The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-06-16
A mRE YEARS RACE.

Within the next six months three OK.
petitions will be under way t the north
pole. The first will be under command
OF Lieutenant Peary, the most success
full OF modern explorers in Arctic seas;
n second will be headed by DR.. Manson,
a famous Norwegian with new ideas on
the subject, and the third by Frederick,
G. jackson, a wealthy and pluoky
E%nglishman accompanied by compan-
ions who, III this nge OF specialists, may
be termed Arctic experts. All will be
absent three or moro years in n race be-
yond the realm of map makers.
The location Of the north pole is about
the only earthly problem which our
Kansas friends have never attempted to
solve. 1t attracts the strongest interest
in all classes from scientists to dime
novel reading boys, because, with the
exception OF the south pole, it is the
only region left undiscovered. Besides,
there is a weird mystery attached to
that seat OF attraction for the magnetic
needle and as a result, all forms of spec
ulation have been devoted to its char
acter. Scientists, in turn, have argued
that 1t is either an open sen, u field of
ice, a fathcmless volcano or a land OF
green pastures and luxuriant vegetation.
Progress toward it's discovery has been
remarkably slow, as we'll as marked by
disaster. More than than two hundred
and fifty years & Henry Hudson
reached 80 degrees and % minutes north
latitude in his search for q passage to
the East Indies. The best record since
that time was SO degrees and Al min
utes, made by the Greeley expedition,
while Lieutenant Peary, after many new
discoveries, was forced to turn back
after reaching a latitude Of 80 degrees
and 81 minutes. Thus we see that af-
ter two hundred and fifty years of study
and trial our explorers have only been
able to advance the line three degrees,
or about two hundred miles. These
tell the story Of difficulties and
which locked the way and de-
the lives OF the most intrepid
explorers IN the history of tho world.
The three explorers now struggling
or the fame OF discovery are working
IN different lines. All agree, however,
% avoid danger from the terrible ice
loes which have heretofore crushed
'essels in other expeditions. DR.. Nan.
len. who has now started, has an alto
novel theory. He is sailing in a
'essel designed on new lines and which
10 believes cannot be crushed in a NOV
ng field of ice. He will travel as far
forth as possible in an open sea and
When winter comes will allow his vessel
o become Undecided in a sea of ice. He
claims to have discovered from previous
explorations that these fields Of ice
nove toward the north pole at a rate Of
rom n to two miles a day and his
heory is that without any other motive
'ower he will be carried slowly but
urely by a current to his point If dis
Lieutenant Peary will leave his vessel
t the most northern port on the Green
coast and travel overland as far
orth as possible. If provisions hold
ut and conditions are favorable, he will
to make the dash to the mole !
'om q point to which he can return for
upplies. |
Mr.. Jackson will go to Franz-Josef
md, the northern point Of which is as I
et undiscovered, and, after careful {
reparation, he expects to make the run :
, the pole with sledges and boats j
hich will be carried overland. Ex- :
'orers like Gen. Greeley and Lieut.. 6
seem to agree that Jackson's t
an is the most feasible and all unite 8
condemning that OF Nansen. =
1t will be a grand struggle for honors a
three Anglo-Saxon nationali- =
es. The Norwegians have long been t
for their Arctic explorations; the o
nglish sent the first great expedition i,
to that country when Sir John Frank
n met his death, while the Americans
aim the honor Of having reached the
rthest north. Lieutenant Peary, too. Il
sving accomplished his journey with
tile or no danger and fewer discom- p
rts, has shown himself to be not only Q
explorer but a thorough stu =
mt. 1t will be at least three years be- Il
re we hear from any Of them, il at all,
1t there are far better reasons than !,
er before for ~prophesying that one +,
IL return with the undying honor of
wing planted the colors Of his nation v
the north pole. II