The San Francisco call., 1897-10-17
interviewed Just Prior
to His Departure for
America.
Has Great Faith in Andree
and Hopes He Is Chartered
for the Winter.
And the Daring Scientist Also Says
Peary Is in the Front Rank
of Explorers.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL.

NEW YORK, n. Y. Oct. 16-A cable to
the World from Liverpool says: DR.. Nan
sen, the Arctic explorer. sailed on the
Lucania to-day for New York. Your cor
respondent found him day or two ago at
his pretty house at Lysaker, near Chris
fiania, and had chat with him about his
projected American tour. The explorer
was sitting at his desk debating answers
to his numerous correspondents, but he
good-naturedly yielded the time necessary
10 give such information as his visitor de-
sired.
II am trying to get as much Of my scien-
tifc notes ready for publication as possible
before sail for the United States" he said
in perfect Eng ish. 81 am working fifteen
hours day at present, and am still be-
hindhand."
Questioned as to his programme for his
American tour DR.. Nanseu said:
my arran gements are altogether in the
hands of the Redpath Lyceum Bureau.
My present expectation is to be back by
the middle of January, but it is possible
L may extend my stay, so l may be de-
layed until the beginnins of February. l
am looking forward to my visit with keen
cans are in Arctic exploration, and have
had plentiful proofs of their appreciation
OF what l have been able to achieve in thai
field. My wife is very sorry that she ca n
not acco mpany me. but We have our baby
TO consider, and we have decided it TO be
inadvisable 10 subject the child TO the in
convenience of such tr.p."
Here Nansen remarked that when he
was young man about % years of age he
was offered a position with Profess
Marsh in New Haven, Conn.,, and before
he went to Greenland he was offered a pro-
fessorship in the State University of In
diana. Being asked what he thought of
Lieutenant Peary's projected expedition.
D. Nansen said:
Il have only seen the short dispatches
in the newspapers. To pass an accurate
judgment should have full details of his
plans, which have not. But if you ask
me what think OF Lieutenant Peary as an
explorer, may tell you that, judging by
his former achievements, l regard him as
standing in the very front rank. have
no doubt his plans will be cIeverly laid
and courageously carried out"
What is your theory about the fate of
Andree?" was asked.
II think Andree is still alive. 1t is not
sslrily bad sign that he has not
baen heard from yet. My idea is that he
has proba bly, landed in The North Ameri-
Can Archipelago or on the northern
shores OF America, or the Siberian coast
In either case he will have to go into
winter quarters and await spring in ord er
to be able TO communicate with the out.
side world. You must remem Der that he
HarrIad nrOViSinns with nj
months. Oh. no; l think it altogether
TOO soon to be hopeless about him."
Have you formed any plans for a
future expedition yourseH?"
No; l have not mad time to do so for
one thing, and am not yet done with the
say as yet, IN fact, whether l shall ever
form any further plans in that direction"
What about the Antarctic circle?"
Ah, yes; that is a fascinating oues-
tion, but | am no. practically conversant
with II, at present at any rate. In fact
| am not considering the possibility oil
further Arctic exploration at all at pres
ent."
From your experience what country
do you find displays the deepest interest
III Arctic exploration ?'
ENGLAND, undou btedly But interest
is very keen in all Eng glish-sreaking coun.
tries"
nave you 1elt any Ill effects from the
privatiCns you have endured?' ?''
Not the slightest; do look it? What
do you think OF meP'
Here DR.. Nansen arose from his seat
and stood upright; a magnificent speci-
men of manhood; tall and spare, mu4.
cular, athletic looktng, his fair skin clear
as child's, his blue eyes shining with
amusement at the question.
DO you intend your baby to follow
your footsteps in the land of eternal
ice2'
Nansen smiled as he answered: "That
IS long way ahead. Why, the north pole
may be accessible as Chrlstiania. more or
less, when he is old enough to think OF
doing anything
Here Dr. Nansen wheeled his chair
around again TO his desk, and before your
representative was well out of the room
he was debating afresh 10 his secretarv