New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-29
BALDWIN EXPLAINS FAILURE.
Mr.. Ziegler Gives Out Letter, with State
ment That It Was Not Believed.

THE Brooklyn Eagle" yesterday published a let
ter written by Evelyn Briggs Baldwin Decem-
Der S, 1902 to William Ziegler. TO explain the
failure of first Ziegler Arctic expedition with
the statement that Mr.. ZiegIer had decided that
the letter to be believed in view OF the
statements of other members Of the expedition,
which statements published IN The Eagle
on Sunday. Parts Of Mr. Baldwin's letter follow:
With regard TO my attempt 10 return TO Norway
from Camp Zegler at the close of September 1901.
and the hiring Of eight men to remain in Franz
pies Of n the 50 expedit6n and to
prosecute certain work as enumerated IN my letter
Ivered to Messrs- Werner and Lefingweu. whom
1 had placed in charge Of the party, I beg leave
to call your attention TO The following records and
particulars
First. the following extracts from The Daily
Narrative" which in the case Of my death would
have come immediately into your possession, win
make plain that we endeaVored to force the
America northward at late date, and that we
Until I nq hearty every hope of esfablishi2g station
at a favorable point northward OF Camp Ziegler
outlook. or crows nest" with Pilot Arnesen from
which placa we were able to observe the conditions
of the ice for a radius Of about ten miles, whereas
from the bridge only about three miles ahead could
Under date of Thursday, September 13 1901.
recorded anchor having been dropped close to shore
free of ice with fair weather, we began at once
the work Of disGharg1rg portion ion o OF the cargo
pemmican. about half the quantity taken from the
foioWed By 167 sacks ds575 pounds Of coTnmsa
% sacks q tonsl Of walrus meat cut into small
on Wednesday. September %. The Daily Mar
To-day assembled seven OF the eight parties
who are 10 remain here, in the back cabin and
announced TO them my decision TO accept Of their
pronered services in prosecuting certain work
which I am to outline for them to do after the
departure OF the America. Those present were
Messrs Werner NJ. D; Leffngwell SeitZ, NJ ..
Barnard Vinyard. Rilliet and 10th. I also stated
that I would name DR.. Werner and Mr.. LefingwelI
to take charge Of both East and West Camp Zieg-
Ter and TO superintend the work which 1 should
outline TO them, and bespoke for them the hearty
cooperation OF all.
Il also stated to them that far as they were
concerned or myself either. that In remaining here
thew severed their connection with the Baldwin,
Ziegler Polar Expedition such. I did not con-
slider IL certain that the expedition would be re-
organized in the manner upon return TO
Norway at this time. and that in remaining here
RELYING upon my personal effort TO return them TO
civilization To all this each agreed. and my con-
tracts with them will be worded according Iy.
'-This do in Justice to Mr.. Ztegler do not
wish to bind him to anything which may be dis
pleasing in view Of the great expenses TO which
II is hut lust for me that had IL been pos
sible for me secured the services OF relab
natives or those not at all connected with the ex-
pAdItion that most likely I would have arranged
with them. rather than young men connected with
the expedition whom I had known only for q few
weeks and that only on board ship
Another reason for attempting TO return was. II
POSSIBLE. % the expense OF sending q
supply steamer TO Franz Josef Land the following
wear Moreover. did not know but that you might
send second supply steamer to the station on
the east coast Of Greenland. and this desired TO
forestaII as we'll as learn definitely whether or
not he BeIgica had been successful in establishing
a station upon that coast