The San Francisco call., 1903-09-06
PEARY TO DASH
FOR NORTH POLE
Expedition Will Start
in July Of Next
Year.
President Roosevelt Gives
Explorer Assurance Of
Sympathy.

WASHINGTON, Sept. E-Commander
Robert E. Peary, United States navy the
well known Arctic explorer, Will make
another dash for the north pole Leave
Of absence for three years has been grant
ed him, with the permission or the fres-
ident, by Assistant Secretary or the Navy
Darling, and he has been assured or the
hearty sympathy Of both of these OF
ficials.
In his letter of application for leave OF
absence Commander Peary briehy out
lines his plans of action. In sultaole
ship built in one of our best shipyaros'
reinforced and strengthened TO the max
imum degree and fitted with American
engines, so that she may go as an eA-
ponent Of American skill and mechanical
ability" Commander Peary hopes to start
with his expedition about the 1st Of July
next
Upon arriving at the Whale Sound re-
gion he will take on board large num-
Der Of Eskimo and establish permanent
base at Cape Sabine. Thence he Will force
his way northward TO Grand Island
where he hopes to establish winter quar-
ters on the northern shore. As far as
practicable along the route he will es-
tablish caches. The following tebruary,
with the earliest returning light he Will
start due north over the polar pack with
a small light pioneer party and followed
b. large main party.
In his letter of application to Acting
Secretary Darling for leave OF absence
Commander Peary said
I should expect TO accomplish the distance to
the Aole and return in about 100 days or a little
more an average travel Of about ten miles a
day. Returning, 1 should break the ship out
late in the and return home
II ice conditions this year were such as to
prevent reaching the northern shore OF Grand
Island i should winter as Tar north as practl-
cable and orce the ship 10 the desired location
the following year. In this event the eNpedi-
tion 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 the Eskimos.
Commander Peary believes the advant-
ages of his plan and route are a fixed
= land base 100 miles nearer the pole thar
any other route: a 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 a vel
beaten line of communication and retrea
/ from winter quarters to comparatively
| low ATTITUDES, which is practicable at any
season Of the year.
J Acting Secretary Darling of the navy
who is a close student of Arctic work anc
I an enthusiastic believer in the ability o
I American pluck and daring to find th'
pole, says in his letter to Commands
Peary, granting him three years leave
of absence from April 1 next, that h'
1 thinks he is better equipped than any
/ other person in the country to undertake
I this work. He pays high compliment
I to Peary's courage and ability and con
cludes his letter with this admonition:
The attainment Of the pole should be you
I main object Nothing short will suffice. Th'
discovery OF the pole is all that remains Il
complete the map of the world That MAJ
: should be completed in our generation and BY
& our countryrnen. II II is claimed that the en-
/ terprise is fraught with danger and privation
I the anGwer is that geographical discovery In al
! ages has been purchased at the price of heroi
courage and noble sacrifices. Our national prid
/ is involved in the undertaking, and this de
psrtmcnt expects that you will accomplish you
] purpose ard bring further distinction TO ser
J vice of illustrious traditions.
In conclusion l am pleased to inform you tina
! the President Of the United States symp2thiZe
with your cause and approves the enterprise.
At an interview tonight Commando
/ Peary said that the expedition would b'
made under the auspices of the Peary
Arctic cub of New York, Of which Nor
ris K Jessup is president The clul
will finance the expedition to the extern
/ of $4,000. which is $4,000 more than the
cost of the last trip, which occupied foul
I yeaTc