Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-19
THE POLE PROBLEM.
DIFFICULTIES WHICH STAND IN THE
WAY OF ITS SOLUTION.

Erigid Circle and What 1t Contains-The
Treacherous Ice, Which Is Always Shift
ing and Varying.
1t is a curious fact that the most cheer
less portion of our globe and the region
that is most awful in it's desolation has
for generations been the center of most
absorbing interest. The region that is
the most remote from all civilization and
has tho least to benefit mankind has pre-
scented weird fascination to explorers
that the long and unbroken line of fail
Ilres has not been able to diminish. This
is the great zone or belt that constitutes
the vast northern circumpolar region, and
which, after dcfying nearly four centuries
Of exploring endoavor, still guards its SOL
emn secrets with grim and unabated Wig
lance. A mere catalogue of the public
and private expeditions that have been
fitted out to penetrate this strange realm
would fill pages But whether they went
forth in quiet or with tho zeal born for
heroic daring and endurance or went forth
with tho pride and pomp Of the armada,
not ono of tho multitude has found its
quest.
Now, in brief, what arc the general
physical conditions what arc these insur-
mountablo impediments that have so sue
cessfully barred all penetration to this alb
solutcly unknown region around the pole?
II is of course, understood that the polar
points arc such for tho reason that they
ure the axial points in the carth's rota-
tiOn, and as cur revolving globe presents
its equatorial limo to the sun these polar
points thereby necessarily are the regions
most remote from the solar influence.
Hence it is that in the districts of these
pivotal points arc tho localities where the
low temperature Of the globes finds its
maximum, while tho equatorial belt pre-
scnts the maximum Of high temperature.
Now, as it happened, the polar point
under consideration is in tho midst Of
scii-at least so far rs we know, this is the
case. Singularly enough, this polar basin
is pretty we'll landlockCd the great north
crn land divisions OF Europe, Asia, North
America and Greenland, all AUDITING
against or into this arctic sea, not in u
solid, circular mass, of course or this
polar matter would be of much more sim
pie solution. But there are great gaps Of
water that connect the Arctic ocean with
both the Atlantic and Pacific basins, and
we shall see how this great physical fact
bears on and bars polar investigation.
Those who understand something Of
what may be termed the photography Of
the earth's meteorology will know that,
owing to unequal temperature, there are
great circulating currents in the ocean
caused primarily by tho unCqually heated
seas, or parts of seas, seeking equilibrium.
These currents also involve the Arctic
ocean, and now we shall see the action of
the great factor, low temperature. When
the sun is low in the southern heavens
and tho freezing line extends down to-
ward the equator 90 degrees of latitude,
there is then a frigid circle over 1000
miles in diameter with the north pole as
its center and closest point.
Of course a tremendous congcalation
takes place, but when the sun resumes it's
northern journey the circle of high temper
allure is showed poleward until the area
that does not lose its ice is less than 5000
miles in diameter. On this area there is
something of a summer, more than the
mere sun conditions would warrant. The
matter is worth considering. While the
sun is still near the lWrizon, for months it
does not sink below it, and thus the solar
contribution of warmth is considerable.
But there is n halt of summer temperature
all around this axial REGION, and, come
the currents from whence they may, they
can come only from the south. There is
limit to north and south, but there is no
limit to east or west, and thus it is, when
the summer belt is crowded far north
ward, that all tho indowing brcczes are
warm-that is, coming from southern
quartcr-whilo all outgoing breezes bear
g hn e 10,
turc.
But this now loosens vast areas of ice.
Cataracts roar as the waters from the
melting masses fall over precipices and
pack ice, icebergs and fields of floating
ice large and small, all crowd and crush,
grind and break as the currents bear them
out toward other seas.
Long before this floating ice has had
time to be transported the brief summer
ends. The sun goes on his return jour
ney, and the crushing ice heaved into all
kinds of fantastic shapes known as hum
Knocks, is locked. Rains and SHOWS add
to it, and, though soon solid enough to
bear the weight of armies, there is nothing
moro tiresomo on earth than to journey
over it. Some of the polar winters are
comparatively mild, as a few years ago
whalers went far in, the ice flow being
light, and found whales in immense num-
bers in secluded hooks in the arctic wa
tiers.
On that Arctic sea not once in score
of years is there time when ice is not on
the move from the spring until caught on
the flow by the next winter. And yet
there are frogs and fowl innumerable.
The latter, of course, mostly leave when
the rigorous season comes, and the former
hibernate down in the mud, where the
motion and temperature prevent freezing.
All these creatures breed in that region
that yet so utterly defes man. Now comes
the question, How is the advance to be
made with such an environment, what
motive power other than dogs is available
and how are subsistence and the necessary
equipment to meet whatever may present
to be carried? This constitutes the prob
lem.
1t is unfortunate that this polar points
not on absolute terra frma 1t is this
shifting, varying changing and capricious
foundation that causes the mischief and
presents the difficulties that have been
found insurmountable.
And what have we If we have found the
polar pointH Smooth water probably at
Dne time, pack ice or hummocks at anoth-
Gr. The place cannot be marked with
buoys, even were there a way of finding
it. So the polar problem is no nearer
solution now than when undertaken by