The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-29
ANDREE's LONELY JOURNEY.

Although It is probable that Andree
may not be heard OF for year or more
from the time he started. even according
10 his own calculations, the public VIII
not feel any the less anxiety as 10 his
welfare. There is something almost sol
emn In the notion that while We are at
tending 10 everyday business, and the
affairs Of life are proceeding and absorb
ing mans interest. these lonely voyagers
are far off In absolute solitude, and II
their balloon has collapsed almost de-
spairing OF the possibility Of escape.
II would be the most cruel fate if An
dree and his companions had accom-
pHshed the task they had undertaken
and solved the mystery which had defied
all previous efforts, and finding them
selves able TO impart the great secret,
yet should be doomed to perish with their
labor thrown away and their story I'M
told
Hope and experience win keep men
vaeillatlng between the expectation OF
seeing the adventures and in misgivings
az TO their ever being seen again. In
theory It seems so simple. and yet science
warns Va that the task Is well nigh Inn
possible. Such authorities as NJ Alexis
Machuron. the French aeronaut, and
President ]. Scott Kettle, Of the British
Royal Geographical Society, have ex-
ion is not based upon any doubt as to
the outcome OF the expedition, while
other we'll known scientists have been
equally positive IN expressing their doubts
Among the more notable OF the latter
Is Col. Templer. the chief OF the British
army bauooning school at Aldershot, who
f. convinced that Andree cannot avoid
disaster. except by miracle. His opin-
ION - not based upon any doubt as to
the feasibility OF reaching the pole by
balloon. but on what he considers the
unsclentlfc character OF Andree's ma
chine. He says that no silk balloon such
as that he Is using can retain the gas
for the time required. Speaking from q
lifelong experience, he declares that the
only possible aerostat for impermea-
hllty IS skin balloon such as Is used
In the army. and which are made frem
q vast NUMBER CT skis takcn rom inc
intestines % oxen In addition to that
Andree is almost an amateur IN balloon
Ing. aud on such a voyage Col TEMPER
SAYS that q man should he a master OF
every device that naIloonist can know
There ia one point made BY Col TEN
pier which must have occurred 20 any
boay who took an interest in the prepa-
rations for Andrse's journey. For tho
FIRST trip It would have sufHced TO do
nothing more than have a powerful field
glass with which 70 make observations
that could BE 3otted down by ore Of his
fellow voyarers. Not content WITH this
ne eucuraberea himself with a number
81 scientific instruments which would be
C Httie uze except for very short time
and IL would be Impossible for three men.
handling a balloon possibly tossed about
by contrary currents. 70 make use CT those
Instruments VITA an accuracy which
would De needed - make TIRE results Of
value These are minor objections. ara
= ire daring aeronaut orly succeeds in
sighting the spot wh.cb forms The North
pole he wiu have accomplished enough
for oos century ana achieved fame
enough for any ore man,