The Washington times., 1903-10-25
Address Before National
Geographic Society on
Arctic Exploration.
PLEADS FOR ITS HELP
United States Should Not
Lose Honor and Prestige
of the Discovery.

Think of the satisfaction of lifting a
land out OF the heart of the Polar Sea
with the Stars and Stripes. Think Of
writing upon that land nome mama tc
endure indelibly until that day when
the heavens shall wither like a scroll
to show forever that we own The top Ct
the earth. Believe me there is room
yet In this prosaic world for Il new
sensation"
Such was the appeal. Commander Rob
ert e. Peary, the distinguished Arctic
explorer, made to the members Of The
National Geographic Society. whom he
addressed last night at the Cosmos
Club.
After reviewing the history Of Arctic
expeditions for the last 400 years Com
mander Peary mentioned his own plan
of approaching the pole by the Smith
Sound route and took issue with the
friends of Nansen who insist that he
exhausted the possibilities of Arctic ex-
ploration by approaching within $50
miles of the pole and discovering the
nature of the region in which the COW
eted pole lies.
"An Isolated Island Continent"
Commander Peary declared there is
much 20 be learned Of the North Pole.
and hinted that there may even be land
there which has never been approached
In discussing this subject he said:
The existence or land anywhere be-
tween the northern shore OF Grant Land
and the Pole would so greatly simplify
my work and reduce its difficulties that
do not let myself dwell upon it, But
the possibility is there; an isolated
island continent, an Arctic Atlantis.
with fauna and fora Of It's own. with
one day and one night in the year, lying
there through the binding days and
opaque nights of countless geologic ages.
as completely isolated from the world
as II It were on Mars
Commander Pearv expressed sttisfac-
ton At the praise newspapers have given
his proposed expedition. and mentioned
with pride The sympathy and assistance
which President Roosevelt and Assistant
Secretary Darling Of the Navy Depart
ment have given him in the prepara-
tion OF plans for his next attempt to
reach the North Pole.
No Government Aid.
He corrected the impression. which
seems 10 prevail. that the Government
IS To give him financial assistance. and
said members Of the Peary Arctic Club
have offered to subscribe TO the fund
for the expedition. but have not yet
given enough 10 make the expedition
possible. From $4,000 20 $4,000 is re-
quired and should be subscribed before
January l. 10 make II possible to begin
preparations for the hazardous trip
which Commander Peary hopes to start
on next summer
In asking the assistance of the men-
bers of the National Geographic Society
IN impressing upon the world the bene-
fits TO be derived from such an expedi-
tion. Commander Peary said the discov-
cry OF the North Pole is worth while on
account Of the valuable additions tc
science and geography it would make
possible. and as matter OF prestige it
would far exceed the cost OF explora-
ZION.
A Milestone in History.
'As a matter OF patriotism, based
upon the obligations of our manifest
destiny. the discovery OF the North Pole
& worth while said Mr.. Peary.
THE North American world segment is
our home our birthright. our destiny
The boundaries OF that segment are ths
Atlantic. and the Pacific: the Isthmus
and the Pole. We are full able, / think
10 take care OF the Atlantic and the
Pacific: we are negotiating for the
1StnfluSs II WoElQ De a shame Tor others
10 find and mark the Pole for US
Believe me the winning OF the North
Pole will be one Of the great mile stones
of history. like the discovery of the New
World by Columbus. and the conquest OF
the Old BY Alexander; and the man. OF
rhe association OF the community. or the
nation, that makes its discovery possi-
Bile. viii write its name TO be read and
known when perhaps the very civiliza-
ton OF today is forgotten.
Old Glory on the Poles.
six years ago we were sleeping con
tent within our borders. drowsy of oul
strength and possibilities. Since ther
we have embraced the earth. and now
right hand clasps left in the Far East
IN a grasp never TO be loosened. What Z
splendid feat for this great and wealthy
country II. having eirdled the earth. W.
might reach north and south. and plant
Old Glory on each pole How the i'm
aeination stirs at the thought!
INChUE MAN IlIMpc