The Topeka state journal., 1897-07-26
ANDREE'S FEARS.
1t Was Not With a Light Heart
He Started
For the North Pole in His Bal
loon.
He SPECIAL WRITER
On Berlin Newspaper Tells of
Andree's Forebodings.
Not the Open Sea He Feared,
But Other Dangers.

Berlin, July 26.-The special CORES
pondent of the Lokalanzeiger, who was
sent by his paper on a vessel chartered
for the purpose of witnessing Andree's
start by balloon for the North pole, has
just returned to Berlin, from the north
of Norway.
He spent in all about four weeks in
the company of the intrepid Swedish
engineer and enjoyed the distinction of
sharing Andree's tent while on terra
firma. In the course of his interesting
"reminiscences, he relates some incidents
which elucidate some of the otherwise
incomprehensible proceedings of the
Arctic aerial explorer. 1t will be remem-
bered that Andree when he made his
ascent was in danger of being dashed
against the OVerhanglng rocks above
Tromsoe.
The correspondent asserts that on ac-
count of these high cliffs, which were
in the very path of his intended route
of ascent, he feared that he would not
rise high enough, and purposely left his
drag rope behind.
Andree frequently referred in omin-
Gus tones to the dangers to the depar-
ture from the balloon shed. He argued
that on account of the unfavora BILE en-
virons he would not venture to start in
a temperate wind, but that he would
have to be blown directly north by al
most a gale. He thought, too, that it
might be necessary for him to throw
most of his ballast overheard, and even
his provisions in case of a life and death
emergency.
Andree often said that when he found
himself over the open sea, he had no
immediate danger to fear. He had no
dread of the possible bursting of his
balloon. The only difficulty he thought
would be continuous season of rain
When the evening of July there
came a sudden gale from the south
to persuade him to take advantage of
the change of wind, but Andree stoutly
declined to consent to the proposition,
as he said that the wind would not
prove very lasting. Though the men
had worked all night in the shed to
prepare the balloon for the voyage, it
was seen on the following morning that
Andree's prognostication was correct,
for within a few hours a storm arose
from the northeast which, had he
hearkened to the advice of his friends,
would have driven him back to shore
at once.
The aeronaut had a prolonged talk
with the German correspondent on July
g. who, by the way, is a thorough me-
teorological student himself and spoke
of certain disputes which he had with his
travelling colleagues regarding the ex
pediency Of the enterprise.
He spoke feelingly of the high re-
sponsibility resting upon him not only
on account of the dangers threatening
his own life, but also those of his COM
panions. He said that he was often as
sailed by dark forebodings, and for this
reason he could only proceed with the
geratest prudence, and that he would
not hurl himself and his party headlong
into avoidable perils.
Andree thought he might expect
more favorable winds on or about July
16. If his anticipations were thwarted
by that time he would try an ascent
either in a northwestern or northeast
ern direction. He would not think of
without having accomplished
something. This, according to his
opinion. was duty, as it was not only
a question of his own honor, but that of