Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-07-30

Although the Members Fail to Indorse the
 Scheme, the Swedish Government Has
 Done Sn. and the Funds For the Expe-
 Glition Have Been Furnished.
 LONDON, July 30.-The international geographical congress met and discussed polar exploration Dr. Neumayer and Jo- Beph Hooker, a survivor of the arctic expedition headed by Sir John Ross (1S29- 53), urged that new expeditions be equip ped.
 Dr. Murray, leader of the Challenger expedition, supported the theory that the antarctic continent is not succession of volcanic islands, and that investigations in the Antarctic ocean ought to be under taken by the navies of the world. A com nittee was appointed to draw up a reso fution in favor of further exploration.
 The attendance was small. The paper read by General A. W. Greedy is regarded as too technical to be popular.
 The most interest was taken in paper by s. A. Andree, proposing balloon route to the north pole. The idea seems feasible as propounded by him, but the general impression of the congress is that the project is impracticable.
 M. Andree Wanted Encouragement. The Swedish Scientific society approves M. Andree's balloon project, and he has re- ceived a liberal donation to help defray expenses from King Oscar of Sweden. l The attempt is assured, but M. Andree desired the approval of the geographical congress.
 He explained that M. Ton of Paris has contracted to make for $11, 900 the ma | chine of double silk, of which about 5, 500 cubic meters will be required. The bal loon is to be capable of carrying three per sons, with the necessary instruments and 1 ballast and four months provisions. It will be sufficiently gas tight to hover in the air for 30 days at a height of 250 me- ters.
 | M Andrce calculates that 1, 700 to 1900 | cylinders filled with gas under a pressure of 100 or 200 atmospheres will be required l to refill the balloon from time to time. He believes he will be able to guide the machine by sails and ropes, acting as a brake when needed by dragging on the | earth. The car is to be big enough to con | tain 8 sledge, a sailboat, several weapons, with ammunition, and a photographic camera.
 It is proposed to erect balloon house early next spring, fill the balloon and start for the pole in July with a fresh southerly wind. The duration of the voy- age must, of course, largely depend on the strength of the wind. It might possi- ply last only uVe or SIX hours; put M. An dree expects it will take over 40. Thirty days, he believes will suffice for cruising about the central polar basin in all direc- tions and taking a complete survey of it.
 Dr. Elkholm Wants to Go.
 The return journey is to be made to- ward the inhabited parts of North Amer ica or northern Siberia. With wind of average velocity, M. Andree says the bal loon can mako 19, 400 kilometers (about | 12 900 miles, in 30 days, whereas the dis tance from Spitzbergen to the Boring straits via the pole is only 3,700 kilome- ters (about 2, 200 miles,.
 Dr. H. Wichmann of Gotha, one of the most eminent German geographers says!
 1.-The execution of this bold enterprise may, of course, be materially influenced 1 by many unforeseen contingencies, but the project is by no+1neans fantastic. Ii has been cautiously worked out in the light of science. This is best proved by the fact that Dr. Elkholm, the eminent Swed ish meteorologist, has announced that he will take part in the expedition.
 Mr. and Mrs. George N. Curzon gave 8 reception last night to the International Geographical society. A large map of Per sia, upon which was marked the route oi
 MT. Curzon's travels, hung upon the wal in the hall Upon the staircase leading tC tho drawing room Mrs. Curzon (formerlJ Miss Mary Letter of Washington), wear ing the Scarsdale diamonds, received thC guests. The hostess received much praise for her gracious manner.