New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-09
PE4RY,S PLEA FOR ARCTIC
Noted Scientists at Geographic Con-
gress-Criticism of Ziegler.
rERoM rHr rRInrNE RuREAu. ]

Washington, Sept. s-Representative scientists
from all parts Of the earth present this morn
ing at the George Washington University when
the opening session OF the eighth International
Geographic Congress was called 10 order by Com
mander Robert E. Peary. U. S. n, its president.
Washington. famous for its gatherings OF eminent
men, is Cor the first time entertaining body of
workers in geography. a science appealing more
closely to the people of all nations than perhaps
any other branch Of higher study, and scattered
through this audience were men whose achieve
ments have received worldwide recognition and
commentator.
The greeting given to Commander Peary as he
opened the congress was tribute not alone to his
popularity. but a cordial testimonial 10 MS Work
as an explorer, and his address, to which the con-
gress gave the closest attention. was by no means
OF the stereotyped pattern but indicated his great
personal interest in and enthusiasm for his chosen
field of geographical research
Professor c. D. Walcott, director OF the United
States Geographical Survey. welcomed the dele
gates and members OF the congress in the name OF
the President Of the United States. who is the
honorary president of the organization. In acknow-
edgment of the address the congress ordered the
following telegram sent to the President thanking
him heartily for the welcome;
Washington, September 1904
The eighth international Geographic Congress.
welcome presented in speech by your repEssen3atye'
II HENRI \ I!S0t GSANNErr. Secretary - 0'''-
Commander Peary in his address TO the congress.
after outlining numerous world happenings" as he
termed them since the last international! gathering
said. In part:
Finally there that vision of the centuries. that
Gomars guessed for the secret of the STRAIT fous
hundred years ago, the sthmian canal the union OF
the Atlantic and the Pacific the grandest project
the greatest engineering. financial and diplomatic
A fearless master hand has at stroke cut the
Gordian tangle that has hitherto defed the aoest
tons, to-day accept without question the Panama
few years hence and the commerce of the world
will pass freely from the eastern sea 10 the west
9 3Fp sea- near. s hG9 @ aGd ssnce
ana expense And this great orient and Occld ien5
o ssRSSq TO VIII The Strait d9n 6 u %t
x 3Py I 9f F oo a0 Ta so Shf Pos
Mr. Ziegler, with commendable. but. fear mis-
Poe via Franz josef Land, and news from his expe
dition may be received az any time; x,z,, ,oo-
graphical work is noM of necessity a work OF de-
' or tis css of work perhsps mo- Better example
can be given than that inausarated and carried
what l ' yet rem remains to be done? on this
touch only in the 6riefest and er9adest Ways H S
determine this question for itself during Its ses-
The fact Of my personal interest in the polar
field does not aeet the truth OF the 5I9ad nl91esr
work OF geographical discovery to he aecompnlshea;
except at the apiees OF the earth at the Nofh ana
It has been somewhat the fashion in the last few
years in the interest and enthusiasm excited for
Antarctio work 20 rather decTy further s ArGTe
WorS as not Ikey 70 oe o. any Ya1e rbere field
for really valuable scientific Investigation .,
no three million square miles of the earths surface
that do not coptatn scientific informsu9h OF NS'ue
Further than this. / believe in doing the thlng
f 6d bf Rssf new Object There IS no higher
purer Held OF international rivalry than the struggle
The south Pole. from practical ,geographical
s PSRt IT s sTeae g than nam the North Pole the
North Pole has place in history m ntersanre An ~
sentiment. II you viii. which the south Ioie VIII
vail note here but two other geographical fests
the explorer. The eliminating point OF Asia re-
North America remains yet untroddea By human
There is ample room for larger force Of active.
able workers in the field OF geograPnicai research
libraries and too little % ne heId q exploration
struction in the schools and material with which
10 MI the volumes in the libraries. Co...
aroused would enable US 70 take Up antarctic
sape 80 speRdG1 Segun snd FOR the
last four years. ond which ! Judge they VIII not not
OF their advice and experience carry II steadliy
The whole history OF Antarctic and Arctic ex
ploratiun has been series OF eager, spssmodlc eI-
feF sSans m many 2 nsances BY semi
frantic and lavish rescue expeditions necessary ia
some instances. not necessary In others; foHowed
by reaction and apathy Till the training and ex-
perlence gained are forgotten ana new
perhaps, making another attempt. must begin all
over again. The idea that as soon as n party en-
ters the Arctic Antarctic circle preparations
begin for rescue must be thrown 10 the WINDS
The loss OF a ship or few men must be dis
counted. -,
Such things happen every day in the maritime
world but IL does not keep other ships ana men
from continuing the same voyages Ihe ~orld Is
getting bigger and wealthier every day
There abundant means seeking new avenues
OF expenditure. II only they can be interested. II
geographical societies and scientific institutions
and the government would unite such a scheme OF
work could be carried on at an annual expense not
more than a quarter or nth OF thu annual IN
come of some of our great institutions
In closing. Commander Peary paid this tribute
to President Roosevelt:
I wish to express our obligations TO his excel
typical American, who stands at our head to-day;
the fearless. unhestatinR man of magnificently
welded thought and action, who has graciously
consented to head the congress
Professor OberheimeT, representing the Austrian
government. then read summary of the report OF
the executive committee OF the seventh Interna-
tional Geographic Congress held In Berlin in 1899.
Commander Peary introduced the Swiss Minister.
Mr.. Du Marthuray, who presented TO the congress
Professor Claparaede, who invited the congress on
behalf of the Swiss government. to hold its ninth
annual session in Geneva In 1893. Dr. Wrode
next recognized 10 extend invitation from the
Hungarian govenment for the congress to meet
Budapest in 1908.
Among the members OF the diplomatic corps pres
ent were the Chinese. Swiss and Turkish Min
listers, the first secretary OF the Russian En-
ton Mr. Hoki. One of the foreign delegates APP
peared In fun evening dress. including white gloves