The times., 1899-02-07
ANTARTIC RESEARCH.
The Present Time Opportune for Ex-
pIOratiOu.
(From the London speetatoF.)

(From the London SpectatoF.)
Beyond all question. the present time IS
peculiarly Opportune for the prosecution
of antarctic research. For II must be
borne in mind that in that vast and al
most unknown area, more than twice the
size OF Europe, one expedition, however
well equipped, cannot in the nature OF
things hope to do more than settle a part
of the problems that silently await soiu-
tion. What is undoubtedly indicated as
the ideal treatment OF the antarctic ques-
tion is the establishment OF an lnterna-
tional Polar Commission such as attacked
arctic problems in 1857
A Gordon of expeditions surrounding the
southern polar regions, representative OF
all the great civilized powers, ana work
ing in harmony upon preconceived lines
toward definite ends would add more IN
one season to the needed data for the So
lution of the world problems involved than
isolated efforts could do in great many.
But since there are now Two separate par
ties at work in the antarctic, and thlrd
will 1t is hoped, shortly be on It's way
thither. there must be much valuable col
laboration, as well as many thousands oil
Simultaneous observations taken at FAR dis
tant points. This might have been the
case at the time of Captain Ross voyages,
when the French and American eXpedi-
tions were both in high southern lati-
tudes. But the opportunity was missed.
Since then science has made such Sisah
tic strides in the direction OF instrumental
equipment for such work. to say nothing
of the invaluable adjunct of steam, that
even with only four parties attacking the
problem on differing meridians the most
momentous results may be expected.
After all this planet of ours. under the
distance destroying touch of these latter
days has dwindled into very small place.
And it seems preposterous that region
like the antarctic should have been allow
ed to retain so long the secrets il undoubt-
edly holds. The illimtable sea Of stormy
waters that rolls its unhindered way right
around our globe, where no busy keel run
fies the wave or smoke of painting steam
ship mingles with the keen. pure air-how
strange that it should for so long have
been allowed TO maintain its primitive Sc
clusion, Those appalling barriers Of appar-
entity eternal ice, along which Ross sailed
for hundreds Of miles watching with an
indescrible fascination the balfied billows
hurting themselves against the glittering
cliffs that rose sheer from the sea for
hundreds OF fcCj-whay lies behind them ,
Those burning mountains Haming high
amid their frozen Businesses, and lighting
up the gloomy sky for many leagues
throughout the long, long winter night,
have they no story To tell. And. in spite
OF all belief TO the contrary. il may be thar
Il land fauna will he found, that some ami
mails may have been fitted Ia live In that
wonderful country. which. as far as il vet
known is absolutely sterile.
Many firmly believe that warm polar
region exists at the southern end of our
earths axis, but with recent light upon the
theory of warm arctic sea. within the
oncircIing barrier of ice there can be little
expectation that any such marvel Will 5e
found in the Antarctic