Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-11-25
The North Pole.

LIEUTENANT PEARY ANXIOUS TO MAKE AN
EFFORT TO REACH IT.
Lieutenant Peary is SO mucl, encouraged by
his recent success in locating new spot on
the coast OF Greenland that he is anxious to
undertake another expedition to the polar
regions and make an effort to reach the north
pole. He believes this achievement to be
within the bounds of possibility and has said
if he could obtain the permission of the Navy
Department and the necessary leave of
absence he feels confident in the course of a
few years he would be able to surmount the
difficulties and dangers Of such an undertake
ing I'D reach the pole. 1t is well known
| there is great diversity OF opinion among
Arctic explorers as to the proper route of
reaching the north pole, but the majority
seem to favor going by the way of Franz
Josefand instead of the north of Greenland,
which is more accessible than the latter route.
In fact explorers can attain the same latitude
| in Franz Josetand with comparative ease as
| is attained in Greenland with the greatest
difficulty. for the reason that the southern
part Of Franz Josetland is in about the same
| latitude as the north of Greenland. Lieuten-
ant Peary has a different theory about the
matter Should he again undertake the con-
duct of an expedition to the Arctic regions,
he would make for the same point on the coast
of Greenland which he was successful in To-
eating On his recent expedition. Arriving at
that point he would be about five hundred
miles from the pole. Peary believes by start
ing from that point equipped with boats,
dog-sledges and ample provisions, with
small body Of men, and by striking out direct
for the pole he will find numerous small is
lands lying in the track over which he expects
to make his way by dog-sledge to the great
ice-cap surrounding the pole. Once there,
Peary believes success almost a certainty. In
| order to carry out his views he some weeks
ago applied to the Navy Department. for leave
| of absence and permission to organize an ex-
petition. He explained at length his ideas on
the subject, but the application has not been
acted upon fayarably by the department
owing to the necessity of utilizing Lieutenant
Peary's services at home. He was recently
detailed for duty at the Norfolk hayward
and cannot be spared at this time. 1t is
| believed the plucky explorer will, without
doubt, have his wishes gratifed at some fu-
ture time, and will make another trip to the
polar regions.
Since the above was in type intelligence has
been received that the Secretary OF the Navy
| has decided favorably upon the application
of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural
| Sciences and granted leave of absence to
Lieutenant Peary for the purpose OF making
another expedition. 1t is stated he will not
make the north pole his objective point, but
will repeat his former trip, his purpose being
to perfect the map of Greenland by actual
surveys Of its northern limit. While he pro-
claims Greenland to be an island from what
| he observed when he reached the northern end
Of the inland ice, he did not prove the fact nor
join the known lines of the coast This he
will endeavor to do on his next trip.