The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-10
sANGUINE OF SUCCESS.
Wellman Tells Why He Braves Dam
gers Of the Arctic.
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN PREPARED.


of the maritime and adventurous energies
of man are devoted to the making OF war
and money. Science and exploration con-
tinue to claim their share of the worlds
attention. Long before this expedition re-
turns to the haunts Of mon the war with
Spain will be over, and II ,perchance this
effort 20 reach the pole results In success
there can be no doubt that the achieve
ment will receive all proper recognition.
At any rate, that is the calculation of the
organizer and leader of the expedition,
who happens to be the writer OF these dis
patches.
Inasmuch as this dispatch IL the last
shall write for your readers for year and
half at least and 10 In sonse farewell
to those who have been patient enough to
follow the letters with my name signed
to them have accepted the invitation of
the editor to write few lines about my
self.
Why do want to try for the pole? Why
leave home and family and most de-
lightful profession to brave the dangers
and endure the discomforts of the far
north? These are questions often asked,
and they are natural and pertinent que
ries. Twill answer with frankness.
First.-Upon the theory that this earth
was given him for his home. that IL Is his
duty to know and master all of IL, and
that 1t is beneath his dignity to leave any
considerable part Of its surface unexplored,
man set out long time ago to reach the
north pole, and nothing is more certain
than that he will persist in the effort till
he Sball have succeeded.
Second.--About the quest for the pole,
therefore, have grown up q history, . liter
ature, a sentiment, friendly rivalry be-
tween nations and thus II Is the world
stands ready to give distinction and re-
ward to him who achieves the feat regard
less Of its utilitarian value, which may be
trifling, or of its service to science, which
may be very great.
Two American Explorers.
Third.--It is my belief, based upon ex-
perienoe In tho arctios and a close study Of
all the difficulties In the way and the
means which may be adopted for overcom-
ing them, that know how the pole may
be reached So believing, IL seems to me to
be my duty to make the effort even at con-
siderable sacrifice In this way 1t happens
that this Is the thing want to do, and to
those Of US who are led by our natures to
try to bend the fates to our will. instead of
drifting along in their current, doing what
one wants to do In the best thing In life.
Whether or not the pole is to be reached
during the closing years Of the present
century depends upon two men, both
Americans. Lieutenant Peary Is to try
from the north of Greenland, from Franz
Josef Land. He IL gallant, fearless, ex-
perienced man, and the prize may fall to
him. He certainly has my good wishes
for his success. II do not get the pole,
there Is satisfaction in the thought that
another American may get 1t.
An italian to Follow Wellman.
The Prince Luigi, nephew Of the king
OF Italy, has announced his intention OF
going to Franz Joseph Land next year In
an effort to reach the pole. In other words,
he Is going to follow In my trail. Accord.
ing to the alleged code of ethics, the Prince
Luigi Is doing very naughty thing In
thus encroaching upon my Ice preserves,
and suppose should get excited about 10
and protest most vehemently. But do
neither. Somehow or other am unable
to raise any serious objections to the ap-
prearance of a royal rival In the frozen
field. Good taste might impel tho prince
to wait and leurn whether I succeed or
fail before setting out In my tracks, but
certainly shall not put up any sign, mo
Trespassing Allowed" or Keep on the
Grass" The prince is welcome to all he
gets out of IL, and shall be glad to have
him bring me the news OF the peace with
Spain and tho freedom OF Cuba.
Whether or not my effort is to be sue
cess or n failure only time will tell. At
this time almost every one else In the
world than myself believes it Will be a
failure. II did not have faith, of course
would not start. In this sort OF work q
man is compelled to plan as carefully as
possible, provide against all difficulties ex-
perience points out, receive every adyan-
tsge Of equipment and organization an
alert mind can suggest 60 into The field
determined to do the very best he can,
without recklessness or foolhardy hazard
of other mems lives and abide by tho con-
sequences, whatever tbey may be.
The Wellman polar expedition will sail
from Tromso, Norway, I'm the ice steamer
Fritjof, Juno 90. The oxpeditionnry party
will be composed Of four Americans and
four Norwegians, nearly oil of them cx-
pcrienced in arctic work. Scventy-flve
Siberian draft dogs will be taken aboard at
Archnngol, Russia. The Fritjof is expect
cd TO arrive nt Capo Flora, Franz-Josef
Land, eightlcth degree Of north latitude,
about Aug. 1. Herr Andree, tho polar
balloonist, may be found there, arctic eI-
perts agreeing that II still alivo the daring
pcronaut is probably In Franz-Josef Land.
When the Fritjof returns 70 Norway In
August or September, she may bring SEN
sntional news.
During the late summer and early au-
tumn six Of US hope TO reach q: leost ns
far north rs the eighty second parallel OF
latitude, there to throw up rude hut In
which To pass the four months of arctic
night living in large part upon the polar
bear and other game shot on the spot.
Just as soon ms the light OF tho sur re.
turns next spring wo are 10 se-out upon q
journey toward the pole, some boo Sec
graphical ipiles awny. Reaching the pole
by this dash campaign depends upon
whether or not we can travel nm average
Of about ten miles per dny and keep ever
lastingly nc 10 for moro than 100 days.
Az any rate, W. hope to be hack at Cape
Flora, on the southern coast of Franz-jo-
sef Land. by July next year. whether we