The Monticellonian., 1895-03-15
TO THE SOUTH POLE,

Dr. Cooks New Plan for Accomplishing the Conquest of the Antarctic Region Expects to Start in September Next for Two Years' Cruiso-Thinks It Not Im- possible to Find People Living There. NEW YORK, March li.-Dr. Frederick Cook, the well-known explorer, has come forward with a new plan for ao- complaining the conquest of the ant arctic region. With small band of scientists he expects to sail from New York September next and it may be three years before the expedition re- turns. This project was for the first time publicly announced Saturday evening by the doctor himself in an extended paper read before the geo- l graphical section of the Brooklyn In stitute of Arts and Sciences. l Dr. Cook has succeeded in enlisting the active support of various scientific bodies and of private individuals as well in his scheme. There is no doubt that the sum necessary to fit and send out the eXpedition-s25 000-will be completely subscribed within a short time.
 Instead of employing 8 steam whal- CT, as last years programme called for, Dr. Cook expects to secure two sailing vessels, sealers, of about 100 tons burden apiece. Sealers of this capacity are only 100 feet or so long, but they are staunch craft, fairly rapid sailors and superior for ice work. The provisioning will be for three years, although the intention is to return in twenty-four months. The scientific norpa x.i11 only five persons, including the leader It will take the vessels three months to sail the 5000 odd miles from New York to the Gulf of Erebus and Ter TOT. The antarctic summer will be commencing when this rendezvous is reached. If clear sea presents itself further southing will be attempted Otherwise the expedition will disem- | bark
 After erecting a substantial wooden house for headquarters, observations will commence. Later on sledging parties will set out over the inland ice to explore as much of the antarctic continent as possible. For the first four months no lamplight will be needed.
 No special attempt will. for various reasons, be made to hoist the Stars and Stripes to the top of the south pole. Incidentally it may remarked that the antarctic continent comprises an estimated area of s,000,00 square miles, n sixth of the entire surface of the globe. So far as known the only inhabitants are icebergs, glaciers. whales, seals, penguins and some other animals.
 In the course of his remarks Dr. Cook referred to the discovery by Capt. Larsen, of the Dundee sailing fleet, who found on Cape Seymour, in lati- tude 64 south, about fifty balls, appar- ently made by human hands, of sand and clay, and perched upon pillars con- structed of the same material
 This is the first evidence,n said Dr. Cook, "of human existence in the antarctic To my mind human habita- tion on the antarctic shores is not inn possible, nor do deem it by any means improbable to find there an isolated tribe of men, feeding and dressing from the liberal sea farms"
 At the conclusion of the address steps were taken to appoint commit tee of the section which will assist Dr. Cook to send out his expedition.
 Dr. Cook is still young man, being under 30. In ts91-92 he was the sur geon and ethnologist of Lieut.. Perry's first expedition to the north. He has gone to the arctic twice since.