The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-06-09
the icy cover In which a weak spo, has teen

the icy cover in which a weak spot has teen
The expedition will be supplied with the
best scientific apparatus. Though our ship
will be only half the size of Nansen's Fran,
We shall have plenty. of room. rs we won't
1t would indeed be n surprise to any Of
the various sledging expeditions over the
ice toward the Pole to suddenly have the
them: And It would certainly jar any ex-
peditfon about to grasp the nipple OF It's
eye to have that diving boat blow up the
Pole itself and come up FOR a breathing
space to crow over Its victory.
Manson and Abruxxi.
Norway and Italy have Joined hands. and
the Duke Of Abruzzi. are together to make
another effort. TO gain a point which they
have approached nearer than any other
men. The stout Stella Polare Will carry
these two foremost Arctic explorers back
into the frozen regions of the North. These
two men Of action talk little. but undertake
much. They have maintained a strict ST.
lence as to their plans. 20 but little can be
said now about their expedition. II is rea-
sonable. however. to suppose that they will
start on their race for the Pole from Franz
Josef Land. for from here Captain Cagni
and the other members OF the Duke Of
Abruzzi's party sledged northward until
they reached a point only 2il miles from
So Franz Josef Land may be the starting
point of a most ANA race. for 1t is
from here that Baldwin will also dash on
that the two expeditions may come In sight
of each other. and then the flags Of Nor
W ,b and u Idaly' s s1at shs ONE ON t hand a,S snd THAT mat
have a merry dance Of 1t. as they toss up
and down over Ice pack and tundra, and
scud far northward into regions. 1t Is to be
hoped, where no flag has ever flown before
Why Seek the Polef
But Is Is not for the mere sake OF win
ming a contest that the great nations Of the
earth are spending fortunes IN fitting out
polar expeditions. They are not sending out
their bravest and hardest men on any
Of the Pole will be . great geographical
feat. but It will also be a splendid contribu-
ton to the worlds storehouse Of knowi-
edge. The discoverer Of the Pole will gain
a multitude OF facts which every student
Of physical science awaits with eagerness.
There. for instance. is the problem of the
tiers into every computation of earth areas
or directions. Until the question Is settled
of the exact figure Of the earth no boundary
can shoals and dangerous rocks be plotted
with absolute accuracy. The most decisive
data concerning the ellipticlty Of the earth
astronomical observations at the Pole.
Both surveying and navigation can be
made absolutely accurate by the elimination
Of an error now existing. and which has al
WAYS to be taken into calculation When
we know the exact distance from tho eQua-
tor to the Pole by actual measurement tine
tables In nautical calculations can DO cor
rected and ell navigation will be safer.
boundary lines could also then be run with
absolute precision. Besides. all sorts OF
meteorological, tidal, magnetic observations.
etc, must be taken about the Pole. for a
knowledge Of such phenomena is necessary
to q full comprehension Of natures laws
and processes.
This is the ultimate aim Of science. ard
science Is the handmaiden OF progress.
Every victory won in her name means an
increase I'm the material comforts and intel
lectual pleasures OF mankind.