New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-17
ARCTIC ADVENTURE ~ 1896.

The present season is marked with more than
ordinary interest in respect of Arctic explora-
ton. More expeditions than usual have been
at work, and some results of uncommon impor-
lance have already been attained. DR. Nansen
has just returned from his daring adventure,
crowned with brilliant success. He did not
reach the Pole, but he got about two hundred
miles nearer to 1t than any one else has done: he
demonstrated the practicability Of his peculiar
method Of exploration. although he partially dis
proved his own theory Of Arctic currents. and
he gained a considerable store of Information
concerning the polar regions which he will pres
emily make the common property of the world.
His achievement assures him honorable fame
among the most daring and most successful of
explorers in the frozen North.
What Mr. Andree Is doing Is a matter Of spec
ulaton Word may be expected from him any
day, or It may not come for some time. The last
report was that he was ready to start on his
unique voyage. and is only awaiting a favorable
wind If that did not speedily come, however,
he would have to abandon the enterprise for this
year, for the Arctic day was drawing to a close,
and, OF course, he would not venture on balloon
voyage to the Pole by starlight The rumor that
his balloon had been seen by Indians on this CON
probability is that he has not started, but is on
his way back TO Europe, bafiied by unpropltous
weather.
The Peary expedition is icebOund. but In good
condition. and will doubtless be able to continue
It's work Its commanders name is identified
with some of the most successful exploits in
Northern Greenland. and there is good reason 10
look for many more achievements by him and
h;c NOT
to a mere dash for the Pole, but TO complete ex-
ploraon of the country as he goes along. to fill
ing out the blank spaces on the map. and TO add
Ing as much as possible to detailed scientific lore.
That is. after ALL the most profitable work 10
be done in those regions. and the doing OF II dis
tnguishes the true explorer from the more sensa-
tonal adventurer.
The JeaffresOn-Farnham expedition has got
back from SpltZbergen with not much to its
credit in the way of actual discovery. but with
plenty Of stories to tell OF desperate struggles
and harbreadth escapes from destruction. One
man died Of scuryy. The Others In attempting
to explore the bays and nets Of the coast had
their boat crushed in the ice, and would prob
ably have persisted mserably had not some
walrus- hunters appeared upon the scene and
rescued them. Spitzbergen Is scarcely halfway
from Norway TO the Pole. and must be reckOned
in fairly low ATTITUDES compared with the height
attained by Greedy. Peary. Nansen and others.
Yet the exploration Of it is attended with no less
danger than attempts upon the Pole itself
Far more successful was the Conway expedi-
ton. which also made Spitzbergen the scene OF
it's endeavors. Sir Martin Conway. naturally,
after his famous scramblcs on the Karakorum
and Hmaaya ranges. chose inland exploration
and mountain climbing rather than voyaging
along the coast He made his way clear across
Spitzbcrgen. from west 10 east. and back again.
There no such lofty climbing 20 do az In
Asia. But there were some considerable hills.
with preclpitous walls Of ice, the ascent of which
was a most arduous task. There were also some
enormous bogs and swamps. across which pas
sage was both dangerous and difficult. All OBJ
stacles overcome. however. and n more
complete knowledge Of the interior of SpltZ-
bergen was gained than the world has ever had
before Sir Martin and his comrades are still
pursuing their tasks in that nhospltable region.
and will doubtless attain further results Of sci
entihc value.
Special attention has been attracted to the
Jackson armsworih expedition. through the
fact OF It's having effected an accidental junction
with Or hansen and having brought him home
to Europe. II has been busy in Franz Josef
Land, and has made the first accurate maps Of
the western part of that territory. II has also
discovered new Islands OF considerable magni-
tude, forming part Of the same group, and has
secured some valuable collections OF geological,
botanical and meteorological specimens. The
work Of all these explorers and Of other parties
which We have not mentioned and the sys-