The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-10-19

take, for he wrote that his party climb
ed to the top Of this landmark during
a violent snowstorm. which effectu-
ally prevented any great geographi-
cal acquisition.
The Belgica then turned back to
more southerly waters To reveal 10
miles of unknown shore line is given
to very few explorers nowadays, and
the fact that the work was done in a
few weeks shows that luck is very
important element in polar expIora-
ton.
The east coast Of Greenland has
nov been explored from Cape Fare
well at the southern end of the island
to the Belgica's farthest, distance
Of over 400 miles in 2 straight line
and far greater following the shore
line.
What Is needed now is careful
exploration Of the shore itself be-
tween Shannon island and Independ-
ence bay, with special view to the
discovery OF Eskimo relics, if there are
any on the northeast coast Of Green
land. It was not known that Eskimos
ever lived On the east coast until
about eighty years ago. when Scores
BY found numerous huts and fire.
places near Scoresby sound. Other
relics have since been found along
the coast, but the east Greenland ma
tives were never seen by explorers till
Holm discovered them in the fall Of
1884 and lived with them for about a
year.
He found them in little settlements
at Angmagsalik and near 1t, and they
numbered about 500 souls. They had
never heard Of their relatives on the
west coast or Of the great world be-
yond. How did they reach the east
coast? It must have been ages ago,
for they have no tradition Of their mi
grafton or of natives Of their own
blood whom they left behind
The prevailing opinion is that they
reached their present habitat by trav-
cling around the north end of Green
land If this is true the ruins OF
their houses and other evidences Of
their travels will doubtless be reveal
ed when the northeast coast is care
fully explored.
A well known Danish explorer nam
ed Erichsen, who lived among the
Smith sound natives of the west coast
for ten mUaLhs. is now trying to organ
ize an expedition to explore this east
coast. His plan is to cross the inland
ice cap with a party of Smith sount
natives and thoroughly study the
northeast coast from the land side
Here. If anywhere" he says "knowl-
edge may be obtained of the very in
teresting migrations Of the Eskimos
and large mammals from west TO
east"
The only Danish station on the east
coast Is at Angmagsalik, where a trad
ing post was opened in 1894 The ma
terial condition Of the isolated natives
has been much improved and they
have also been benehcially influenced
By the Danish mission established
among them several years ago. IN
1899 seven persons were baptized. the
first converts to the Christian religion
on the east coast of Greenland.
In later years the ice conditions
along the east coast have been more
favorable for navigation than they
were known to be before. The Danish
vessel that leaves Copenhagen once
year for the new colony has never
failed to reach her destination. The
success Of the Duke Of Orleans this
year cannot fan to stimulate explora-
tion on this side Of Greenland. and #
viii not be surprising If the east coast
is thoroughly well mapped within the
next few years.-Cyrus c. Adams in
New York Times.