The Washington times., 1904-12-25
Pedry Discusses Plans
For Reaching the Pole
Explains Details of His Coming Trip 10 Arctic
Region-The Prize and Reward Await
ing the Discoverer.

Commander Robert E. Peary. who has
led four. expeditions in quest of the
North Pole, freely discussed his plans
In lecture in Brooklyn several evenings
ago. Among other things he said:
Il want the North Pole. What is
that? you ask. It is mathemattcally
the point in which the axis of the earth
cuts the earth's surface; where there is
but one direction; one day and one
night; where every wind that blows is
a south wind There is al the North
Pole 80 degrees of latitude, no longti-
tude and no time. There every heaven
iy body circles horizontally just beyond
the horizon.
Geographers' Last Prize.
THE North Pole is the last geographi-
cal prize which this earth has to offer
to man. Its value may not be directly
financial, but let me tell you that there
have already been 500. 000. 900 worth of
products taken from the Arctic region.
The principal value. once the North Pole
is discovered, is scientific and moral.
THE discovery of the pole will open
up vast geographical and scientific
features comprised in the enormous area
of 5000, 900 square miles of territory in
that great terra incognita. The most
adventurous explorers of all the nations
OF the earth have long sought the pole
The country that finally wins II will
secure a prize that can never be re-won
and never be surpassed.
Difficulties in the Way
.'If the Stars and Stripes should be
planted at the pole by an American,
there is not a man, woman, or child in
this country but would feel prouder Of
his land.
The attainment Of the pole would be
to us an object lesson of what can be
accomplished in the face of the greatest
odds. by persistence and indomitable
courage. L have been at work on this
project for twelve years now. The eX-
perience which l have gained during
that time has put two very powerful
factors in my hands.
These are the results derived from my
personal experiences in the Far North
and the adaptation of the Eskimo tribe
in polar explorations Since my return
home some two years ago 1 have been
endeavoring in every way to get back.
The Peary Arctic Club, incorporated
under the laws of the State of New
York, the object of which is to further
in securing funds for my next trip. 1
shall have the first Arctic ship ever
built on this hemisphere.
The ship is now under way. The con-
tract for its construction has been
signed. Money, however, must sIill be
raised. We lack sufficient funds still
for the equipment of the vessel This
is something that should interest every
American. and / do not believe that.
once they take. thought upon IL, they
win withhold their financial support.
Instead of sailing vessel, she Will be
a powerful steamer, with auxiliary san
equipment.
To Start Next Year.
Leaving New York on or about July
next, we viii pass through Davis
Straits, along the west coast of Green
land, through Baff1n Bay to Cape Sa-
bine. where We will hunt walrus SO as to
get supply of food for the dogs, secure
more Eskimo dogs, and establish a per-
manent base of supplies there Here
Will be left the least able-bodied of our
EskimOs. Upon our arrival at Cape Sa-
pine We will be about 500 miles distant
from the pole From there we will
travel north to the northerfy shore of
Grant Lard, which VIII bring us about
i20 miles from the pole. l expect to
reach there some time between Septem-
Der l and 10.
There my ship will be frozen in and
she will remain until late in the follow
ing July OF August With what little
light remains in the summer DAYS I