The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-02

make the meteorological and scientific
observations; Mr.. Strindberg will at
tend to photography and kindred OBJ
jects, will watch and direct the course
of the balloon. Besides this, we will
help one another and put our hands to
anything that is needed; two of us will
be always on duty, and only ont at a
time may Sleep
Questioned as to the object of the ex-
petition, Prof. Andree said:
TO DEMONSTRATE BALLOONS
USEFULNESS.
aside from the geographical object,
the work of the expedition has a dis
tinctly photographic and meteorologi-
cal interest. Then 1 wish to demon
strate to the world the great usefulness
of the balloon in explorations-particu
larly in arctic explorations. One of the
| chief results of the expedition may thus
be that it will give a new impetus to
exploration of unknown lands and fur
nish new means of overcoming OBJ
stacles hitherto considered well-nigh
impossible.
1T is curious coincidence that Just
800 years ago Barents discovered Spitz-
bergen. 1t was held as a very remark
able exploit at the time. Spitzbergen
was country which nobody could ever
expect to reach, but now it is a we'll
known tourist country. During the
last ten or fifteen years several tourist
steamers visit the country annually,
and now hear that regular summer
hotel for tourists is to be erected there.
1T is the first move in an enterprise
like this that is problematic and per-
haps somewhat risky. When the trip
is made once the ice is broken, and
there is no longer that uncertainty
which makes the undertaking seem so
hazardous. Those who come after
have former experiences to be guided
by, and can make their calculations.
Look at Franz Josef's land. For years
strenuous efforts had been made to
reach 1t, but in vain. Then, in 1873, the
second Austrian expedition was driven
on to it by the ice, and now we have
regular annual communications with
it.
''And look at Africa. Before Stanley
crossed it the expedition was consider
ed to be an impoSsibility. l think that
in the future the crossing of the north
pole will be as frequent and much
easier than is the crossing of Africa"
HAS WON CONVERTS ABROAD.
What is the feeling abroad regard
ing your enterprise?"
Among professional aeronauts the
feeling is almost unanimous on my
side. M Renard, in France, held out
longest against me, but lately he has
come around also, and now gives me
his hearty Endorsement. But 1 must
leave you now. Aufs Wiederschu in
the fall"
II hope So"
"Oh, assuredlyp'
And the explorer fastened to a con-
ference with his brother, Capt. Ernst
Andree, who is the agent of the ex-
petition in Gothenburg and who has
had charge of the entire work of load
ing and getting the steamer ready for
the trip.
The tone and bearing of Mr.. Andree
In regard to his enterprise is so buoy
ant and so entirely confident that he
leaves his interviewer in a like frame
of mind regarding the ultimate sue
cess of the expedition.
Prof. Andree carries with him twelve
floating buoys, which will be dropped.
one after the other, as he is nearing
the pole. They are made of cork, about
the size of mans head, and in the
shape Of balloon. They are covered
by a copper-wire netting, weighted in
the bottom, and with sharp copper
prod affixed. If the buoy drops on ice
the prod will stick in the ice and the
bpoy will float with it; if the float
drops in the water it will drift with the
current, and may some day be picked
UP in the Atlantic a silent messenger
from the expedition. A cylinder in the
interior Of the buoy will serve as
receptacle for messages, which the
aeronauts will put in before they drop
1t. On top of the buoy will be a small
Swedish flag of sheet iron. The buoy
itself is also painted a bright yellow
and blue, and being made entirely of
cork, it will stand an immense pressure
without being destroyed
Bets are already being made on the
success of the expedition, and in New
! York grand dinner will be given to
| the members of the expedition pro-
Vlded they return by way Of America.