Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-09-11
TRY AGAIN FOR NORTH POLE
r, e, PEARY OF U. s. NAVY GETS
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Three Years Duration-His Letter of
Application for Leave Outlined His
PIan-Receives Sympathy for the
Cause From President Roosevelt
Expedition Under Peary Club.

Commander Robert E. Peary, U. S
NJ, the well known Arctic explorer,
will make another dash for the North
pole. Leave of absence for three years
has been granted him. with the per-
mission of the president, by Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Darling, and
he has the hearty sympathy OF both
these officials.
In his letter Of application for the
leave of absence, Commander Peary
briefly outlines his plans of action. In
a suitable ship, built in one of our
best ship yards, reinforced and
strengthened to the maximum degree
and fitted with American engines, so
that she may go north as an exponent
of American skill and mechanical abil-
ity," Commander Peary hopes to start
with his expedition about the first Of
July next. Upon arriving at the Whale
Sound region he will take permanent
base at Cape Sabine. There he will
force his way northward to Grant ISL
and where he hopes to establish win
ter quarters on the northern shore.
AS far as practicable along the route
he will establish caches. The follow
ing February, with the earliest re-
turning light, he will start due north
over the polar pack with a small, light
pioneer party and followed by large
main party.
Peary's Plans.
In his letter of application to Act
ing Secretary Darling for leave of alb
sence, Commander Peary says:
II should expect to accomplish the
distance to the pole and return in
average travel of about ten miles a
day. Returning. I should break the
ship out late in the season and return
home.
IF ice conditions this year were
such as to prevent reaching the north
ern shore of Grant island, should
winter as far north as practicable and
then force the ship to the desired To-
cation the following year. In this
event the expedition would be gone
two years."
Distinctive features of Commander
Peary's plan are the use of individual
sledges, with comparatively light
loads, drawn by dogs; the adoption of
Eskimo methods and costume and the
fullest utilization of the Eskimos.
Commander Peary believes the ad-
vantages of his plan and route are: A
fixed land base 100 miles nearer the
pole than any other route; more
rigid ice pack extending further pole
ward than is found on the opposite
side of the pole. wider land base on
which to retreat, and a well beaten
line Of communication and retreat
from winter quarters to comparatively
low attitudes, which is practicable at
any season Of the year.
Acting Secretary Of the Navy OAR
ling, who is close student of Arctic
work and an enthusiastic believer in
the ability of American pluck and dar
ing to find the pole, says in his letter
to Commander Peary granting him
three years leave of absence from
April l next that he thinks he is bet
ter equipped than any other person in
the country to undertake this work.
He pays high compliment to Mr..
Peary's courage and ability, and con.
cludes his letter with this admonition:
1.-THE attainment of the pole should
be your main object. Nothing short
will suffice. The discovery of the
pole is all that remains to complete
the map of the world. That map
should be completed in our genera
ton and by our countrymen. If it is
claimed that the enterprise is fraught
with danger and privation, the answer
is that geographical discovery in all
ages has been purchased at the price
of heroic courage and noble sacrifices
Our national pride is involved in the
undertaking, and this department ex.
poets that you will accomplish your
purpose and bring further distinction
to service of illustrious traditions.
"In conclusion, am pleased to in
form you that the president Of the
United States sympathizes with youl
cause and approves the enterprise"
Club Will Finance It.
In an interview Commander Pear,
said that the expedition would b,
made under the auspices of the Pear,
Arctic club. The club will finance tn,
expedition to the extent of S150,O0C
which is $4,000 more than the cos
of the last trip, which occupied fou