Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-10
NORTH POLAR RESEARCH.
NAVAL OFFICERS DISCUSS IT..
DANENHOWER's PAPER.

That Further Expeditions are Not Ad-
visable-Lieut. Greedy Takes an oppo-
site View of the QuestiOn-Advan-
tages OF Franz Joseph Land.
ANNAPOLIS, ND, Oct. 9.-The United
States Naval Institute, composed Of Off
GERS of the navy, discussed at the Naval
Academy tonight Danenhower's paper
on "North Polar Researches" in
which he takes the ground that there
is no continent yet undiscovered in the
North polar basin and that the only lands
yet unknown are some small islands aud
groups Of islands, and the scientific
knowledge yet to be obtained is not worth
the loss Of life and treasure that will be
| required for future expeditions.
CAPT. MARES VIEWS.
Capt. Mares, in his criticism, considered
Lieut.. Danenhower's paper an able and
trustworthy one, but did not want the
reader 20 be deceived by the term "Open
water" as navigable water. He was
certain that no vessel will ever be able to
navigate successfully in the Arctic ocean
north Of Smiths sound. He agreed with
the author as to the intrinsic value OF
Arctic explorations. He believed 1t TO be
Of the first Importance to a nation 20
foster within due limits the spirit OF
enterprise, and ventured 10 predict that
further Arctic research viii be under-
taken before many years are passed.
ENGINEER MELVILLE DIFFERS.
Chief engineers George ". Melville.
Of the United States Navy, writes that he
agrees that the work of the explorers Of
the past bas been well done, but be does
not concur with Lieut. Danenhower, Ell
ther in his selection Of the route toward
fha nnfa ~ hfu Of 90 -
hardships endured, or loss of life and
treasure research should be abandoned.
lie argues that trade and commerce c0n-
stantly sacrifceds lives for what? Not
alone that the laborer may gain his bread
but that the bond holder may gain his per
cent.
SOMETHING DUE TO SCIENCE.
Was there any whine about the sacrifice
Of life when all these tOilers 60 daily to
meet their death? In the face Of this
MOloch Of gain can we spare no man for
the benefit OF science? The work done bv
the heroes of three centuries, from the
Danish OF Willoughby and Barentz down
TO the last days Of De Long and Greelv,s
heroic band at Cape Sabine, have all had
their uses, have contributed their share
OF knowledge to all men, and have added
much to the commercial wealth Of the
world. Let no one with a spark Of man@
hood say II was in vain.
THE SMITH SOUND ROUTE.
He does not agree with Lieut.. Danen.
hover in his selection OF the Smith sound
route, and argues at length against that
route and urges that Franz Joseph land
has two essential features recommending
1t as base for an advance toward the
pole, first perfect safety Of approach and
fetreat, and second its high latitude.
AN INCENTIVE TO HERoIsM.
Prof. Joseph E. Nourse said that there
is surely enough in the history Of past
Efforts to keep alive true her0ism which
may prompt any number of volunteers to
scientific causes, such as prompted the
two late expeditions. He felt sure that
they will continue to command sympa-
thy, and after awhile the aid, not only Of
the patriotic among the people, but OF the
government. Ii was q great pity that
Ray was recalled, and unfortunate
for Lieut.. Greely's expedition something
was wanting in planning and carrying
out that measure.
LIEUT.. GREELY's CRITICISM.
Lieut.. A. W. Greedy writes that he has
no inclination to deny the merits OF the
essay, but its tendencies seem partlcu-
larly unfortunate, and he regrets that 10
emanated from an officer OF the service.
He consents 10 the general proposition,
that from a strictly utilitarian standpoint
polar expeditions do not pay unless the
scientific results are commensurate with
the cost. IL would be a waste OF words to
argue the question which has been so
elaborately discussed with no definite con-
clusion. lie leaves Lieut.. Danenhower
his opinion, though eminent scientific
men in Germany, England and America
declare that scientific work Is worth its
expenses.
THE VOYAGE OF THE ALLIANCE.
The second point, that the voyage OF the
Alliance was the most hazardous search
expedition since Kane, be approached
with dellcacy. Commander Wadleigh was
searching for DeLOnR, Capt. Scbley for
me, and yet be thinks Commander Wad-
leigh must consider Lieut.. DanenhOwer's
a doubtful compliment chat he should,
through falling 10 conform 10 hrs instruc-
tiOns by unskiltul navigation, put an
unprotected and unfit vessel into an
Arctic pack. All honor 20 Commander
Wadleigh, who willingly ventured on
such a vessel in such remarkable lati-
tude for humanity's sake.
THE RESULTS WORTH THE EFFORT.
Leaving the main question on moral
grounds-the highest standpOint--he be-
lieved that 10 the navy such explorations
bring results commensurate with their
cost. In time OF war the duty OF the navy
was clear. In time Of peace its duty is
20 prepare for war, by cultivating those
qualities Of daring seamanshp, indOmi-
table energy, and prudent daring. which
result from varied and dangerous service.
Prof. II. Ruik, Of Norway, supports
Lieut.. DanenhOwer In his theory Of islands
and groups Of islands ia the Polar basin,
and believes that further Arctic research
is not worth its cost.