Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-04

in Christiana about thirty years ago. He
stands, judge, about five feet nre in his
stockings, weighs 1G0 pounds and; has a
straight. well-rounded form. His features
are almost German in their cast. His eyes
are blue. his hair light brown and his
mustache is of sandy hue. He has a
high forehead, straight nose and lips
rather thicker than ordinary. In repose
his face is rather stern, but as he talks his
eyes light up with a smile. He appreciates
joke, and he gave a hearty laugh now
and then during his descriptions of some
of the humorous incidents connected with
his voyage. Mr.. Borchgrevink is we'll
educated man. He went to college in Swe-
den and continued his education at one of
the German universities. He speaks En-
glish f1EeLtly and our chat was in that
language
hansen and the North Pole.
In talking about his first desire for polar
exploration he said that he had for years
aimed to go to the north pole and that all
Of his studies had been with that in view
He told me that he had worked together
with Nansen and that the two had often
taken excursions together in Norway to
harden themselves for future work Upon
my asking as what he thought of the re-
ports of Nansen's having reached the pole,
Mr. Borchgrevink replied.
Il doubt it. The news from hansen comes
to US at the wrong time Of the year. Had
ne IedCHFU tHe uOTlu pore we should nave
heard from him in September instead of in
the middle of the winter. Had he been
successful do not see why he should have
come back over the same road that he
went in going to the pole. His idea. you
know, was to get into a certain stream.
which he thought flowed around the pole
and to have 1oated or drifted right around
it. Why he should have gone to the pole
ana then come back fighting against the
current cannot see. l think there must
be some mistake about the reports"
asked
He is a man of great force" w,s tho
reply. He is very enthusiastic, is full of
energy and at the same time is cool and
calculating. He is not a crazy enthusiast
as many people suppose. He laid out his
grounds, and it may be that he will sue
ceed."
Andree and His Balloon.
"How about the balloonists voyage to
the pole? Do you think there is any chance
of his success?"
who can tell!' replied Mr.. Borchgre-
wink. Il met Mr.. Andree during the geo
graphical congress at London last July and
had chat with him about his proposed
trip. He argues very plausbly as to his
schemes. You know King Oscar of Sweden
Is much interested in it. King Oscar is n
man OF extraordinary ability. He is well
l mean By this that he can write things
himself. He is not like many other mon
archs who have posed before the world as
having literary ability, Who have had 9th
ers do the writing for which thew have GOT.
ten the credit. King Oscar is much infer-
ested in science. He has paid much atten-
tlon to arctic exploration, and he has given
quite lot OF money to further Mr.. An
dree's expedition.
In connection with this" Mr.. Borchgre-
WINK went on. I heard a curious story
about King Oscar the other day which
somewhat illustrates my idea of Andres
ana MS trip. well-known geographer of
Philadelphia paid a visit 10 Sweden a
month or SO ago. and during his stay there
ne met ms majesty. the king. His majesty
TAXED with him at length about geosraph-
lcal sup9ects. and among other things ask
ca the Fniladelphian what he thought of
Andree's expedition. Hereupon the Ph,la-
oeipnian laughed. and replied that Andree
must be crazy, and that his whole scheme
saVoreo OF 1unacy. The king answered the
fniladelphtan that he might possibly he
right but that II the balloon expedition
savoreo OF lunacy. it was q sublime unacv.
don't think that the Philadelphian knaw
tnat the king had contributed to the az.
petition ~ 'A' "a
Some of the Danxers.
How long will Andree's balloon voyage
probably be. Mr.. Borchgrevinkr"
It Is Andree's idea," was the reply. "that
he VIII b able to ny over the north pole in
about week. He win carry his balloon on
ship to the furthest possible point north
and then. by rising, the currents Of wind
VIII Garry him over the polo He axnects 70
| eccompusn IN the oourse Of q few days thai