Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-12
THE STEAMER JEANETTE.
Current Reports of Disaster TO
the Exploring Ve1sscI De-
scribed by Lieutenant
SohWatIxa.
Unreliability OrStatements Made
by the Natives Explained.

New York Herald lOth.l
Among those best informed in Arc
tic affairs there seems to be consider
able doubt as to the accuracy OF the
reports from the Ochotsk sea. concern.
ing the loss OF the exploring steamer
Jeanette and some whalers. In order
to obtain the views Of those to whose
opinion in this matter Importance
should be attached, a reporter of this
paper yesterday waited upon IIieuten
anrSchwatka, with whom the follow
log conversation was held:
Have you read the paragraphs in
the Herald of Sundiy, which were
copied from exchanges, concerning the
loss OF the Jeanette and the two
missing whalers2'
Lieutenant Schwatka-I have. and.
in fact, always read with great in
terest anything concerning that expe-
ditiou.
Reporter-What is your opinion
concerning the credibillty Of the in
formation?
Lieutenant Schwatka-I attach no
Importance to it whatever.
Reporter-Upon what grounds, may
Task, do you base your doubts2
Lieutenant Schwatka--I read that
the information comes from whalers
or traders who profess to have obtain
ed it from natives, and in such cases
| always think there is sufficient rea-
son for doubt, as il is SO much the
habit of those who are not thoroughly
acquainted swith the methed Of ab-
stracting the truth from savages to
first make up their minds as to aresult
and then ask leading questions t.
evolve substantiatlng testimony.
Reporter Then you have no faith
in the testimony OF savages derived
by asking what the lawyers call lead
ing questions?
Lieutenant SchwOtka-Ncne what
ever,
NATIVE CHARACTER FOR TRUTHFUL.
NESS.
Reportor--Do you regard the peo-
pie of those latitudes as truthful and
reliable?
Lieutenant Schwatka In a general
way l would say yes, In my inter
course with the Esquimaux scattered
over a large part Of the Arctic terrific
ry l have found they generally aim to
be truthful. But they are SO kind
hearted and obliging that they would
not Intentionally wound your feelings
upon any consideration. Consequent.
ly, ifyou ask them questions pointedly
they are very apt to give you the an
swer they think you want. 1t requires
seme tact and experience TO get the
truth iTem them. If they Of their
own free will aud without questioning
came to you and related the circum-
stance Of certain vessels having been
crushed and pieces washed ashore
IL think their statements would
be entitled 10 consideration. Tbi.
information, however, cemeg in
such roundabout way that | am CON
strained to discredit il entirely. To
Judge from the San Franeisoo dis
patches to the Herald this morning il
seems as sifsome tives came overland
and told some whalers who shouted II
Russian whaler (whether 10 the
Russian language or not is not stated)
who told some one else Eho went t.
Japan and published the story in q
newspaper that the Jeanette and two
whalers had been crushed in the ice
How they identified the Jeanette OF
whether her name was written in the
| Korak language for their convenience
i. not explained. Nc this seems tC
be altogether too much involved =
occasion any alarm for the safety oi
the Jeannette aud her gallant crew
Is there anything more | can do fol
your
Thank you. Nothing at present