The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-08
LIEUT.. PEARy IN PORTLAND.
He is Interviewed and Talks of His Plans
for the Future and What He Hopes to
Accomplish.

The distinguished explorer and
scientist, Lieut.. r. E. Peary, arrived In
the city last evening from New York, and
was met upon his arrival by his represen
tative Mr.. O. W. Currier, and reporter
for the PRESS. Mr.. Peary very gracious
~ accorded the PRESS man few
moments chat, although the hour was
late, in the course of which he outlined
some OF his future plans and aspirations.
In the beginning Lieut. Peary said that
he was always pleased to come to Portland
his native city, and was glad of the
present opportunity of speaking here. lie
had not forgotten his former cordial re-
ceptlon two years ago on the occasion OF
MS visit here with the S. S. Kite TWO
years ago on the eve of his departure on
The memorable clash for the pole as 1t
had been termed. He was made conscious
then that the people of his native city
mad deep interest In this work, and this
TACT alone had been a strong incentive to-
wards the carrying out of the project of
his life, that OF reaching point north OF
ninety degrees latitude and $50 longitude,
| otherwise the POLE
Nansen he said reached point only one
| degree further north than himself, and
next March he should start on an eX-
petition to reach the pole or never come
back alive. 1t was simply do or die" with
him. He had the financial means at his
disposal and the United States govern
meDt had granted him a five years leave
OF absence, he should start away prepared
for a stay in the north for his duration of
tlme His trip to Greenland, the past
season, had been for the purpose of
putting himself in communication with
the small tribe of Arctic highlanders in
the neighborhood of Cape York, the most
northern people on the globe. With the
ala OF these hardy pepole, it was his pur-
pose to go as far as possible on the steam
er, then cross the ice cap for Greenland
establish village on its northern border.
and from that village as base of sup
plies, to-start for the pole, with two or
three trusted natives, across land and
ice. He was confident that the only way
by which the pole could be reached was
from the American side.
The secondary purpose of this summer 8
trip said Lieut.. Peary, was to get the
big meteorite which he had discovered at
Cape York and bring it home. This had
been successfully accomplished, and
science had been enriched by the safe
landing in New York of the largest
meteoric mass ever seen by civilized man,
it being of nickel steel, and weighing
about one hundred tons. VA
Speaking of Andree, Lieut. Peary said
he had been asked many times what he
thought of the chances for the ballonist's
safe return. He could only answer that
he thought there was about one chance
in a thousand of Andree having accom-
plished his wish, but he thought there
was about an even chance of his escape.
When last seen, after leaving Spitzbergen
his balloon was being driven eastward
He might have landed on the Siberian
coast, and if such were the case, nothing
could be heard from him for many
months after his landing.
Lieut.. Peary's lecture will partake of
the nature of a public reception tonigh.
at the Jefferson. Governor Powers and
staff are expected to be present Hon.
Thomas r. Reed, Ex-Governor Cleaves,
Mayor Randall and the faculty of Bow
doin college have been invited to occupy
boxes, and the students from Bowdoin will
tinguished alumnus.