The San Francisco call., 1899-07-11
DUKE ABRUzz|
At ARCHANGEL
Ready for the Start to
Polar Regions.

| Special Cable to The Can and the New York
Herald. Copyrighted, 1S99 by James Cor
don Bennett.
ARCHANGEL, Russia, July 10-Un-
wonted animation prevails in Archangel
on account of the simultaneous presence
of two Princes-Grand Duke Vladimir and
the Duke of Abruzzi. Grand Duke Vladi
mir accompanied by General Nasmount
and Captain Bilaeff has Just opened at
Ekaterininsk a new port, to which great
Importance is attached. for maintaining
the fleet and mobiliZable during winter.
It is also of great commercial Importance
as depot for the hide trade with Siberia.
1t is situated at the extreme north of the
Russian possessions, where by a strange
freak of nature the gulf stream keeps the
water open during the winter, While the
more southern ports remain closed by ice.
Grand Duke Vladimir arrived at
o'clock in the morning on the steamer
Nicholas l, and bad magnificent recep-
ton. The weather was fire On the Quai
Duvina were all the high officials-Engle-
hart. the Governor; Prince GortSchakoff,
Vice Governor; Hoevelaken, Mayor; Kril-
itschevsky, Hide, Marquis de BeauTo'T, p,
Cointe de Gregueil and the whole of the
consular body. besides a great assemblage
of people, including mayors from the ut
termost ends of the province, which IS
larger than France and England together.
There were maneuvers in the country
outside OF town. The garrison was re
viewed by the Grand Duke, who com
manded with a most martial air. The
troops had meals served to them in camp
The other Prince. the Duke of Abruzzi,
attended service this morning at the
Catholic church to implore divine, protec-
ton on his expedition to the pole. The
Norwegian crew and Italian Alpine
guides mostly manly looking figures,
were present. and created much interest
before facing their rough campaign in
the polar sOlitudes. The congregation in
cluded Count Oldofredei and M. Rignon,
who were sent specially TO Archangel by
the Queen of Italy, and Colonel Nasallt
Rocca.
the type of the Norwegian three-master,
is painted brown, and will be ready to
sail tomorrow. She carries provisions for
several years and is loaded with cases of
cod fur garments OF Eskimo pattern,
material for balloons, which are intended
to tighten the burden of transport, and
many sleighs.
which live exclusively on fish. They have
been chosen from the best breeding ken
nels in the government of Tobolsk, and
cost G000 rubles
one mouse gray dog. which was pre-
sented by DR.. NanSen and was born on
board the Fran, is looked upon as a mas
cot. The Prince expects to land a part of
his provisions in three weeks time al
Cape Flora, and then to reconnoiter
northwest TO Franz Josef Land, which
has not yet been explored: He hopes to
meet the Wellman expedition, which has
been on the ice without ship for more
than year and he will perhaps try to
reach the pole.
The arrangement of the Princes cabin
is practical. There is no portfolio, and on
account of the small space everything is
devoted to science. A contract was made
in Paris while the Duke was in Rome,
two years ago. for the manufacture of
special instruments of precision in Paris.
London and Vienna. The Prince himself
has made preparations for ascending the
highest point in Alaska. Each sleigh will
have two chronOmeters, in order TO. be
able always to keep the same sidereal po-
sition during the winter in spite of the
drifting ice, and to insure final meeting
Groups of people gathered round the
ship. W which was dressed with flags, and
even here at the customary advance post
of those starting on polar expeditions
there was much excitement at the bold
attempt and courageous -abnegation
of this charming son of the house of
Savoy.