inferior ANIMALS.
In this connection it may not be inappropriate
for me to observe that the greatest benefits may
result from international cooperation, and this l
most heartily desire may be accomplished. II the
English would as Is proposed. as understand by
themselves, aoandon their project for the present
year and give time for other nations interested In
the matter to lay their plans, think that sum.
cent force could be gathered in Smith SQUAD
next year to positively insure success, no matter
what endorsements might come TO the summer
naVlxatO0s IOur su88ebtlOus III tu1S EespeCt axe
timely aud admirable.
ON THE PART OF THE GERMANS
there is a decided inclination to once more try
conclusions with the ice on the east side OF Gre en-
land, and there has been talk about an EXPEDITION
by way OF BehrinR Strait In any event should
hope TOR a well adjusted plan Of cooperation from
every quarter. Geographically speaking. the most
interesting part OF the unexplored regions OF the
North lies Immediately TO the eastward and the
westward OF smith Sound. should the Germans
succeed In forcing their way through the ice In
their iavorite direction can conceive OF the
probabilities OF their meeting with any expedition
that might 60 through Smith Sound to the ex.
treme north coast OF Greenland. For I believe
that the general position OF the coast OF north
Greenland Is already established. That 1t does
not trend away TO the eastward beyond latitude
seventy.nv is ab1ndantly shown by the tact that
the ice, under the influence of the southerly
setting current and the northern wind, is jammed
upon the shore, a fact which proves conclusivey
that the land trends 10 the northwest. do not,
therefore think the route In that direction as prom
ising as the oher think IT probable that there IL
an expansion OF the sea mort beast to Spitzbe rgen
and northwest to Washington Land, which forms
great reservoir. as 1t were, for the southerly
setting ice. To the westward Of Grinnell Land,
toward Prince Patrick Land. there is q similar res
eEVOlT Win Scttlu8 Current, DOLu OF WlQ0
and sea. These regions are separated by Smith
SOUND and its continuing channels. and with, as
/ have observed, land Q basis Of operations,
here believe q higher latitude can De attained
by persistent effort than BY any effort from any
other quarter.
THE rNGLIsH AND AMERICAN sEARcHERs
for Franklin have brought the system Of travel
with sledges down TO such fine point that very
little need be satdthe principle being light sleds.
concentrated iood, warm clothing and little extra
baggage the snow hut OF the Esquimaux being
used Tor night shelter. In my longest Journeys 1
have never carried more than ten pounds oil extra
baggage 10 the man, ana never used a tent nor
other fire than Q small lamp and furnace for cook
ing. The food should be carefully prepared at
home, and nothing 10 better than the ordinary
pemmican, which Ia but dried meat mixed with tat
and hermeticaly sealed in cans or kegs The idea
OF subsstIng upon the resources OF the country
should not be entertained for q moment. Aud no
one should pride himself upon being able to live
after the fashion OF the natives, who eat enormous
quantities Of fresh animal food. ofentlmes quite
raw. The question Of getting to the North Pole
by sedge and boat Ii a question OF science, and
depends, - much as upon anything else, into how
small space one can crowd q oay's rationA Half
q pound per day OF prepared meat, with a little
bread, found to be sufficient ration for any man
In tho coolest weather. satisfying hunger
rs we'll as the needs oil nature Under sIm ar
circumstances an Esquimaux upon his own diet
OF seal fesn and bluober, would n OF sustain him.
self mucn less than twenty times that quantity.
II he question OF getting to the Pole depends
upon sledges and boats there cannot be too lar ge
force OF men, for the depot system, uo TO the
highest point OF land, will become an absolute ne
cessity. 1t was through the mere lack or physical
force IN my snip's company that 1 was not able to
get my boat from Port Foulke to the Polar Sea Ia
1891. Fifty men could have accomplished all that
desired, while ten could not, and the excessive
labor ultimately broke them down, ana 1 was com.
Pole, which am more than ever convinced can
be made from the open water OF Rooeson strait.
THE ROUTES.
/ have not failed on all proper occasions to pre-
sent TO the public the great advantages OF Smith
sound route TO the NORTH Pole. I have done this
against the Judgment OF the distinguished geog
rapher. ny Trend, DR.. A. Petermann, OF Gotna
wHo, In discussing the question, declared smith
souno to be mere cul de sac, an hypothesis Tor
which there 10 no more evidence than there IL for
mis- projection OF Greenland across the Arctic
ocean to Bshring strait l have done IL also
against the general doubt OF the existence OF an
opeu Polar Sea. II 10 gratifying TO see at length
That they are coming 10 my way OF thinking. Dr..
Petermann lops Oh tint end Oh has imaginary Green.
land and conceaes that Smith Sound leads IL to
the Arctic Ocean, and the English and Austrian
Arctic explorers unite In saying, AFTER long
period OF unpsei. thar smith sound 10, alter Gil,
the trus highway to the Pole, and the Ensish pre-.
pose 70 prove thss lsasA ~ 81 sxpssAmsns