The New York herald., 1878-12-18
The swedish Arctic Expedition.

Letters from Professor Nordenskj5lds
practicable northeast passage from Western
Europe to Behring Strait via the Kara Sea.
have been received, and there now exists
no doubt that the attempt has been crowned
with success. After penetrating the Kara Sea
with his steamers, the Vega and Lena, Pro-
fessor Nordenskjold reached the mouth of
the Yenisei. From Dickson's Port, trad
ing point established there by the Pro-
fessor during former stay, the expe-
ditionary steamers sailed along the
coast line toward Cape Cheljuskin
or the North Cape Of Asia, which was
passed successfully. The voyage continued
until finally the mouth Of the River Lena
was reached-an achievement unequalled
in these seas. The details Of the voyages
Of Nordenskj0ld, as we'll as the RESUME Of
the history Of exploration in the Kara Sea
and its vicinity, will be rendered more in
teresting by On examination of the accom-
panying chart, which shows the immense
extent Of continental coast line explored,
the positions Of the North Capes Of Europe
and Asia and Of the great rivers of Siberia
that pour into the Arctic Ocean. The
reader can easily imagine the commercial
advantages of navigable route from
Western Europe to Japan and China
via the Kara Sea and Behring Strait.
Such route, if found practicable for
steamers even during few months of each
year, would open up to trade the northern
half Of the vast continent Of Asia now
drained by the rivers Obi, Yenisei and
Lena, which will, without doubt, prove
navignble for great distances from their
mouths. Professor Nordenskj6ld has shown
already that trading vessels carrying profit
able cargoes can reach the mouth Of the
Yenisei in August and September, and so as
to return to Europe laden with marketable
freight before the ice again closes the Kara
Sea.
The success of Professor Nordenskj6lds
Arctic explorations goes to prove the wisdom
of the Swedes, who, instead of following
the routes pursued by the English SO long
and so fruitlessly, have struck out new
line, and with very great, if not complete,
success. No one doubts that the Swedish
ship Vega, in which NordenskjoId is com
pleting his voyage to Behring Strait, will
reach Japanese or American port. In
deed she is said by whalers to be near the
Strait, but beses with ice, and has thus prac-
tically made the journey. The progress of
Swedish exploration in this case proves the
wisdom Of the late DIR. Petermann and others
who urged the adoption of new routes, and
shows that the way to greater discoveries and
perhaps to the Pole itself is not by Bafins
Bay and Smith Sound, but via either
Behring Strait or Spitzbergen. The Ameri-
can expedition which will leave San Fran
cisco next June. may, perhaps, in case
Professor Nordenskjold's vessel meets with
any mishap this winter, which Heaven
forbid, fall in with his party and be able
to offer them a means Of rescue. Should
such prove to be the case no doubt the
Swedish explorers, having accomplished SO
much by way Of the northeast passage,
would seize the opportunity to join forces
with the Americans and proceed with them
toward the Pole 1t would be at least
great achievement to add SO much to the
geographical knowledge of the world, as
would be contributed by o thorough ex-
ploration Of the land to the northwest of
Herald Island, even though the secret Of
the Pole should not be reached.