New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-14
ARCTIC hYPLOR1TION.

Probablv not less than a half dozen eXpl0r-
ing expeditions will be dispatched to the Arc
tic Ocean during the present year. some OF
them. especially those designed for the north
eIn shores of ASIA, may have commercial en-
terprises chiefly IN view; but whatever the
main object, they all promise an extension OF
scicntliic research in the frozen zone. More
exact knowledge is thus sure to he attained OF
the ocean currents of the north of the move
mept of ice and the chances for open
channels; of the outlines OF land ana
perhaps of its unsupported location in
space that is now blank on our maps
of polar regions; and of Supplies OF
food and fuel that can support human lie
on what are at present deemed innospitaoie
shores Every fresh portion of such knowi-
edge gained is help to further progress In
the same direction. II is now generally adj
m,ted that such progress must be slow. FOR
tune NAV, indeed, favor the brave. and unhoped-
for chances may prepare the way TOR direct
VOYAGE To higher attitudes than have yet been
attained. The Polarls missed such an oppor-
tunitv. il is supposed. by only few hours,
when far 10 Robeson's Channel. Yet it is
ou.st,ou. if the vessel had gained that advan-
tacc and penetrated through an opening in the
ice TO the unknown regions OF land or water
Dryuu,l, whether the ship or crew would ever
have found their way back again.
The Howgate colony plan concentrates the
advantages we have enumerated, along single
line Of research. 1t will hold each vantage
ground when gained, as the sallying point for
n new venture. Its method is one long recOg-
nizcd in warfare-tO keep open c0mmunica-
tions To the rear. When its stations of succ0r
are established far up Smiths Sound, the vOy-
age 10 the north of them will be robbed of
half its terrors Time will be given thus to
seize opportunity. If one Summer does not
offer an open passage, another may. The
North Pole may not thus be reached in three
years, or in five, or perhaps in ten; but the
chances of reaching it and getting back again
in safety will at least be vastly increased.
For many years the leading authorities on
Arctic exploration have been ranged in hostile
camps. The discussions as to the best routes,
that began at the time of the expeditions sent
TO search for Sir John Franklin's remains,
were more numerous than the explorers, and
more bitter than the storms they encountered.
The controversy over the "Open Polar Sea"
ragged with fury few years ago, and even
now is scarcely quoted. The Howgate expe-
dition is singhlarly fortunate in gaining APP
prevail from nearly all these quarrelsome sages;
on this point they at last agree. IL its work is
fairly begun this year. it will gain whatever adj
vantage may accrue from an unusually open
Winter and early Spring; but to do this its
appropriation must not be delayed month or
more in Congress. If so delayed it may have
to wait another year. and thus be distanced i'll
the race by the expeditions which other
nations will send this Summer Popular feel
ing undoubtedly favOrs liberal support of
this undertaking. and its expense will be at
most a mere fraction of the cost of the Eng
lish expedition under Captain Mares, while
there is no risk of Its bringing back crews
sickened with scurvy, to report the Pole
"impractcable."
Thanks to the liberal enterprise of Mr..
James Gordon Bennett, there is to be more
than one Polar expedition this year under the
American flag. Both Houses have acted with
commendable promptness in passing the bill
that facilitates that expedition by giving the
Pandora an American register. A like
promptness should be shown in aiding the
Howgate expedition, which is essentially ma
tlonal in its character.