The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-24
DIR. NkNSEN'S STORY.
sNTERVEW WITH THE FAMOUS Ex-
PLORER At HIS HOME. 4

tion-SOme Exciting and Romantic Ad-
ventures--He VIII Try Again.
DR.. Nansen, the famous arctic ex.
plorer. who has recently returned from
the three year trip which took him
nearer the north pole than any previous
explorer, has been interviewed at his
home in Lysaker. Norway. by J. Arthur
Balm, and many Interesting facts will
be found in the following extracts from
The Strand Magazine. Mr.. Balm, who
was personally acquainted with the ex-
plorer, having met him previous to his
departure, was warmly received.
He is now engaged in writing the
story of his "trip, but nevertheless talked
freely of it,
'T have Ettle hesitation. says Mr..
Balm. sin expressing the opinion that
the doctor will undoubtedly make an
other attempt to reach the north pole.
There is weird attraction in these
arctic regions; there is splendor in
the heavens and magnetic mystery
which hovers over large portion Of
these unexplored seas and lands There
can be no doubt that the powerful fasci-
nation has taken firm hold Of the ad-
venturous spirit of DR.. Nansen and over
those who have once entered the arctic
world. No fear of suffering Is sufficient
to subdue the desire to solve the great
problem. The only cure for the arctic
fever is the discovery of the north pole,
and it is my opinion that DR.. Nansen
H..
In the attempt
"'What will become of the Franz?
1900 sae Doctor
"'She will probably be kept at Hor-
ten. / may require her again soon and
cannot possibly have a better ship for
arctic or antarctic work
will you again attempt to reach
the north pole?' queried.
Il cannot positively say yet, he re-
piled, i think so. But perhaps shall
endeavor to discover the south pole first
and then make renewed attack on the
north pole on Iuy return from antarctic
regions. l must, however, finish my
work in connection with the records of
my recent expedition before making
definite plans for another voyage.
Here is pleasant bit of arctic ro-
nance:
"Dr Blessing was the only unmar-
ried member of the crew, and a roman
tic incident connected with him is not
without interest. Dr. Blessing had been
engaged to fair Norwegian maiden be-
fore be became member Of DR.. Nam
sens party. After his departure the
young lady naturally became very anx-
ious to communicate with her future
husband, but, although love laughs at
locks and bolts, it is not easy for Cupid
to send his messages to the icebound
regions of the north, and for time even
feminine resource was unequal 10 the
task of dispatching letter to Dr. Bless
ing, somewhere near the north pole.
lone day, however the lady read of
nj. Andree's proposition for balloon
voyage to the pole, and she approached
him with request that he would take
love missive, in the hope that it would
reach the object Of her choice.
Though every ounce of additional
weight was serious matter, gallantry
prevented M. Andree from refusing the
request Of the young girl, and he took
that he would meet the Fran and be
able to deliver the note to DR.. Blessing.
When finally the projected balloon voy-
age had to be given up in consequence
of the failure of favorable southerly
winds, NJ. Andree handed the letter to
the captain of whaling vessel that was
going northward, on the off chance that
it might fall in with the FRAN.
''Singularly enough, the vessel did
encounter the Fran, with DR.. Blessing
ON board. The letter was delivered, and
thus some time before reachingShe Nor
wegian coast the young doctor saw the
handwriting of his fiancee and read her
written protestations of love"
SIN what did your scientific work con-
sist?'
"That requires little consideration, f"
said the doctor. Then, after pause:
''It consisted of exact observations, and
my expedition will be chiefly gain to
meteorology and oceanography. We had
to take magnetic and meteorological
observations on sea andAland, when we
found any land. We had to observe the
temperature of the ocean at all depths
and seasons of the year. to sound, trawl
and dredge and to study che character
and distribution of marine organisn."
''It is popular fallacy," continues
]Bain, that DIR. Naneen started out
ssolely to reach the north pole. II this
thad been so, no doubt the criticisms Of
those who say that the voyage was q
failure would be justified. But this
view is inaccurate and unjust to Nan
sen. What he went ont to dowas to OK.
plore the arctic basin, and, If possible.
10 settle certain problems connected
with it.
Before leaving Norway. an 1898,
DR.. Nansen made three predictions re.
garding his venture. The first was that
1895 would probably be the first year
in which Il would be heard Of. The Sec
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