New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-06
SVERDRUP AND PEARY.
NANSEN SAYS THAT THE AMERICAN HAA
NO PRIOR CLAIM
sVERDRUP. HOWEVER. WILL. MAKE NO ATTEMPT
TO REACH THE POLE-HTs PLANS FORMED
AS EARLY AS THOSE or PEARY.

TO REACH THE PoLE-Hrs PLANS FORMED
AS EARLY AS THOSE or PEARY
IF NOT EARLIER
Louisville. Jan (specisD.-No matter what con.
troVcrsies may arise. Captain Sverdrup DR. Nan.
sens Norwegian navigator who directed the neril.
Gus coursc Of tho Fran during the explorers last
eNpe'''on' VIII lead an exploring party to tho
frozen North next summer. The authority for
TINS statement is DR. hansen himself who lectured
IN Louisville tonight When seen by Tribuna
correspondent. Dr. hansen said that the Nor
"esan Government had already consented 10 lend
captain Sverdrup the Fran and that the sturdv
seaman would sail for Smith Sound and the unex-
piored region beyond early in the coming summer
tie VIII take with him about fifty men,
As IS generally known DR.. hansen is n man OF
rev words He talks little OF his own future plans
70 say nothing OF those OF other men, He ex-
pressed the belief. however that though Lieuten.
ant Peary might have been the first 10 conceive
the idea OF securing collections and making OBJ
servations on the extreme northwestern coast OF
Greenland by forced passage through Smith Sound
all this was unknown to Captain Syerdrup who
has been making plans for such an expedition for
some time.
DR.. Nansen further said that Captain sverdrup
would make no attempt to reach the North Pole,
but would devote all his time to scientific investi-
cations along the coast Of Greenland AS he did
not know Of Lieutenant Peary's intentions while
forming his own plans. DR.. hansen does not be-
leve It would be an act Of discourtesy for Captain
Sverdrup to persist In carrying out his scheme; and
inasmuch as DR. hansen IS convinced that sver-
drup conceived the plan early Peary II not
earlier. he does not think that Peary has a prior
clam on the route and project or that he is en-
titled TO any exclusive privileges on the northern
coast Of Greenland.
The correspondent mentioned to Or. Nansen tho
report that Jackson, the English explorer, on
hearing Lieutenant peary lecture abandoned his
expedition to Greenland and the North Pole believ-
ing that Peary nai prior claims. Dr. Nansen
had only recently returned from Franz Joseph
Land. and ne (Nansen) did not believe that ne
planned by Captain Sverdrup
Captain Sverdrup. Norwegian by birth. was
the navigator Of Nsnsens ship, the Fran on the
occasion OF the Swedish explorers historic drift
with Arctic Nansen himself has aban-
doned for the present II not forever the purpose
Of seeking the North Pole. But last September.
when Peary came back ION Greenland, stories
were current that Sverdrup had in view some
such scheme the American explorer
Just year ago Peary defined his Intentions
before the American Geographical Society SUBJ
stantially as follows: In the summer OF 1898 he
would force his ship through Smith Sound 10 the
highest practicable point the northwestern coast
OF Greenland, he would establish an Esquimau colony
somewhere. base Of future operations. and
from that he would carry on his explorations II
necessary for five years The declared objects OF
this expedition not merely the attainment OF
the Pole but also a detailed survey Of the north
western coast Of Greenland more complete de-
lneation OF the detached land masses or that
coast and the securing OF such scientific collections
and observations as may be practicable. Last
summer Peary went UP 10 the region when no
had visited several times before and MADE certain
preliminary arrangements for his next venture
He selected the Esqu!maus who are to cooperate
with him and gave them certain instructions.
Measures were taken during the autumn TO as
certain the truth of the rumors about Sverdrups
purposes 1t was announced In certain foreign
papers about a month ago that he had dis
avowed any immediate intention OF seeking the
Pole but meant 10 up the west coast or Green
land and explore the north coast NOT only arc
these objects and this route the same as Pearys'
but 1t has been feared that in one OF severa4 di-
ferent ways Sverdrups expedition might imperu
the success OF Peary's enterprise In emergency.
sverdrup might be compelled 10 fall back upon
Peary's base Of operations consuming the latters
food supplies and working other mischef IN the
Americans special colony: . ~u,
While Peary in London occurring a low
weeks ago the English explorer, Jackson VINO wa
recently engaged In exploring Franz JOSEF Lano
and no had conceived the idea OF gong 10
land and the pole announced that he RECOGNISED
Pearv's prior claims, and that he would theretore
abandon his scheme simultaneously Sacnson
former financial hacker, Mr.. Harmswortn. oneieH
Pearv the use OF the ship Windward' IN WHICH
Jackson had carried on his Work.