The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-07
NORTH POLE GOING SOUTH
Theory Advanced That the Equator
and Poles Are Gradually
Changing Positions.
Scientists to Make Careful Obser-
vetions OF Gradual Geo.
graphical Changes.
Berlin and Honolulu the Opposite Points
of ObservatiOn-How DIR. Marcuse
Will Proceed.

DR.. Adolph Marcuse. a Berlin scientist, II
at the Murray Hill hotel making prep
a~rations to accompany Mr.. H.. ID. Preston,
of the United States coast and geodetic
survey, on a trip to Honolulu, where they
will conduct a series of observations. Sew
eral German scientists have advanced the
theory that the latitude Of the earth is con-
stantly and slowly shifting or, as the scien-
lists explain it. that the poles of the earth
nre moving gradually toward the equator,
and the equatorial line moving toward the
poles, thus changing the climate of one
region to that of the other, says the New
York Recorder.
The International Geodetic association
has concluded to make a practical test OF
the truth OF this theory, and, while seve raj
scientists are making careful observations
in Berlin, DR.. Marcuse will make a study
of ths geographic changes at Honolulu.
These two points are directly opposite
each other, and a comparison of data
obtained will enable the society to compute
the changes OF latitude that become ap-
parent.
At the urgent request of the international
society Mr.. Preston will DR..
Marcuse and assist him in his observations.
He Will also make Il series of in
dependent magnetic and pendulum
ooDSA . ~ NuAuS uC
observations depends altogether upon
the length of time between the tests and in
order to compute the changes of time with
some satisfactory result the two scientists
will visit kealakeakua bay. where Captain
Cook took observations in 1776.
Similar observations were made by DR..
Stevens at Honolulu i'll 1910 and some diff
ference was shown then, but at that time
the theory now advanced had not been ven
tured by any scientist except Stevens, and
his work was looked upon as useless. If
DIR. Marcuse finds the same comparative
difference in time that Stevens did the
result will be of great value in determin-
ing the variations of the needle in that re-
gion.
A reporter found the scientist in his
room at the Murray Hill, surrounded by
compasses. telescopes, scales, maps and
rough drawings of the solar system. He
said he had a good deal Of work to do be-
fore he would be ready to sail for Homo
lulu. He willingly laid aside his work, and
dilated on the theory which he has been
commissioned to test. He said the Ger
man scientists had been making observa-
tons in this direction for two years, and
had discovered by a faithful study of the
constellation that in two years the latitude
of Berlin has shifted a second of an arc, or
about eighty feet.
Now said the scientist, "as far as that
portion of Europe is concerned We are sat
isfed with the result of our Investigations.
and to prove the German theory we have
selected Honolulu-whioh is exactly oppo-
site Berlin, or through tho earth from it as
straight as you could shoot a rifle ball and
exactly twelve hours difference in time
and here | am to take observations with the
same purpose in view. When l begin
my work in Honolulu the astronomers and
scientists. in Berlin will telescope the sky
Mt the very same time, or twelve hours be
fore to make it the same time, and l truly
believe that we shall find that the latitude
has shifted considerably since Stevens
made observations in 1910.
"Pe@pas-who have not made this thing a
study say it is ridiculous, for if in two
years the latitude shifted eighty feet, in
ffty-one years it would have shifted over
1900 feet, a sufficient distance to have our
general climate change. But 1000 fest of
latitude is a very short distance. 1t is less
than half q mile. and everyone knows that
it would be an exceedingly difficult matter
for one to compute a difference of climate
in that short distance for a period of fifty
one years. Notwithstanding this fact there
seems to be very little doubt that the lati-
tude is changing, and the only thug that
remains to prove it is for me to find the
same changes in Honolulu that nv con-
freres discover through their observations
in Berlin.
How do we discover the change in lati-
tude? Why, by constant observations of
VAS OtNAo ASukA p"S I'VE bGAONI
scopes that can be had. The general ar
rangement of the starry constellation is
always the same from one point, but if the
earth changes its position the appearance
and general location of the stars will be
accordingly changed. With scales and
charts, as perfect az can be made, we COM
pute the distance and then We find the
change in latitude.
mr.. Preston, one of the very best of
American scientists, will be of valuable as
sistance to me, and whatever other aid l
may require can be had, | am informed, at
Honolulu, where there is a survey station.
All my large instruments were shipped
right through to California, from which
port Mr.. Preston and myself will set sail
on April So"
Speaking of the failure Of American sol
doctor said: LAS a class they do not place
much faith in the theory that the poles
are shifting and in arguments condemning
such a belief they point to the startling
results which would follow in due course
of time. Polar expeditions would not be
attempted, for arctic explorers, instead of
going to the poles. would patiently wait
and the poles would come to them.
1.-The German theory is not a new way of
reasoning, 1t was advanced fifty years
ago. but experiments have been made
which showed the changes in latitude are
so ininitestimal that it was almost impos-
bAoiS w SoAAP uNS ~ Win hhIo JIG SohlB |
tions when made. Arguments have been
made to show that in the course of time
the natural forces now in quiet opera
ton will, in too close confinement, ex-
plode and turn the earth Inside down.
1t has been argued. also, that the
great increasing masses of snow
and ice ut the poles will some day become
SO solid and heavy that by the force of
Gravitation they will change the earth's
position in the plane of the elliptic, 80 that
the poles will be two opposite ends of what
is now the equatorial line. The polcs
would then lie in the totrid zone, where tho
hottest rays of the sun would have a swell
tering effect upon the mountains of ice and
drive the polar bear, the seal and the Els
kimo out of their native land, and in time
change Greenland. Siberia and the Anita tic
continent into luxuriant tropical countries.
The Berlin scientists, however, must not be
understood as claiming that such a radical
change 10 likely to happen in n century, but
that the sun Will continue to rise in the east
for some time to come. Present indica-
tions, however, point to such a change, and
though it may be far off, it will, according
to their present reasoning. eventually come
to pass"
DIR. Marcuse is the youngest scientist now
in the service of the international Geodetic
society. yet he is considered one of the most
that ever was graduated from the Berlin
university. he was sent over here i'll 1882
with the commission delegated to observe
the transit of Venus for the benefit Of the
students in the Berlin academies, and he
a 80 49,.