Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-23
not more, who will vote for Hancock
that voted for Porter.
SECRETS OF THE POLE.
Sir George Richards on the Fate of
the Jeanette.
Schwatka Criticised.

BY French cable to the New York HeTald,l
LONDON, October 20. Vice Ad-
miral Sir George Henry Richards
writes two-column resume of the
Schwatka expedition in the Times
this morning, in which he discredits
the idea Of cannibalsm. He does not
think any records would be in exist.
ence after they had been exposed to
thaw OF thirty summers He believes
that Lieutenant Schwatka's search
must in this respect be considered
final. He also discredits the theory
that bad food caused the death Of
Franklin's party.
THE JEANETTE.
Vice Admiral Richards also writes
TO me from Vancouver house, Forest
hill, about the Jeanette, whose fate
is now commanding more and more
attention in English geographical
circles. He writes You have asked
my opinion regarding the safety of the
eannette, and whether | should con
slider her absence for another winter
as indicative Of her possible loss or
simply Of her having penetrated to
very high point of north latitude. ]
gather that the Jeanette was
last seen about Cape Szerdze. on the
Asiatic side Of Behring strait,on Aug
ust 20, 1879; that she was then
starting for Wrangell Land to the
north, and that she was provisioned
for three years. We know that there
is great difficulty in getting north
IRON any Of these narrow straits either
on the west or east side Of America
on account Of the ice choking their
entrances in trying to find an outlet,
but nayigable channel water has been
found both TO the east and to the west
near the coasts of America and Sibe-
ria on account Of the shoaliness of the
coasts and the ice consequently
grounding outside. | do not there
fore think that the Jeanette
succeeded in getting far TO
the north. The Uorwin, the vessel
which was sent in search of her, does
not appear to have got to the north Of
a line drawn from Point Barrow, on
the east, to Herald island, on the
west 1t appears to me probable that
the Jeanette may have wintered on
the coast Of Wrangell Land. and that
if she did she would have tried to re-
turn south before the end of the nav
igable season this autumn, and it is
quite possible she may still do so up
to the end~of this month. On the
other hand, she was aware of the Vegas
discoveries, and that the vessel had
all but completed the north passage in
the summer of 1879, and, being unable
to get north herself, may we'll have
determined to repeat the feat of Nor
denskiold and Palander in an opposite
direction. This, of course, is specula
ton. If the Jeanette had any spe,
eific instructions for her guidance, oae
would be able to offer a more decided
opinion after pursuing them. | should
think the probabilities are very great
against her having been destroyed
in the ice, and though there will, Of
course, be cause for anxiety
should she not return by Behring
Strait this autumn, | should have
confident hope that she would be
heard of on the coast of Siberia or
turn up next summer at Nova Zembla.
| scarcely think it probable that she
could have tiied to make the passage
eastward along the coast of America.
though, of course. it is possible. My
opinion is that if the Jeanette is not
heard Of before the navigation through
Behring Strait is actually closed ar
rangements should be made at Ssn
Francisco for vessel to proceed in
search Of her next May. 1t is preml-
ture to say without a good deal of CON
sideration what actual steps should be
taken. Mr.. James Gordon Bennett
will, no doubt, seek advice from the
Vega expedition, and he may be Ger
tain that all English Arctic men will
be ready to join in any council which
he may decide to consult in reference
to the proper action to take when the
time comes to act.
am your very obedient servant,
GEORGE HESRY RICHARDS,
Vice Admiral.