New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-05
THE NORTHERNMOST COLONY.

The letter on the Greedy Arctic Colony which
appears on another page is at once racy and
outspoken in manner and practical IN matter.
The author. DR.. Merriam, has recently been
North under tho auspices of the Smithsonian
Institution for the purpose of studying the
habits and procuring specimens of species OF
North Atlantic seals, and his pride as an Amer
lean has been touched by the structures which
he has heard in Newfoundland or the habits OF
the officers and men connected with the recent
expeditions to the upper waters OF Smith
Sound. We hope that the army officers i'm
plicated will be able to prove that their con-
duct has not been discredtable either to them
selves or to their country, and that they have
suffered unjustly from the asperslons OF The
natives. As ttSDr. Merram's practical suG-
Ceslions, I've commend them to the careful
consideration of those who arc organizing this
senson's relief expedition. He agrees with us
that two ships ought to be sent in place OF one
and both of them vessels that unlike the
Jeannette, will "lift" when @nipped in the
Iceland we in turn support his view that the
laboring men OF the expedition ought to be
recruited from the hardy Newfoundland seal
fsbermen. We arc still inclined to believe
that. like DR.. Hoadley, he exaggerates the perils
and difficulties of the sledge journey from Lady
Franklin Sound to Life Boat Cove. That Jour
ney cannot be more arduous than the longest
march northward from the Tegetthoff in Franz
Josef Land-,a march conducted by Lieutenant
PAYER. who, like Lieutenant Greedy, was an army
officer !; nor can it be so hazardous as the re-
treats across the Ice In the open sea from the
same vessel, from the Ezra and from the Jean
nette. The Signal Service Office, however,
will be held responsible for the rescue of the
colonists and cannot afford to neglect any pre-
cautions nor to spare any exertions to secure
the complete success of this seasons relief ex-
petition.
Without referring in detail to DR.. Merriam's
suggestions, we wish to lay stress on two points
not considered in his letter. The first relates
TO the mems of transportation at the command
Of Lieutenant Greely's party. They were
nrovided with u steam launch, which will
nrobably be left behind at Lady Franklin Bay.
ard ala. with whaleboat belonging to Sir
George Nares's expedition. This was found by
the Proteus at Cape Hawkes. and was carried
north TO their winter-quarters. There will DO
twenty three men, if all survive the two years
wintering, to drag this heavy boat and ii 1t he
abandoned on the journey or be crushed In the
loo there ia no other boat which can be used in
crossinp Smiths Sound to Lttleton Island,
wbere there are certain to be broad reaches OF
omen water Now tho vessel which enters
these waters this summer ought to stop at Cape
Isabella, where boat was left by the relief ex-
nedition last year, and land it at Cape Sabine,
where it ought to have been placed by Lleuten-
ant Beebe. 1t is useless where it Is now, as
fine marty in retreat will not go 80 far south us
Cane Isabella, whereas at Cape Sabine it might
nroye nf great service in the last stage of the
;ourney to Littleton Island. Secondly, Lieu
tenant Greely's party in abandoning their sig
nal station and marching south 200 miles will
baye four provision depots on the way. The
first Is at Carl Ritter Bay, fifty miles from
winter quarters where the PIOteus landed
provisions on the way to the station; the next
il AT Cape Collinson, sixty-iive miles further,
where Sir George Mares landed supplies eight
wears ago the third is at Cape Hawkes., forty
eight miles further where the Proteus over
hauled in 1881 the provisions left there by the
English expedition; and the fourth is at Cape
Sabine, where the Neptune called last season.
This last station will he within the range of
telescopes at Life Boat Coves where the relief
party is to be established. There is, therefore,
a Gordon of supply depots at comparatively
short intervals in tho direct line of march OF
the retreatng colonists. This fact ought to
reassure those who are undulY anxious re-
speeding their rescue.