Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-02
To Correspondents.
The Movement Upon the North Pole.

There is a fascination about explorations i'm
unknown lands that makes men count as moth
ing the extremes of heat and cold, hunger,
thirst, and fatigue. The mystery which sur
rounds the Polar regions. and the success
with which its barriers of ice have guarded its
secrets in the past, are maddening to the eX-
plOrer and geOgrapher The poles have an at
tractiye power for those who yearn to know
the hitherto unknown and to see the hitherto
unseen, like that which they exercise over the
magnetic needle. With us both man and nee
die are iTreSiStbly turned nOrthward Were
no advantages whatever TO be derived from
the discovery of the pole, it would still be
the goal of many an adventurous spirit. But
science has taken up the matter and will util.
ize all the pluck and daring that the world can
place at its disposal. And it is through Scien-
tifc discoveries and not commercial advan-
tageS that polar explorations will benefit man.
kind. Magnetism, that wonderful force which
men name and think they know, may yet I'M
told Its laws through polar investigations.
The plan of operations against the
North pole now in contemplation is
to attack it by system of gradual
approaches. 4 colony is to be estab-
lished on the shore of Lady Franklin bay.
near where seam of coal has been diScOv-
cred Strong substantial buildings are to be
carried there. and the cOlOniStS are to be fur
nished with provisions and other necessary
supplies for three years. The scientific men
who accompany the expedition are to be pro-
yided with telephones and telegraph lines, for
maintaining communication between success
Siye stations, balloons for purposes of ObSer-
Walton, ETC., etc. 1t is thought that the colon
lists will gradually become acclimated. and
may, by pushing forward when circumstances
are favorable, eventually succeed in accom-
plishing the long-sought end. This plan was
tad mar hr-n nd
is now brought forward by Captain Howgate.
1t is unanimously approved by all who are in
tereSted in the subject of Polar Investigation,
including many whose experience in such mat
tiers gives their opinions convincing force. 1t
IS possible that government may aid the ex-
petition by, at least, providing a vessel to
carry the cOlOniStS and their supplies to their
destination. 1t is to be hoped that the wis
dom of the method pursued, and the extreme
precautions to be taken to ensure success,
may prevent this attempt from adding all
other to long list of failures.
The Sultan demands an armiStice of the
Car and frantically telegraphs to all the capt.
tails of Europe for information concerning his
missing peace plenipOtentiarieS and the re-
suits OF their labOrS. The Car expresses
great Indignation At being suspected of lack of
good faith in the crafty prOlOngatiOn of mill
toAS dliu IuctnNIllIt HIS lTOOpS
have advanced within twenty-fOur hours
march of COnstantinople. England says that
Russia must not attack GallpOi: Russia re-
plies that she will not. unless Turkish troops
are sent there: Turkish troops are maSsing at
Galilpch. There is rumOr that there was a
probability OF the signing of peace conditions
and an armiStice on Thursday. The extreme
defniteness of this interesting bit of iuforma-
ton will cheer the heart OF every one who
hopes for peace. The fact that the English
premier and the Greek premier, whose voices
are still for war, were never before in higher
favor among their cOuntrymen. the enthusiast
tic anti Russian demonstrations in England,
and the recent diplomatic moves of Austria
and Italy. will all serve, however. to inspire
uneasy doubts as to the prospect OF an imme-
date settlement OF difficulties.
~~~
when did HE STAR meet with change of
heart on the popular suffrage question in this
DlStrict?-[ Republican.
III the Republican will consult our files il
will see that We came under conviction as long
ago as Murder Bay got control at the polls in
the District. III our neighbOr makes a little
further enquiry ii VIII find that the entire
body OF the taxpayers of the District came to
the same conclusion at the same time Fur
thermOre, if the Republican will undertake
to inform itself in regard to the wishes of the
citizens who have to bear the burden of debt
and taxation it will no doubt experience a
change of heart"
Brazil IS having a cabinet scandal. The
minister OF finance was member of a ring
was involved in some 'crOokednesS," and not
TO drop our expressive newspaper parlance,
was bounced" by the Emperor. Southwark
the fraudulent and corrupt practices of civli-
cation take their way .
NINE. L. p. JEANNERET.