New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
MORE ARCTIC RESEARCH.
THE EXPEDITION TO ELLEsMERE LAND.
DR. LEOPOLD KANN's PLANS FOR STUDYING AT
MosPHER1c ELEcTRc1TY-HE MAY
YOrN.


JOIN PEARY.
ithaca. " Y. June Il (SpeciaD.-The expedi-
don which DR. Leopold Kann and his party are
soon to make 10 Ellesmere Land. in connection
with the United States Arctic Geological Survey.
PROMISES TO be Of great interest and fruitful Of
results Of scientific value. DR.. Kann goes mainly
for the purpose of studying the phenomena of
atmospheric electricity. a force which is proba-
bly, responsible for familiar heat light
ming" aurora boreas. etc II cannot be studied
successfully in this latitude. on account OF the
vapor in the air; but in the Far North the con-
ditions are altogether favorable. the vapor be-
ing all frozen, and the air therefore dry. Fur
thernore the electric currents there are not
impeded in their progress by any trees or any
OF the monuments Of civilization. the country
being altogether waste DR.. Kann is at
work upon some electrometers. by which when
nerfected. he hopes 10 make a series OF accurate
measurements OF the electric currents OF that
latitude for the purpose of demonstrating If
possible the connection between atmospheric
electricity and the rotation OF the earth on its
axis.
Incidentally. DR. Kann hopes to explore a part
OF Ellesmere Land and learn something about
IT'S size and coast line The northern coast OF
Greenland az least be guessed at and
Il is certain that Greenland is island; but
little is known of the great country Of Ellesmere
land 10 the west of Greenland Is il an ISL
and? Or. Kann is inclined TO think So and
hopes TO procure some further data on the ques-
ZION. He will also. opportunity offers. study
the geology OF the country. especially the action
OF glaciers. concerning which he has had sew
eral conferences with Professor Ralph s. Tarr
Of the Department Of Geology of Cornell who
visited South Greenland few years ago. Dr.
ofs ako NINA NJ
geological collections which will be of value
Little or nothing is az present known of the
fora Of Ellesmere Land
HOW HE HOPES TO REACH THE NORTH
POLE
Dr.. Kann will be accompanied by DR.. Robert
Stein. head Of the United States Arctic Geo
logical Survey at Washington and by Mr.
Warn1bath. Of Boston, an expert taxidermist
The party will sail about July !. and will go TO
Cane Sabine where they will build a hut and
spend the winter In the spring when the con-
dition OF the ice permits they Will go north In
their kayaks and with their dogs and continue
their work All Of the party are good shots'
and expect to he able to keep themselves sup
Piled with fresh meat. since there are various
lee birds in abundance. 1t is probable that MI
Warmbath will return at ~ END or the nrsl
year with the collections.
Dr. Kann has still more ambitious plans IN
view After two years Of work on this expedl-
ZION he proposes to join Peary and have another
NV after that goal Of so many daring travellers
one is tempted TO say, that undiscovered
country from whose bourne no traveller returns
the North Pole. 1t is now an accepted fact
that there is no open polar about the POle'
no unmistakable indications Of such sea nave
aver been found. There is. however, probably
a sea Of ice: certain II is that there Is con-
slant current Of ice drifting down the east shore
and ND the west shore OF Greenland; and one
reason for the Ill success Of Nansen and other
explorers has been that they have approachea
the Pole from a point where the DRIFT would
Inevitably carry them away from the goal IN
atead Of toward IT, DR. Kann believes that eX-
niorers viii succeed in reaching the Pole If they
% I'M on the other side taking advantage or
currents which drive them toward the Pole He
Is anxious TO he in the party which snail put
this theory TO the test
DR. KANN's QUALIFICATIONS.
Dr Kann is an energetic and enthusiastic
Young man. and Is well prepared for the work
he has undertaken He is expert mountain
climber. having spent many years OF his life In
the Tyrol and Swiss Alps. and having climbed
nearly all the more important OF the latter IN
Guiding the MatterhOrn. He Is wei educated
TIe studied four years in the pubic schools OF
GERMANY after which ne entered the gymna-
SUM where he took eight years OF Latln anu
six Of Greek passing his matura or university
entrance examinations with honors ne lhen
entered the army, where ne served LOT one va
IN the light artillery. his horse being furnlshed
nv the Government as a reward for his success
In winning hOnors in the matura. Beng ex-
cused from the other two years or the army
service requirement he entered the OhINersttS
NJ Vienna where he pursued studies IN the
Sacultv OF philosophy winning his Doctors de-
gree in 1898 and also travelling 1elIo"shlp
from the Academy Of Science or vienna ABOUT
sIx months ago he came 20 America and mas
since been studying physics ana cheIlIstIy ~ III
and has been elected 10 the honorary scientific
society of Sigma Xxi.