Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-08


preciative of the opportunities AFFORDED
by this occasion, is peculiarly grateful that
you have consented to favor us by your
presence. On behalf of that society l
offer you a hearty welcome to our lano
and to our CITY,.
Message to the President.
The congress next directed that tele-
gram of acknowledgment be sent to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. 1t was subsequently
framed and sent. as follows:
1.-The President: The eighth international
gee graphic congress, now in session in
Washington, returns hearty thanks for your
welcome presented in the speech by your
representative, DR.. Walcott"
The telegram was signed by Commander
Peary as president and Mr.. Henry Gannett
as secretary of the congress.
The next feature eff the program was the
response of the foreign delegates. M. Henrl
Cordier, the distinguished delegate from
France, spoke on behalf of the government
representatives Prof. Albrecht Penck or
Austria spoke on behalf of the geograpnical
institutes, and Mr. H. Hule Oldham OF Eng
land spoke on behalf of the geographical
societies.
There was a second tumultuous greeting
for Commander Peary as he began the de-
livery of his address as president ~ ny
congress. AS he proceeded, and 1t was
seen his remarks were by no means or the
stereotyped pattern, but breathed OF per-
sonal interest and enthusiasm IN a most
important branch of geographical research,
the congress gave the closest attentloh "
what was said.
Welcomed to America.
For the first time America welcomes you
and is honored by your presence, ne De
gan. For the eighth time since It's incep-
ton the international geographic congress
meets to note the progress of discovery 10
listen to the results of the researches OF
it's fellows, and to suggest and plan ior
tie future.
Numbers of you meet here again. COM
rades of previous congresses. others nave
attended their last congress, ana survive
only in their works. Stanley and Nordehs-
kjold captains of the tropics and the arc
tic, have passed away in the quiet OF their
homes, their strenuous work ended years
ago. Daily and DuChaillu have died amid
the peaceful surroundings of civilization.
Andre and Toll have met their fate In the
stress of struggle with the icy north
Commander Peary reviewed briefly the
world happenings since the last con-
gress, referring to the changes In geog-
raphy, the formation of new republics ana
to the wipins out of two republics in South
Africa. The Trans-Siberian railroad was
spoken of as a world achievement The
establishment of wireless biography means
that the atmosphere of the world VIII soon
be throbbing with its messages.
Finally" he continued, there is that
vision of the centuries, that envious dream
of monarchs and ministers, since Gomara
quested for the Secret of the Strait 400
years ago, the iSthmian canal, the union of
the Atlantic and the Pacific, the grandest
project, the greatest engineering, financial
and diplomatic problem of the age.
"A fearless master hand has at a stroke
cut the Gordian tangle that has hitherto
defied the ablest statesmen and financiers
of the world and the nations today accept
without question the Panama canal as a
fact.
the world will pass freely from the eastern
sea to the western sea, travelling almost air
lines from port to port, at an enormous saw
ing of time and distance and expense. And
this great orient and Occident facing re-
public will rest content with coasts united
from Eastport to the Straits of Fuca."
Work of the Future.
After referring to the many geographic
achievements of the last decade, Command
er Peary said
What yet remains to be done? On this
can touch only in the briefest and broad
est way and from personal point of view.
The fact of my personal interest in the
polar field does not affect the truth of the
broad statement that there is no longer
any great pioneer work of geogra phical dis
coVery to be accomplished, except at the
aplces OF the earth, at the north and south
poles. Here alone large areas, guarded by
the sternest natural obstacles to be found
upon the face o' the earth, still Challenge
and defy conquest.
1t has been somewhat the fashion dur
ing the past few vears. in the interest and
enthusiasm excited for antarctic work to
rather decry further arctic work as not
likely to be of value, and to assume that
IN the antarctic region alone is there a
field for really valuable scientific investiga-
ton. l do not at all agree with this view
There are no 100000 square miles of the
earths surface that do not contain scien-.
N n g
TRAN the cost of securing it. Further than
this, l believe in doing the thing that has
been begun, and this is worth doing be-
fore shifting to new object. There is no
higher, purer field of international rivalry
than the struggle for the north pole. I'm
influenced by prospects of gain, by dreams
OF colonization, by land lust or politics. the
centurles-long struggle of the best and
way, Sweden, Holland, France Russia.
Italy and the United States has made this
Held of effort classic, almost sacred
commander Peary said he hoped the pres
ent congress would prove a great and last
ing stimulus to the interest of the Amer1-
can people in geographical and allied re-
search.
I'VE need vigorous stirring up" he con-
1nued, and awakening to the value or
such work. There is too much money de-
voted to schools and libraries and too little
to the field of exploration and research,
which furnishes the facts for instruction in
silC SSilooio anu IudleTidl with winch TO I'LL
the volumes in the libraries.
History of Explorations.
"The whole history of antarctic and arctic
exploration has been series Of eager, spas
modic efforts; attaining a greater or less
measure of success, accompanied in many
instances by semi-frantic and lavish rescue
expeditions, necessary in some Instances,
not necessary in others, followed by a re-
action and apathy till the training and ex-
perience gained is forgotten, and a new gen.
Grafton perhaps making another attempt
must begin all over again.
This is not the way. Such spasmodic
efforts will never do the work in the way
science today demands. There must be
continuous work extending over a series OF
years. The project should be taken up
with the understanding that it must be
carried on steadily for five or ten or more
years. 1t must be handled like any other
humdrum business proposition, it must be
Invested of any sensational tendency.
THE idea that soon as a party enters
the arctic antarctic circle preparations
must begin for the rescue must be thrown
to the winds. The loss of ship or a few
men must be discounted Such things
happen every day in the maritime world,
but it does not keep other ships and men
from continuing the same voyages
THE point l want to make is that the