The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-14
EXPEDITIONS TO THE NORTH POLE

The near approach of the fourth and
| last conference of the international com
missioners, representing fourteen of the
maritime powers, at which conference
to be holden in Hamburg this month the
United States will be represented by
Gen. Greeley, has revived the general
interest in the subject of arctic explora-
tons, and the proceedings of the confer
ence, composed as it is of scientists and
explorers of worldwide reputation, will
be looked for with special concern by
those who take an interest in such mat
tiers. Discussing the question of explO.-
ing the polar regions the New Orleans
Times Democrat has this to say:
There has been somewhat of let up
in voyages to the North Pole of late
wears. Thirty years ago a craze prevailed
on this subject, and expedition after ex-
petition was fitted up, each of which got
a few miles nearer to the pole, until it
looked as though the great problem
would be solved. Again, some ten years
ago, arctic expeditions were in fashion,
but so many of them turned out unfortlI-
natelv, and there was such loss of life,
that a prejudice was raised; and since
then we have seen little of them. The
problem of northern passage no longer
disturbs the commercial mind, and there
Is every reason to doubt whether the So
luton of the polar mystery is worth the
lives that have been lost In trying to
solve it.
1t has been some years since anything
Z ,.rlroznI in, rho Of
Arctic exploration; but no less than three
projects are now on foot, showing that
the old spirit is reviving. 4 striking
expedition, novel because OF Its rash
ness. is that which DR.. hansen, who re-
Gently made the trip across Greenland
from the eastern to the western coast
of that continent island, proposes to
take.
DIR. Nansen has a novel theory about
an Arctic current which sweeps from
the coast of Siberia directly across the
Arctic Ocean near the pole. and passes
down the east coast of Greenland.
His expedition is based upon this
theory, and if it proves incorrect he
and the men who 60 with him will never
see civilization again; whereas If he Is
right he will be swept very close to the
pole.
He and his twelve companions Will
embark from the coast of Siberia-a re-
gion which few Arctic explorers have
made their starting point They viii
sail due north from there. gong as far
as the ice Will permit them. Nhen they
can sail no further their vessel VIII be
hauled upon the ice like a sleigh, being
purpOsely so built that II will do as well
on land as in the water, and viii DRIFT
with the ice slowly across the polar seas.
The voyage Is one of only 1000 miles,
but DR. NanSen estimates that Il VIII
take him two years 10 make II and bring
his vessel TO the coast Of Greenland.
whers the breaking up Of the ice will
free II again. He viii drift very near.
If no, over tie pcie, and hopes n this
way 10 BE able 70 lag hare It's mysteries.
He kas all The money needed for the
trip; Will provision the vessel for FIVE
wears, and in most Poets is well .
ped for the perllcus EXPEDITION, for il IL
one OF the most perllcus ever taken IN
any OF the Arctic explorations. Gen
Greeley aud others who have hed some
experience IN the polar regions doubt The
ability Of any one to construct Vesse!
that can Withstand the crushing pressure
OF the ice; and doubt also hansen : the
ory If a great polar current that vii
carry him through the Arcac c1rc!e- IL
he proves wrong n either OF these mat
tiers there Is 70 hogs for HIM. and he VIII
never be beard q! again. de -. a. a
matter OF iact. trusting himself 70 tie
merCies OF an iceberg. SAILING northward
on one 70 explore the pole, o. the theory