The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-30
PfARY IS OPTIMISTIC
ARCTIC EXPLORER SAYS THE
NORTH POLE CAN BE REACHED.
He Believes the Much-Sought Goal
Can Be Attained from the Head
of Smith Sound.
AN APPEAL TO AMERICANS
To WIN THE GREATEST GEOGRAPH-
ICAL PRIZE REMAINING.
Eternal Fame and Honor Equal to
that Won by Columbus Awaiting
AN APPEAL TO AMERICANS
TO WIN THE GREATEST GEOGRAPH-
ICAL PRIZE REMAINING.
Eternal Fame and Honor Equal to
that Won by Columbus Awaiting
the Man Who Reaches the Pole.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-Lieut. Robert
E. Peary, the Arctic explorer, delivered an
address tonight before the National Geo.
graphical Society on the subject of Arctic
exploration. After discussing explorations
Of the past Mr.. Peary, speaking of the
future. said: 'In spite of the amount of
work which has been done in the north
Polar regions during the past few years
the work is not complete. The Archipelago
of Franz Josef Land has, it is true been
delimited, and its northern terminus re-
moved from the field of uncertainty. The
lands north of the North American archl-
peIago and west of Ellesmere Land have also
been delimited as to their northern coasts.
The northern terminus of the Greenland
archipelago has been rounded and America
holds the record for the most northerly land
i'm the world, the northern point OF the larg-
est of the north polar land groups. But
there are still several gaps to be hned De-
fore north polar work can be considered
as finished. And the head or the smith
so,ind gateway to the pole Is the central
noint from which TO close this work 1t
Is the noint from which can be reached and
aa,arn,;ned that stretch of still unknown
coast on the eastern shore OF Greenland
reaching from Cape Bismarck 10 cape Tar,
ish; the point from when can , pe S =
and determined the inter ramincatlon OF
the great ford systems or northern Green,
land: the point from which can De reacheu
and determined the gap in the coastIhe on
the west coast OF Grinnell Lana between All I
rich's farthest and Sverdrups fartheSt, lNe
point from which the practlcaliy InhhoT W u
land along the eastern side Oh hehheu!
and Robson channels can De Ieacheu, 9liu
the point from which the pore itseh 0Sii
and il will be reached.
ar NAV seem to indicate overconndence
m state boldly that the pole can be reacned'
and vet IL is a fact, even though the struS
gle for IL has been going on unsuccesstuily
Sor Years and years. Each time We nave
co,,s a little nearer, each time we nave
learned a little more, and say 10 you mere
to-night that IL is not an impoSsiplnty
that ii can be done; that IL is no more ui .,
cuTt than many of the great projects wmch
we see being pushed to completion every
Joy and which require money. persistence.
hard work and some ability TO bring 10 1uii
fruition. - . .ho
nronar eouipment and the proper expert
ence and can start freSh from the honlh.
ern coast of Grinnell Land with the eariies'
returning light in FEBRUARY Will no-a
nriza that the earth has to oner, prize
that ranks with the prize when columbus
won. and will win for himself and MS coun-
h,,,.an life exists upon the globe. Granted
this shall we let others win the prize
within the past five years the United
States leaped TO the 'front.' aihunS o.e s ,,,
| wealth startle the world TO-DAY. Cur IN
| fluence In diplomacy was never SO sreaL
| our men of science hold the a re hsshs ~
percentage OF effectiveness. our yachls
srvtr race after race from the highest for
eign talent II there are any otner prizes