The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-09-11


1t is gratifying that Prof. Heilprin. the
leader of the Philadelphia Academy of
Natural Sciences expedition to Greenland,
has already published conclusive denial of
what he terms the alarming and greatly
exaggerated reports" with regard to the pres
ent condition and prospects Of Lieut.. Peary
The inference many people are likely to
draw from some statements that have been
made is that Peary's expedition was badly
conceived and inadequately organized and
equipped. Such statements are not sup
ported by the known facts, and the impress
sion they are likely to create is erroneous
and unjust
In the first place. there is no reason for
any alarm whatever as to the present con-
dition of the party. No expedition except
tina of Greedy at Fort Conger ever went to
the Smith Sound region so we'll equipped as
is Lieut.. Peary for spending the winter in
comparative safety and comfort. Greedy and
Peary are the only investigators in that re-
gion who have had comfortable houses to
live 10. Peary has good house. large
enough for his little party. He has oil stoves
an abundance OF Kerosene to nse in them,
and seven tons of coal. The list of his pro-
visions which was published in the The
Sun on June included thirty varieties of
food besides beverages. relishes, &C., and he
believed he had an ample supply for year
and a half. 1t Is hoped that he will be able
to supplement his food resources with an
abundant supply of game. Prof. Heilprin
says that while little game was seen, evil
dence5 of the existence of reindeer, hare,
auks, and other mammals and birds were
found In the neighborhood OF Mccormick
Bay. Hayes and the Polsris party found
abundant game on the same coast little
further north, and as Peary is well supplied
with the best OF hunting arms and ammuni-
ton, the chances are that II the two months
of daylight left them after putting up their
house the party were able to lay in con-
siderable supply of fresh meat, and thus
save most Of their timed meats for the
sledge journey next spring. At any rate we
have no reason to believe there IL particle
Of danger that the party will suffer for food
before the relief expedition, which is certain
to be sent, reaches their camp in August
next.
When We recall the far less adequate equip
ment of Kane and Hayes, when we remem-
Der how poorly prepared Buddington and
his men Of the Polaris We're to spend their
second Arctic winter at Life Boat Cove, and,
above all, when the fact is called to mind
that the Tyson party, drifting on foe
through the long winter night, with only
snow huts for shelter, to man survived
their terrible hardships, we can reasonably
expect that Peary and his little band will
pass the winter we'll and will be in good
| condition for the hard work Of next spring.
| a. fire, at Cape Sabine, survived nearly till
| the returning sunrise before the Inflated he
| roes began to Succumt.
1t is unfortunate, certainly, that the wholly
| unlocked for failure of Peary's negotiations
| for transportation to the far moth left him
| no time to secure the credentials from Den
mark that would have enabled the agents of
| that government In Greenland to be of some
| slight assistance to him; but, as Prof. He'll
| prin says, this circumstance does not mate
| rally affect the prospects Of the expedition.
| The accident to Lieut.. Peary, which largely
| impairs his efficiency this fall, is of greater
moment. There is no doubt that IL the acct
dent had not occurred, with his energy and
activity he would have assured the provis-
lon OF plenty OF fresh meat for the winter if
1t was to be found between Port Foulke and
his camp. He would also have made pre-
llminary reconnaissance on the inland Ice Ia
the direction of Humboldt Glacier, and would
thus probably have gained experience that
would be valuable on his long trip next
spring. His hunting projects will doubtless
be carried out, but his accident compelled
him to give mp his preliminary journey on
the inland Ice. In the opinion of Prof. He'll.
plo, Or, Cook and Lieut.. Peary himself,
there is no reason now to believe that the
accident will. retard or thwart the main pur-
poses OF bis expedition. In private letter
written, by Peary at his present camp. and
from which we are at liberty to quote, he
says: 1.-THE accident will interfere with my
proposed work of surveying this fall, but It
Will not interfere with the two principal OBJ
lects OF the expedition. namely. the deter
mlnation OF the northern terminus and the
study of the Whale Sound natives"
ably situated at Mccormick Bay for carry
ing on the proposed work. The natives,
whom earlier explorers found quite helpful,
are near at hand, and tits very probable
t hani dogs may pc procured from them to
may be cached this fall About 1900 feet
above the camp is the inland ice, and 1t is
| particularly noteworthy that returning mem
bers OF the Philadelphia party, testify that
make seem to confirm Peary's own views as
to the feasibility of using this inland Ice as
highway to the north. Prof. Heilprin and
Dr. Sharp have both expressed themselves
to this effect. ut seemed quite clear to me-"
wrote Peary In January last, "that it was
easier to get sledges and their loads 1000
feet or more up the mountains on the back
and then step from the mountain SUBMITS
upon the surface of the ice level with them"
He has at Mccormick Bay the exact physi-
cal conditions under which he hoped to be-
gin his sledge journey next spring; and If
his accident does not impair his endurance,
1t Is not at all unlikely that he will make
notable journey on the inland ice, whether
or not he reaches the northern terminus of
Greenland.
The weak point In Peary's entire project
was his proposed dependence upon himself
while returning to the settlements Of South
Greenland. The boat journey to Uper--
navik has twice been made successfully, but
It's dangers are very considerable. The
Peary party, however. will not be subjected
to this risk. An expedition to bring them
back will certainly be sent next summer. II
Will cost but few thousand dollars, for it
VIII have known destination which can be
reached by steam during ten or twelve weeks
OF every year. 1t will not be difficult to raise
the triiing SIM of money required for this