Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-08
NEW ARCTIC RESEARCH
DIR. NANSEN DESCRIBES A PRO-
JECTED EXPEDITION TO POLE.
The Explorer Tells Of His Experience
and Gives Encouragement to
Seekers Of the North.

From the London Chronicle.
Dr.. Fridtjof Nansen has just contributed
a highly interesting account of a forthcom-
ing polar expedition to the Christiania Nor
genbladet, from which we translate the fol-
lowing extracts: >'N
How many Of those who far from the
beaten track, shape their course by the I'M
erring magnetic needle have, during the
still night watch as they follow the oscilla-
tions of the compass, pondered over the
mysterious force which vet We know not.
but which is always there. turning the nee
dlepoint toward the north. ready to SHOW
the way to the traveller both by land and
sea? But this force becomes still more
mysterious to us when we realize that it is
steadily changing from year to year. both
in direction and strength. without our hav-
ing thus far been able to discover the
cause.
Long ago Arago could say: Nothing is
moro mysterious In the whole physical
world than the continual and universal
changes which take place In the magnetic
elements Of the earth'-and we know little
more about the matter to this day. Are
these changes to be attributed to unknown
alterations In the inner mass Of the earth?
Or are they, perhaps, due to cosmic causes.
changes in the sun? That we do not know.
Are these changes followed by alterations
in the magnetic poles themselyes2 We i'm
on the subject. for We must take observa-
lions of the poles themselves during pro-
longed periods. This only is certain. that
observations taken over the whole earth
have resulted In surprises in spite Of the
most learned calculations made beforehand.
Cruise of the Gjoa.
at is to lift corner of the veil which
hides this mystery-and nothing less-that
Capt. Road Amundsen has made his goal.
toward which he has already for years been
working with a patient energy and stead
fastness worthy of the importance of the
undertaking. From recent article by
Amundsen himself readers of the Morgen-
bladet will be aware of the main features
of the voyage upon which he will start next
spring in his tiny craft, the G1oa, along
with seven companions. A perilous jour
ney, say many. Too ambitious plans. with
such small means, say, perhaps. others. 1
think neither the one nor the other. The
undertaking is, indeed, nothing less than
to discover the magnetic north pole itself.
and there to carry out observations during
a series of yearS-that pole which James
Ross alone partly investigated In 1881.
Afterward Amundsen will endeavor to make
the Northwest Passage. which many
ships, during centuries. have tempted in
vain. Even though the task may seem a
gigantic one, 1t is my belief that the plans
are 50 well considered and the preparations
carried out SO carefully that there is a good
prospect Of the expedition proving a sue
cess. Capt. Amundsen Is one OF those who
have made the important discovery that
the success OF a polar voyage In great
measure depends on the preparations made
before start Is attempted"
Amundsen's Experience.
DR.. hansen then gives an account of Capt
Amundsen's career and Of his special prep
arations for the present expedition. His
first Intention was to use a Tromso sloop.
but he found sloop would not be sufficient
for his purpose. So Dr. Nansen continues:
He thereupon purchased In January.
1901. his arctic vessel the Gjoa. with which
he made five months tour to the Bering
sea and to the region between Spitzbergen
and the east coast OF Greenland. obtaining
during the journey valuable deep-sea b
servations. 1t was OF particular Importance
Greenland polar stream-the continuation OF
that which carried the Fran across The
polar discriminating at the same time a
series OF most interesting results. which are
not even yet fully worked out, but will con-
tribute their share Of fresh light on the
currents Of these seas. inasmuch as they
are more copious and carried out with more
previously available. Since that time
Amundsen has been steadily maturing his
and that with the thorough
ness which is characteristic OF him. The
ship has been fitted with petroleum en-
CINE and strengthened by internal supports,
and the coinmissariat question gone .rto
most carefully with Prof Torup.
Prospect Of Success.
s.And what are the prospects of successg
I think very good. The magnetic north