The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-07-18

the officers, military, naval and scientific,
who have been prominently identified with
tho original expedition of 1881, the relief
expeditions of 1852, 1883 and 1884, shows
an almost universal verdict that the Greedy
party and Commander Schley's relief fleet
did their duty nobly, faultlessly and fear
lessly.
No doubt is left but that the Greedy
party was composed of the best selected,
best qualified and equipped men that ever
attempted a journey of hardship and priva-
tion, and that for more than two years of
great severity they conducted magnif-
Gently successful campaign, executing their
orders to the letter, accomplishing more
than the most sanguine had expected,
making important discoveries and observa-
tons and surprising all previous explorers
in forcing their way northward. All this
success and triumph was accomplished
without sickness, without accident, with
out the loss Of records or instruments,
without serious error, and the triumph
ant party proceeded southwark in perfect
condition and strictly following the pro-
gramme laid down before their departure
and outlined in Greely's advices sent back
to Washington in 1881 by the vessel that
took him northward.
Up to this time the record Of the expcd-
tion is unequaled in brilliancy of achieve
ment and perfection of discipline and man
agement.
Then comes the record of disappointment,
mlsmangement and stupidity, for which the
headquarters at Washington seem to bs re-
fponsible.
Greedy had done his whole duty; had
done more than his duty and brought his
entire party back in safety and health to
the place decided upon for his relief.
The Neptune, in 1882, and the Proteus
and Yantic, in 1888, sailed by Cape Sabine
with shipsful of provisions and stores of
every kind. Two of these vessels at least
could have and should have emptied
their stores upon the Cape. Reason
showed that they should have
done so. None of them were ordered
10 do go, and none of them did so. Near
this cape the Greedy party landed in safety,
and here, whore enough provisions had
been taken and brought back to st. John
by two relief vessels, they lived on lichens,
shrimps and sealskp garments and perished
| fiOm starvation.
Terrible and sickening is the idea of such
failure, such incredible failure, as this.
Clear 1t is to all that the provisions which
| could have been so easily left would have
preserved all alive aud well. Clear it i:
that relief party stationed at Lifeboai
| Cove could have reached and rescued Greedy
| and his men unharmed and sound in
| health.
Once moro tho record changes to one Of
| success. From the moment of the return
! of the Proteus and Yantic crews to st
John everything has been done that coult
have been done.
The Proteus Court of Inquiry logically
and clearly outlined the exact situation
Secretaries Lincoln and Chandler tool
effective measures Congress acted
promptly, an advisory board did its worl
well.
Three splendid vessels were selected, I
complement of dauntless officers and mel
secured, an expedition faultlessly planned
equipped and executed, aud by gallantry
brilliant achievement and unhesitatinj
resolution did all that human agency coult
to make up for the errors and failures o
two preceding years.
With the dispatches of yesterday and to
day the story ends, tragic and startling il
all its features, grand and terrible in man.
| of its results.