Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-08-22

sxpense and privatiop, the suffering and
ia atty that they have involved. DE-.
Nsnseo clsims to have proceeded four
degrees further than any former explor-
er, and to have reached q point within
about 200 miles of the coveted object.
Looking northwsrd from there, he
says, there was nothing to be seen but
a vast white wonder of ice, ''hummock
and hummock to the horizon, like sea
OF frozen breakers. The sight was q
grand one, no doubt, but it was also
a pro6tless one, practically speaking.
1t did not represent the fultillment OF a
splendid hope, the rapture of a momen-
tous and benefcent discovery. There
was nothing in it but q repetition OF
preceding dissppointments, the mockery
OF nature grimly keeping one OF her
great secrets.
ship and peril in the journey which led
to THE inconclusive result. On several
occasions there were narrow escapes
from death while navigating among the
huge blocks Of ice. There was much
wandering through snow and in intense
cold on sledges drawn by dogs. One
winter was spent in hut built OF stones,
esrtn and moss, and having a roof o:
walrus hide, tied down with ropes and
covered with snow; and for a period OF
ten months bear meat and blubber were
the only food. During weeks the
mercury was frozen, the lowest temper
allure being 62 degrees below zero; and
at one time the vessel Of the party, the
Fran, was firmly frozen in ice of more
than 80 feet of measured thickness. |
These incidents show in a general way |
what difficulties were encountered, and |
what bravery and fortitude were re-
quired to overcome them. 1t does not |
appear that there was any weakening
on the part OF any OF the adventures
because Of these severe trials, but it |
remains, nevertheless, for DR.. Nansen |
to explain why he left the Fran and |
all of his companions but one and made
his way back to civilization. He ex-
presses the fullest confidence that the
vessel will return, but he deserted it 10
the Arctic solitude seventeen months
ago, and that is all that can certainly
be said about it and the men aboard Of
it.
We are assured that DR.. Nsnsen
brings back with him several maps and
many photographs to increase our knowl-
edge of the region that he visited. He
was gone three years, and there is no
reason to believe. that is to say, that he
anything of substantial
The fact that he got near
or to the Pole than any previous ex-
plorer counts only in comparative way
and not rs decisive triumph. 1t can
be said, perhaps, that he has added
to the possibility of ultimate
success in the case, and this will en-
courage other adventurous spirits to
make other attempts OF that cert, and
in the course OF time the Pole may be
But of what value would euch
an achievement be after all? 1t would
not IN any respect promote the interests
Of civilization. There are no chances
Of gain in those distant and forbiddiDg
Businesses of snow and ice, no promises
Of new sources of prosperity and hsppi-
ness. Why, then, should energy and
money snd life be wasted in the solu-
lion Of such a problem? There are
abundant enterprises Of sn advsntg-
yeous character for all OF the idle cour-
,ge and ambition in the world. A man
Who wishes to render creditable service
md give prominence to his name need
rot go 30 far away in search of an op-
There are better fields much
learer home, and wisdom lies In mani
Getting q preference for them instead of
fielding to the useless infatuation OF
Arctic exploration.