The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-17

lon OF the arctic experts OF Washington we
snail have to look to our laurels during the
next lew years. l find remarkable con-
currence 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 DIR. Nansen, nor by Lieuten-
ant Peary, who are the only men so far in
the field, but there appears to he the greatest
confidence that we are approaching the
conquest of the frozen north and that re-
vealing of its mysteries which mankind
has been 80 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 as
high latitude in his last expedition be-
fore this as other explorers had reached be-
fore him. He did not go us near to the pole
as Lockwood and Brainard of the Greedy
party went 10 or ~ years ago. He did not
20 as far as Markham and Parr of the royal
navy (Markham, then lieutenant, now ad-
miral, OF late conspicuous through his con-
nection with the Victoria disaster in the
Mediterranean), nor yet rs far as Sir Ed
ward Parry went away back in 1927 from
the northern shores of Spitzbergen. 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.
a New Field.
Next year Peary may 20 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 rs they extend. If they go to the pole,
he may follow them that far. sShc probn
bilities are, however, that these islands do
not run much farther north than the lati
tude of SO degrees "a minutes, made by
Lockwood and Brainard. That point is
393 miles from the north pole, reckoning
geographical or nautical miles, 20 of which
equal Il little more than 60 statute miles.
Lieutenant Peary's brave wife is II Wash
ington woman. Her mother and sisters
still live here and are well known and
much liked. Mrs. Peary will come back
from the arctic next summer or autumn, it
is expected, with baby horn ON the shores
Of icy Greenland.
The arctic and scientific men of Washing
ton give Pcary credit for having marked
out Il new and distinct field in arctic ell
field of operations, OH Il large scale, wholly
new. lie has demonstrated that the very
highest results i'll the way of travel and eX-
plOrntion may be accomplished by small
parties. He and Astrup, the faithful Nor
wcgian, were the only members of the party
which travelled across the continent to
Greenland to the eastern shore two wears
ago. Whereas the English government and
other nations have sent out expeditions
which cost II half million or more dollars
the English expedition of 1873 is believed
to have cost 81 ,0O0, O00-nOt one of these
cumbersome parties has accomplished one
half us much in the way of actual cXplora-
ton rs was achieved by Peary and Astrup
with Il few dogs.
The Geographical SOciety.
Another arctic project is being considered
in this city. n 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 have not been explored Inasmuch
rs this land is 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 Il high
latitude if he does explore this region, but
hopes to COLOMBO party of men, and by
making advance stations ultimately to
reach the pole itself OH this or some other
route. Mr.. Stein is very enthusiastic and
has applied to the Geographical society of
this city, of which Gardner Hubbard of
Bell telephone fame is president, for assist
ance. ~ committee composed of General
Greedy, Commander Melville and Dr. Men
denhall of the coast and geodctic survey
are now considering his plans.
Much anxiety is felt here for the fate of
Dr. Nansen, the Norwegian who has DELHI
erately sailed into the ice pack off the coast