New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-09
ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.
TIE BRITISH PROJECT RECEIVES FRESH
IMPETUS
eOvERNMENT AID PROMISED AT lasted
GENTLY BEEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Tho situation Of Arctic exploration at the
present time may be summed up thus: Peary
Is supposed to have reached a point well up
the west coast of Greenland last summer. and
found a winter camp. from which he should now
be pushing toward the Pole, if all has gone well
with him. Sverdrup. who chased him up the
Smith Sound. expected to attempt the circum-
navigation OF Greenland the north. and to
come out on the east coast this summer. Well
man. an American who wintered in Franz
Josef Land. was TO try for the Pole this year.
as soon mild weather and abundant light
permitted. Several months will doubtless
eapse before anything is heard from these three
parties: but the Diana, commanded by captain
Samuel w. Bartlett. and carrying scientific
expedition led by Professor Libbey of Prince
ton. will start northward this month to obtain
information about Peary. if possible
Meantime the Duke Of Abruzzi, King Hum
bert's nephew. is on his way TO Franz JOSEF
Land to initiate Wellman. Captain Jackson. Of
the Alaska Geographical Society. has proposed
a scheme for exploring the region north Of
Behring Straits. but has not yet received any
special announcement This is the state of the
Frenchman Captain Bernier. also. The eXpe-
dition which has been sent from Denmark to
Iceland to study the aurora. and those Of the
Norwegians and Russians having similar puf-
poses in view. are not looking for the Pole
The same is true of the fisheries survey, organ
lied by Germany and Russia for operations III
the vicinity Of Spitzbergen, and Of NathoS' ;
hopeless hunt for Andr6e on the east coast OF
Greenland.
Attention is directed 70 :he Antarctic regions
lust now by The interview held a few days ago
between a lcputation Of English scientists ana
Nj Balfour. who represented on that occasion
the Prime Minister and the Chancellor 81 the
Exchequer Sir Clements Markham, president
Of the Royal Geographical Society. accompanied
by a number of notable people. preferred
formal request to the Government for pecuniary
aid for the expedition that the society proposes
to send out in 1901 For many years efforts
have been made 10 secure such assistance: Dut
the Government felt unable, for one reason or
another. to extend it. Hence an appeal was
made by Sir Clements last year to the patriotism
Of rich private individuals Germany was tax
ing stems TO explore the Antarctic 1t was point
ed ont and there was danger that the German
flag would be carried TO parts Of the earth
where the Union Jack would be conspicuous
for its absence
Thereupon Ilewellyn ". Longstaff offered to
contribute $4,000 toward the expedition. ana
IS the Royal Geographical Society had already
picked I'D SIS 900 in small subscriptions else
where the realization of Sir Ciementss dream
seemed imminent. To be sure. the society
wanted 100000. If possible: for II Wisheo 10
equip and send out two ships. But 1t was
thought that a minimum of S2JOoV might
suffice and that ship would be enough
With the matter in this shape the Royal leo
graphical Society approached the Government
again, ard this time with better luck MIR
Balfour indicated that he was able 10 hoio
ont some hope to the scientists. but he coud
mot smoothly the amount which the Government
,yould he able to give The amount asked for
is 100000.
T. is now decided that the expedition will not
start before the summer Of IDOL Inc FeSSe'
,n which the party will sail has not been built
That is 70 say. it is now the purpose OF the
managers Of the English enterprise to construct
= 80 shin modelled after the old Discovery,
etoan yhaIer that has done good service in the
,-o,ic brt is now too old for further use. Here
&. memorandum OF the estimated expense:
Chtn S,75Og0. fittings. $1,000. salaries. and
EOS for three years. 100000; PROVISIONS
e4oooo. outfits SO 900 coal and stores. S3OV'o'
Inc marty $4,000: contingencies, S10po'
:, To- NOT bean determined who will commahu
,t,o exredition. but it seems to be settled tha'
N,nsen will not The illustrious Swcde may
49,, g., an his own hook in 1902. though
- soite ~ Sir Clements Marlihams appeal TO
,,r.,tsb nride il seems that the English ana
l,or,,ans are going to work together IN very
olr,iat way Although the two expeditions VIII
J., entirely distinct they Will adjust their pans
- 10 the other in ways that have not yet
80, formally agreed upon. For instance. 1t Is
i,,la that the Germans will attack the Ant
,ic continent from side and the Eng
III from the other. Again, on their way 10
A.. ,,aces selected for landing, one may pro-