New-York tribune., 1881-12-15

NOyaia Iemlia, making nOftH""i" u'i''
steam. He had provisions of all xmas loi
fourteen months and about two years supply
of 0onr. but he had no intention OF spenuihs
tbe winter among the islands OF the Austrian
proup. As he has not returned, the inference
of his friends and relatives Is that the Ezra
has either been caught in the pack or has been
slut in on the coast Of Franz josef Land.
They have accordingly prevailed upon the
Roval Geographical Society, whose gold medal
be won last year, to request the BRUSH UoN-
crnment to send out well-equlpped steamer
next summer to his relief.
II is nrobable that the Admiralty will comply
with the request. Leigh Smith has conducted
his various expeditions at his own FISK aS wei
os expense, and the Government Is under no
ohlicat1ons to yield to the solicitations OF his
relatives: but an expedition Of succor always
has irresistible charm for people with mari
timo instincts ike the English. This Is
modest yachtsman, who has not only fitted out
oxncJition after expedition with his private
means. cypending $4,000 in all, but has also
shared the hardships and dangers with his hired
s.ilors He is a man after the English heart,
and anv action which the Admiralty may take
IN effect his release from Arctic Imprisonment
will meet with popular approval. tie may De
ccnsurcd for attempting to reach so hgh Il latl-
tude in a steam yacht of 800 tons burden, with
80 scanty IA supply of provisions, but his courage
and enthusiasm command respect, ana the
pcris TO which his exploits nave finally exposed
him excite sympathetic s0lictude. II the Ezra
is drifting with the pack, as is highly probable
her commander will have the same desperate
resource of which the Austrian explorers
ovoilcd thcmsclvcs-that of deserving his ship
and rnccting n retreat by hauling his boats
across foes in the direction Of Novala Lemlla.
If thc Yacht has been compelled to winter north
of the Arctic Circle it is extremely doubtful II
her supplies will hold ont until the lee breaks
up. I'm either case the Ezra Is bcset with perIiS
and in imminent need of succor.
This is not the only crrand of mercy which
the ROYAL Geographical Society has IN mint
The fate of the Jeanette was the main topic
discussed nj IT'S recent meeting and while there
was "A marked division of opinion III reference
to her probable position, whether east or west
of the Bchring Strait meridian, there vas
hearty concurrence in the presiding officers
opipiop that the British Government should
take part in the work of relief precisely as
Americans had united in the search for SIT
John Franklin. II is probable that the Ad-
miralty will be urged to send British ship
from the Pacific squadron to Bchring STRAIT to
coorcratc with the Rodgers in the operations OF
the coming summer. If such a relief vessel
should bc dispatched, the exploration could be
made in opposite directions east and west along
the American and Siberian coasts. In that
event Congress would be asked TO sanction
additional outlay, and second American relief
vessel conid bc sent to Lancaster Sound and
Melville Bay In recognition of British aId m
the Arctic basin and on the banks OF the Mac
kcnlic. the Alliance could also be ordered to
repeat her experience of last summer, with IN
structons TO cruise between Spzbcrgcn and
Noyain Zcmia in the hope Of rendering aid to
the Era One good turn deserves another
even I'm the highest latitudcs.