Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-20
PEARI,S RETURN.

With the return of the Peary expedition
is ente, ed on the record of mans strug-
pie to conquer the Northern frozen zone
another failure to reach the Pole. After
some thirteen years OF experience In
arctic exploration, ard notwithstanding
he systematic preparations for his last
arnpaign he had made during his previous
.enturcs, Pcary had to report that he
aad been again bafiied, and that the OBJ
jcctive Of his quest still holds its secret.
Fortunately however he has no grew
some story to tell-no narrative of hors
.ors such as are interviewer with the
history of the Jeanette and the Greeley
expeditions. Save that some of his Es-
cuilno attendants fell victims TO an cpl
denies; no lives We're lost and, barring
the disagreement between Peary and DR..
Dicdrick, the seriousness of which has
not been disclosed. the work Of the party
seems to have been prosecuted in the ut
most harmony. In this respect, as we'll
as in results. the expedition presents
striking contrast to the Ziegler-Baldwin
Easco
But while Peary did not succeed in
reaching the Pole. he did succeed in push
Ing farther north than any other Aneri-
can had ever done. He did succeed in
nttaining the highest latitude ever at
tanned on this side Of the globe and in
planting his feet upon land on which no
white man had ever stood before. Lock
wood and Brainard of the Inflated
Greeley expedition pushed to SS' %.
peary reached $40 IL, which brought him
within s43 geographical miles of the Pole.
Here. owing to the ice conditions. he
found 1t impossible to proceed. This
leaves the blue Ribbon of Arctic pene-
tration with thu Duke Of Abrnzzi. who
made Sc 80, thus eclipsing Eansen's
achievement. The latter's highest point
was SGF IL. Although disappointed, Peary
Gy no means regards as impracticable
the attainment Of the Pole by the route
he followed. Quite the contrary, He ex-
presses confidence that it can be reached
by an adeQuately-fi out expedition,
which will establish its winter quarters
at SIS north, and proceed on the general
line of campaigning he has pursued. What
he has accomplished not only in demon
stratiHg how Arctic expeditions should be
equipped and conducted, SO as to safe
guard against suffering and death, but
IL overcoming obstacles which had proved
:nsurmountahie to old-time explorers.
would seem TO Justify the faith that is
In him. But there are many who hold
that the most practical way OF advancing
ON the Pole is disclosed in the experience
of Naasen in tbs Franz and that it will
be reached by repetition OF his ven
ture. Tho Fran dr!ftsd to 81 &, then
back to S3a S.. where Manson. accom-
panied by Johansen, left her for his
dash Subsequently. the currents car
rlcd the ship north again to So So.
much higher latitude than that at which
Peary would establish winter quarters.
1t is argued that under certain cond.-
tions believed TO exist at times in the
icc-locked area, a ship would probably
drift still further north: but even If the
Fram's highest drift were not exceeded.
"a dashing party from about IS 81, would
stand better chance Of success than II
It had started from headquarters in a
lower latitude. Reduction Of the dis
lance to be covered would. it is urged.
count Immensely,
However, be this as 1t may. and despite
the long list Of failures i Is as certain
AZ anything human can be that by some.
,ynutc The Pole win be reached Man will
ma ~ solve the great nysterys q the ex-8