New-York tribune., 1905-01-25
PERRY, GEOGRAPHER.
Summary of Recent Exploration and
Allied Work.

THE essential in geography" said Commander
Peary last evening. lis the study of the influence OF
environment and his response thereto"
This particular way OF stating the case was little
too philosophical to suit the speaker himself and
he not disposed 10 continue in the same vein.
but he went on to show that climate. location at
the mouth of the great rivers and nearness to the
shores OF an ocean have much to do with aping
the commercial and political destiny of nations.
The occasion OF these utterances was the annual
meeting of the American Geogra phical Society. in
Mendelssohn Hail. at which for the first time in
twelve years there a formal address by the
president. Commander Peary occupies that
post and at the end of the usual routine business
delivered carefully prepared and profuselv illus
trated lecture which in the main review of
recent geographical work throughout the world.
The talk full of instructive detail In spite of
the forbldding weather. the auditorium was packed
to the doors long before the meeting called to
order. testimony thus being offered to the popu-
larty OF the explorer. who has gone closer to the
Pole than any other who has attacked it from the
American side.
Beginning with the reclamation of waste lands,
which has been undertaken on a large scale by
the United States Geological Survey President
Peary referred briefly TO the adjustment of the
Alaska boundary dispute Dr. Cooks attempt 10
scale Mount Mckinley and to the expedition sent
out by the Dominion government to complete coast
survey in the North. The chief undertakings in
Europe deemed worthy of mention were Sir John
Murrays soundings in Scotch lakes and similar
work in Switzerland by Forel. In Asia the most
important development the establishment of
the ract that Everest. the highest mountain in the
world, is not identical with Gaurisankar. Allusou
was made to the Russian project for avoiding the
Dangers or the Northeast Passage by construct
ing a railway near the shores Of the Arctic Ocean
from the mouth of the Obi to Savorot. The dis
cussion OF Africa included mention of the surveys
OF transportation route from the Mediterranean
10 Lake Cnad, the French policy of doubling or
treolins the speed of camels by Tightening their
loads-a trick practised by Commander Peary him
sen with his dogs and sledges in the Arctic re-
EIonS-and British preparations for colonization in
me me attractlVe country lying eastward of Lake
Regarding the only really unknown areas left on
me map, the Arctic and Antarctic. the speaker
quoted DR.. Hugh Robert Mill as to the pressing
need of solving those mysteries. He added for
iehse ana spur to every geographer and geograph-
Ical assoclailon and to the man In each of us''-a
sentiment that was heartily applauded.
The lantern slides used by Commander Peary re-
produced both charts and photographs of scenery
ana people. Among the former were a trio show
ing tnree ways or looking at North America, map
nad been added. and a projection" Of the globe
viewed from the North Pole and inclosed by a
star SNAPPED boundary. The photographs were nu-
merouS and striking and some might well be called
try and East Africa excited much erthusiasm An
other graphic series revealed the salient picturesque
acquired possessions. The tour which Commander
Peary's audience took in imagination among these
lasted only few minutes, but II rivaled in interest
Fneas Foggs journey around the world,
President Peary and the other officers whose
terms expired this year. were reelected, except
that Archibald D. Russell and Archer NJ. Hunting
ton were chosen to NIL vacancies in the board of
councillors.