Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-15

eurrence of opinion among the arctic and
scientific men of Washington to the effect
that the solution of what is known as the
polar problem is now near at hand. 1t may
not be done by DR.. Nansen, nor by Lieuten-
ant Peary. who are the only men so far in
the field, but there appears to be the greatest
confidence that we are approaching the
conquest of the frozen north and that re-
vealing of it's mysteries which mankind
has been so long struggling for.
In Washington naturally the greatest in
terest is taken in the efforts of Lieutenant
Peary, who is now in camp on the west
coast of Greenland, about the seventy
seventh parallel of latitude, awaiting the
advent Of spring for another journey over
the glacial ice cap of that remarkable con-
tinent. Lieutenant Peary did not reach rs
high a latitude in his last expedition be-
fore this as other explorers had reached be-
fore him. Heidi not go as near to the pole
as Lockwood and Brainard of the Greedy
party went 10 or IL years 90. He did not
80 as far as Markham and Parr of the royal
navy (Markham, then lieutenant, now adj
miral, of late conspicuous through his con-
nection with the Victoria disaster in the
Mediterranean, nor yet as far as Sir Ed
ward Parry went away back in 1897 from
the northern shores OF S%pitzbergen. But in
exploring the ice cap of Greenland and in
part fixing the northeastern coast of that
continent he rendered splendid service to
geography and science.
New Field.
Next year Peary may go much farther
north than any one has yet been. 1t is his
purpose to explore the islands which lie to
the north of the mainland of Greenland as
far as they extend. If they go to the pole,
he may follow them that far. The proba-
bilities are, however, that these islands do
not run much farther north than the lati-
tude of 80 degrees "a minutes, made by
Lockwood and Brainard. That point is
395 miles from the north pole, reckoning
| geographical or nautical miles, &c of which
| equal a little more han 60 statute miles.
Lieutenant Peary's brave wife is a Wash
! ington woman. Her mother and sisters
| still live here and are we'll known and
! much liked. Mrs. Peary will come back
from the arctic next summer or autumn, it
is expected, with a baby born ON the shores
of icy Greenland.
The arctic and scientific men of Washing
ton give Peary credit for having marked
out a new and distinct field in arctic en-
deavor. His methods are original, and his
field of operations, on a large scale, wholly
new. He has demonstrated that the very
highest results in the way of travel and ex-
ploration may be accomplished by small
parties. He and Astrup, the faithful Nor
wegian, weret the only members of the party
which travelled across the continent to
Greenland to the eastern shore two years
ago. Whereas the English government and
other nations have sent out expeditions
which cost a half million or more dollars
the English expedition of 1876 is believed
to have cost 81 ,OOO, 000-not one of these
cumbersome parties has accomplished one
half as much in the way of actual eXplora
ton as was achieved by Peary and Astrur
with a few dogs.
The Geographical Society.
Another arctic project is being considered
in this city. a young man of the name Of
Stein, attached to the geological survey
has laid plans for an exploration of Files
mere Land, which lies to the west of Green
land, and whose western and northern
shores nave not been explored. Inasmucf
as this land is a part of the American con
tinent, Mr.. Stein says Americans should fol
low it's coast line and see whittier it eX
tends. He will not expect to reach a higl
latitude if he does explore this region, bu
hopes to colombo a party of men, and b!
making advance stations ultimately tt
reach the pole itself on this or some othe
route. Mr.. Stein is very enthusiastic ant
has applied to the Geographical society o
this city, OF which Gardner Hubbard O
Bell telephone fame is president. for assist
ance. \ committee composed of Gener"
Greedy, Commander Melville and DR.. Men
denhall of the coast and geodetic surve,
are now considering his plans.
Much anxiety is felt here for the fate o
DR.. Nansen, the Norwegian who has delib
erately sailed into the ice pack off the coas: