Arizona republican., 1903-09-06

"Ni mar Y 5tneT QaSn TOT the nortn pole. h3e of absence for three years hs ~p.n granted him, with the permissi 2 the president. by Assist ant Seer of the Navy Darling, and he has bvvu ussured of the hearty sym- pathy of both of these officials.
 In his letter of application for leave of absence Commander Peary briefly outlines his plan of action. In a suit able ship built in one of our best ship yards, reinforced and strengthened to the maximum degree. and fitted with American engineers "so that she may go north as an exponent of American skill and mechanical ability Com mander Peary hopes to start with his expedition about the first of July next. Upon arriving at the Whale Sound region he will take on board a large | number Of Eskimo and establish a per- l manent base at Cape Sabine. Thence he will force his way northwaEd to Grand Island, where he hopes to es- tablish winter quarters on the north shore. As far practicable along the l route he will establish caches. The fol- , lowing 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 a large main party.
 l In Iris letter of application. to Acting !! Secretary Darling for leave of absence. i Commander Peary said: "I should ex- pect to accomplish the distance to the pole and return in about 100 days or a 1;%@I i ten miles a day. Returning I should bring the ship out late ir the season 1 and return home. If ice conditions were such as to prevent reaching the north ern shore of Grand Island. I should i winter as far north as practicable and l force the ship to the desired location i 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 little loads drawn by dogs the adoption Of Eskimo methods and costumes and the fullest utilization of 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 farther poleward than is found on the opposite side of the pole. a wider land base on which to retreat and well-beaten line of communica tion and retreat from winter quarters to comparatively low attitudes, which is practicable at any season of the year.
 Acting Secretary Darling of the navy, who is close student of Arctic work and an enthusiastic believer in the ability of American pluck and daring 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 better equipped than any other person in the country to undertake this work. He pays a high compliment to Peary's courage and ability, and concludes his letter with this admonition: ''The at tainment of the pole should be your main object. Nothing short will suffice. The discovery of the pole is all that remains to complete a map of the world. That map should be completed in our generation and by our country men,.
 1 If it is claimed that the enterprise is fraught with danger and privation, the answer is that geogra phical dis covery in all ages has been purchased at the price of heroic courage and noble sacrifices. Our national pride is in volved in the undertaking and this de-
 partment expects that you will accom- plish your purpose and bring further distinction to a service of illustriOuS traditions.
 Tn conclusion 1 am pleased to in form you that the president of the
 United States sympathizes with your cause and approves the enterprise.