The sun., 1893-03-31
Rival Arctic Enterprises.

The present year wllt De WaTkeu ny
greater activity in north-polar research
than any year since the circumpolar sta
tiuns were planted around the Arctic
regions. Lieutenant PEARY will return to
Greenland for the purpose OF visiting again
the extreme northern coasts whose limits
he discovered last year. exploring the arehi-
pengo north Of the mainland, completing
the survey Of all the unknown part OF the
northeast coast aud probably pushing over
the frozen sea to or toward the Pole. Nor
way will send DR.. NANsEN into the Arctic
Ocean, upon the theory that the cur
rents north OF the New Siberian Islands are
likely to take him into the neighborhood Of
tho Pole and then down into the East Green
land current. Mr.. JACKSON will represent
Great Britain. attacking the polar area.
with Franz Josef Land as his base OF opera
tions and making the Pole the chief object
OF his quest. Denmark will continue the
scientific researches in Greenland in which
she has long been engaged. A German
expedition Is now in South Greenland.
studying glacial phenomena. Five nations.
therefore, will be engaged this year In
Arctic research. spectacle that has not
been witnessed for years past.
The expeditions OF the United States. Nor
way. and England will be In the field for at
least two years. and two Of them probably
for q longer period. The most striking
feature OF these three expeditions is that
the goal at which they are all aiming is
practically the same. They will oil strive
to reveal the secrets OF the uncxplored area
Immediately surrounding the North Pole.
The question Is which Of thom will make the
most numerous and important discoveries
in the unknown area.
Lieutenant PEARY's great sledglng work
OF 1892 has been pronounced by geographi-
cal authorities to be tho most brilliant ex-
ploratory enterprise OF that year. The
splendid success OF the new idea Of Green
land exploration which he originated, leads
many to believo that his plans for the COM
ing campaign. based as they are upon the
lines that won his laurels then. promise
greater results than any OF the rival enter
prises. Last July he saw stretching away
before him an archipelago OF unknown ex-
tent, which he knows he can reach again
and which he hopes to fully outline and ex-
ploro. The other north-polar expeditions
are based upon the unproven theories that
there is current which will carry ship
into the neighborhood OF the pole and that
there is coast line north OF the known
parts of Franz Josef Land which may be
followed far into the unknown region.
PEARY Is certain that he can. without great
difficulty. reach the threshold Of the un-
known. NANsEN and JACKSON can only
hope that their theories. followed out will
lead to opportunities for new discovery.
At the start PEARY seems to have the best
OF the race.
The expedition from this country will not
cost as much money as either OF the other
enterprises. About $50 900 has been invested
In NANsEN's vessel and equipment. JACK
SON says his effort will cost not less than
$4,000. PEARY's party Of eight or ten men.
equipped for two years. will require an out
lay OF not over $25.OOO to $4,000. The ex-
plorer has been engaged this winter In
raising the money he needs. He has not
asked for dollar from any man or society.
He has lectured from Maine to Colorado.
and is still on the platform.
1t is now certain. however. that he cannot
In one short lecture season raise enough.
The thousands he has earned by his
hard work must be supplemented by
other thousands. Every American who
admlres pluck and would like to see our
iuR hcpJ III thO itoho Va
polar research whore it has been ever
since the GREELY expedition, will be glad to
hear that one OF our youngest and most
enterprsing geographical societies has de-
cided to extend q helping hand to Lieutenant
PEARY. Tho Geographical Club OF Phila-
delphia. OF which Professor ANGELO HE'LL
PRIN Is President. has undertaken to raise
| what additional funds are needed. The
friends OF Arctic exploration In Great
Britain will give JACKSON $4,000 in testi-
mony OF their faith and interest. 1t
should be an easy matter to raise the
money to send north again the American
who. last year, headed the worlds list OF
explorers. and who has bright prospect OF
far surprising his recent achievements
within the next two years.
The Geographical Club OF Philadelphia
will be glad to receive contributions Of any
amount. large or small. Here Is chance
for public-spirited citizens to show. In 4
substantial way. that they admire PEARY
and wish to see him complete his work.