The San Francisco call., 1896-02-16
DR.. NANSEN'S DISCOVERY.
Confirmation of the Report That
the Explorer Reached the
North Pole.
The Source of the Original Informa-
ton, However, Is Yet in
Doubt

LONDON, Enc, Feb. l5.-The CORE
spondent Of the 81. James Gazette at ST.
Petersburg telegraphs that the report of
nr. Nansen's having reached the north
pole is confirmed.
\ dispatch from the British Consul
at Archangel has been received by the
Foreign otiice stating that DR.. Nansen, the
Arctic explorer, had discovered the north
pole, and is now returning fr ON success
ful voyage.
Notwithstanding the confirmation of the
news that NanSen has reached the north
pole, there are Stiil good many who
doubt the fact. They point out that the
source OF the original information is still
in doubt, and they think that the appar-
ent confirmation may be only a repetition
Of the original story.
1t is admitted that the thing is possible
enough, but it is oontended that it has not
yet been proved. The north pole has been
sought SO long without success that people
in London are loath 10 believe that some
one has actually reached it.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. l5-Protessor
Salisbury. OF the University Of Chicago S
geological department said to-day regard
ing the reported discovery OF the north
pole by nr, Nansen:
II made trip TO the west coast OF
Greenland last summer. and from obser-
veaens ot the open sea ! thought it was
the best time TO make drive TO the north.
So far as the benefits Of the reported dis.
covery are concerned | cannot see any,
thing Of practical value.
scientifically something Of value NAV
be attained by the establishment of A met
teeror'gioal station at the pole, bat unless
aerial navigation is possible or continu,
Gus open path 10 the sea is discovered i,
would be asiheul; matter 10 get supplies
to the station. Manson is persistent man
and possesses excellent Judgment.
He provlsiened the expedition for five
years, and il is strange that he should
have been heard from So early. One valu.
able result Of the discovery Will be the
establishment Of a basis for the inyestisa,
;ioa ct ocean currents. The reports con.
cur that the theory maintained in regard
10 the currents az the north pole is cor
rect,
WASHINGTON. u. c, Feb lh-In
scientific eiroleS in Washington the in
teroS, in the reportoi Or. Nansen's alleged
achievement, would be much greater if the
news came in more authentic shape aud
with mere definite particulars.
The Two points from which eonf,rmatorv
dispatches are alleged 70 have been re
eesyeG, namely, lTSatSk. In Eastern Sioe.
ria and Arohaasel, in European Russia.
being more than Ss0o miles anart, in the
opinion 81 Lieutenant William H, Scheetse
"a M - feeN- .h,f -.
with The Siberian eoaS,, cast grave doubts
epea the authenticity et the reports,
Lsonh&rd Sslnegeg, former associate oi
nT, NanSen, wAea the doctor WAS curator
- = museum in Norway. and VINO is new
enc ~ tae egsasors c: tAe United States
National Museum. thinks there IS nothing
satrsaSloally Improbable in the story. ani
bears Assa ;rieate % DR.. Nansoa,s courage
sad segssA.y et resource.
Captain Aereaden Of the Smithsonian
was . member ot the expedition az ISeu-
tenant eeSTs IL iSSi, which wsa: as tar
north as Pesnt HSg9ews, and sehssQuea slv
IN the whaling hGSlaesS be spsas I'VE VIII.
tiers there,
'rae surprising ;AiaS 10 ne, said he.
rs seat NSassa has been heard from AZ
this season ~ the year. The oa1y way I
e$a seeesNs ses Nsasea's sSsarn at shss
Nsas - The rear Is TIE possible FAC. thar he
has foaaa land,
General 6sesly, sAs Arctic ex0so-e-.
s'NeS ssss4s eTeSeaee te the repor:> HE ssi3
particular stress to-day, in sasaSsas ~
tas report ssags ATeA&aSel, On the :ses
'sss NSaSsa's tsseogy oi reaching the pole
Was 81 variance vita his aaseSea arrival
e5 TIE sAseEsAn oaas;, wAssa, sAe explorer
ds9 Fes eeassgagsass IN his arrangements
seg the sxgs<S,sca.