The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-15
TO WATCH FOR ANDREE'S BILLOON.
instructions for Arctic Natives About tho
Swedish Polar Expedition.

All the whaling and sealing vessels sailing
from the Pacific coast for the Arctic Ocean
and all trading expeditions OF every kind start
ing for summer tours in the polar regions are
taking with them notices to communicate TO
the natives of the regions they visit. telling OF
the possible appearance there next fall OF Prof.
Andree's balloon, and informing them what
kind Of thing it is, and what to do and what not
to do to it and to tho men who are expected to
appear with it.
Prof. Andree is to start from Spitzbergen with
his balloon party some time in July next, and
will try to float over the North Pole. There Is
no telling just where the balloon may come
down, and. above all, there Is no telling just
what the natives of the polar regions might
think OF a balloon If they saw one. They might
think it WAS an evil spirit and attempt to de-
stroy it and the beings it carried, or they might
flee from it in terror. Either of these acts
would be unfortunate. So tho civilized people
going up Behring Sea way have been commits
stoned to give all tho natives they come across
elementary information on the subject of aero
nautics and especial information Us to what to
do il an aeronaut comes their way.
The Swedish Consuls at the various Pacific
coast cities have been ut great pains to commu-
nlcate with all parties going. to the far north.
and ask their assistance in his behalf; The
Geographical Society of the Pacific coast Is also
active IN the Sutno matter. Inc iHClnC Stctlh
Whaling Company sends vessels 10 practically
All parts of tho A rctic Ocean reached through
Behring sea-, and II has carefully instructed all
It's CAPTAINS TO do their best to instruct the
natives. The Alaska Commercial Company
will send like instructions to all Its posts
and to all points reached by tts vessels.
The Captains and agents are asked TO make
known To the inhabitants of those parts OF
Alaska, British Columbia, and Siberia border
ing upon the Arctic Ocean the possibility OF the
balloon reaching their country, and to ask them
10 give the halloOnists support and assistance,
and help and direct them 10 the nearest white
settlement. The natives will also be asked to
report any news whatever they may get of the
balloon to the nearest white settlement, aad
esnecially 10 report II they see the balloon.
Cant. McIirrggOr of the steam whaler OrCa,
which sailed from san Francisco TO the Arctic
last week, SAYS that the natives along The Amer
lean coast OF the Arctic know enough English
to trade with the whalers, but the natives ON tho
siberian coast speak only q little Russian be:
sides their own language. The Tchutchis OF
WTanRel land were literally rewarded by tho
United States Government two or three years
ago for assisting some shipwrecke cd. American
sailors, and the news OF this reward has spread
among the natives, and Is likely to do much
toward securing good treatment for Prof. An.
dree's party, or any other white men, should
they be- in difficulties in that region. The whal-
ing men say that such news as the sighting ofa
balloon would travel with great rapidity among
the natives all over the northern country.