Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-03
HOPE FOR GREELEY.

Outside of its purely technical features, |
the most interesting portion of the forth |
coming annual report of Secretary of War
Lincoln ID the portion referring to the TN
fortunate Greeley Arctic expedition of the
past season. The propriety of sending a
military officer on mission of that kind
has failed as yet to commend itself to
the popular apprehension, a circum-
stance which tends to emphasize
more distinctly the appreciation of the ex
pedition's failure. The responsibility
for the misfortune in question, is under
going investigation at the hands of court
of inquiry in Washington and pending its
trial, criticism on the subject would be
premature and out of place. Meanwhile,
however, the public will doubtless be in
terested in the official statement furnished
by the secretary of war of the prepare
tons which the government
contemplates making for relieving the
Greeley party from their present disagree
able situation.
Mr.. Lincoln states that the secretaries of
war and the navy have decided that it is
not practicable to send another expedition
to its relief this year. They have consult
ed the most experienced authorities on the
subject and are convinced that little can
be accomplished after the middle of Octo-
Der, at which time there are but few hours
of daylight in the Arctic regions. The
danger of wrecking new relief party in
its attempt to roach Upernavik, the last
settlement to be encountered on the north
ward route, is believed to be far
greater than it would be justifable to in
cur for the chance of rendering aid to the
Greely party. From Upernavik ne aid
this is regarded as wholly impracticable.
The short marches and the long halts,
compelled by the darkness, would compel
the sledging parties to consume 80 much
food that they would have no supplies left
for the succor of Greedy, when they
no depots to draw on, on the
way; they would soon be compelled to re-
trace their route to avoid starvation.
1t is agreeable to learn from Mr.. Lin
ooln that the war department does not
consider the case of the Greedy party as
the advantage of daylight in which to
move, if he left his station, as ordered, no
later than the first of September. It is
thought that the days which might be
lost in fitting out vessel and
in making the voyage to Greenland will
doubtless be utilized by him. The theory
of his safety is formulated by the secre-
tary of war, substantially as follows:
Lieutenant Greeley would probebly ar
rive at Cape Sabine about the middle of
September-if not earlier-when he would
learn of Gariington's disaster and determ-
should attempt to move south
to the Danish settlements he
would have 740 rations at Cape Sabine.
240 more on an island in its vicinity and
240 at Littleton island-suficient without
retrenchm ent for his command. But he
might, it is surmised, choose to regain
Lady Franklin Bay, distant over 25C
miles. There he is known to have more
than years supply of the best assorted
food, including breadstuff, canned meats
fruits, vegetables, chocolates, coffee, milk
preserves, sauces ETC., besides
lights, fuel and shelter. For his jour.
ney northward she woul have at the start
about thirty-nine days food, and on his
road, depots at reasonable distances, in
one of which there were over two
months supplies, and in at least two Others
sufficient for ten days. Lieutenant Greeley
''cannot fail to know" says Secretary
Lincoln in conclusion, shat the most ear
nest efforts will be made to relieve him
next year, and plans will at once be pre-
pared to put on foot ar
EXPEDITION which shall meet all the
wishes of the most anxious friends OF
the party"