Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-16
Ihs Years Polar Expeditions.

are of particular interest to Americans
because of the fact that, with two ex-
ceptions only, our countrymen are
represented on them. The most
important from this standpoint is
the one under command of America s
most noted explorer, Lieutenant Rob-
ert E. Peary, which is supposed to be
now somewhere in the neighborhood of
Sherrerd- Osborn Fjord, North Green
land. This expedition. which left New
York last summer, has for it's object
the discovery of the North Pole by the
Greenland route. The plan is that of
its commander, and is unique in some
respects. The maximum period of its
absence from civilization is set at five
years and the chief reliance on success,
beyond the personal energy of Lieuten-
ant Peary, is the Eskimos. A novel
feature in their use is the employment
of entire families of men, women and
children, instead of men only, as has
been the custom formerly with explor-
ers. In taking this course, Lieutenant
Peary was actuated by the knowledge
of the deep family affection which ex-
lists among the Eskimos and the strong
feeling Of inconsistencies which impairs
the usefulness of the men when sepa-
rated for any long period from their
wives and children. Lieutenant Peary' S
idea is to travel by easy stages with
his Eskimo assistants to the northern
most limit of land nearest the North
Pole, and then make a sudden dash
thither at the first favorable opportu-
nifty. Supplies are to be taken him an
nually by ships.
Next in interest to the Peary expe-
dition is that of Captain Adrien Ger
loche, who sailed more than a year ago
for the South Polar regions under the
auspices of the Belgian government
and by the aid of private subscrip-
tions. Fears have been expressed for
the safety of this expedition because
of it's failure to put in at an Australian
port according to an arrangement be-
fore sailing. The chief interest in this
expedition among the people of this
country arises from the fact that DR..
F. A. Cook, resident of Brooklyn and
well known Arctic explorer, is one
of it's members. The objects of the
Gerloche expedition are Graham S
Land and Victoria Land.
Interest in the South Polar regions
has been strongly aroused among ge-
ographers during the last few years,
and, besides Gerloche's, there is still
another expedition in that almost un-
known section of the world; namely,
that under command of Mr.. Borchgre-
wink. His vessel, the Southern Cross,
sailed last August with large party
of over thirty, and the object is to get
as near the South Pole as possible.
who, with one companion, sailed away
| in balloon from Danes Island in July
1897, in the hope of passing over the
North Pole. A number of searching
expeditions have been sent out but no
traces of the two men have been found
| There is little, if any, hope that either
is alive. Many reports have been re-
| eeived and published to the effect that
Andree or traces of him have been dis
covered, but these all proved to be de-
void of truth. Among those who have
made fruitless search for the daring
aeronaut are Evelyn Baldwin, an
| American, who spent more than year
with Lieutenant Peary in North
Greenland, and who was to have taken
| the journey with Andree had anything
happened to prevent his assistant from
going; Walter Wellman. a Washington
newspaper correspondent, who once
made an effort to reach the North Pole
by way of Spitzbergen, and Theodol
Lerner,a German,who made the search
in the steam yacht Heligoland, ant
reached 81 degrees north latitude.
In addition to Lieutenant Peary':
| there is yet another party making ex
plorations in the Arctic regions by way
| of tn Greenland route. This is the
one under Sverdrup, formerly captain
of the Fran, when DR.. Nansen made
his mighty and almost successful jour
ney to the North Pole. Sverdrup, 1t i:
said, has taken almost the identca
route planned by Lieutenant Peary
namely, by way of Smiths Straits.
The great damage done to the United
States supreme court room a few day.
ago by an explosion of gas and by fir
recalls the plan inaugurated SOM
eight years ago by Senator Morrill,, o
| Vermont, for a Building of Justice,
as it was to have been called. Hi
plan was for the purchase of sole
square of land Immediately adjoinin,
| III hn