Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-26
A Boom in Polar Exploration.

AS the opportunities for large geo.
graphical discovery in the temperate
and hot zones have-at length been eX-
hausted, there is now every prospect
that attention will be centered as never
before upon the polar regions. The
last great fruits of exploration must
come from the frigid zones. and all
signs point to a large renewal OF effor,
to solve the remaining mysteries of
the Arctic and Antarctic areas.
King Leopold of Belgium was behind
the extraordinary action taken at the
International Congress held at Mons
III September last. 1t was at his sua-
gestiOn that the polar explorers Lc-
cointe and Arctowski of the Belgica
expedition, Prof. Nordenskjold of the
Swedish and Messrs, Bruce and Shack
Teton of the two British Antarctic eX-
petitions met to consider Il scheme for
International polar expeditions. The
result was that the congress adopted
a resolution favoring the establish
ment of an International Association
for Polar Exploration.
To carry out this purpose King Leo
pold will call a congress to meet in
Belgium this year. The naval officers
and polar explorers of all nations will
be invited to participate. The ques-
ton of international cooperation to
reach both poles and to extend our
knowledge of the polar world in all
branches of science will be before the
congress. 1t is believed that the good
offices of the leading nations may be
enlisted in the despatch of interna-
tional expeditions. for whose support
an organized effort will be made to
raise large sums of money. 1t was
announced at the Mons congress that
the government of Belgium would
substantially contribute to the fitting
out of these parties.
This scheme is similar to that of the
Weyprecht programme of 1881, when
nearly all the leading nations Coop
Grated in the establishment of circum-
polar stations for scientific investiga-
ton in the Arctic.
If the project is successful it is eX-
pected not only that polar research will
be greatly stimulated, but also that the
earlier publication of the scientific re-
suits will be secured.
Meanwhile the present year in the
field promises to yield most interest
ing results. If all has gone well with
Peary he will start next month on his
attempt to reach the pole by sledge
ErichSen will leave Copenhagen IN
June to undertake the survey of the
unknown northeast coast of Greenland
If possible he will also pass through
Peary Channel to the west coast and
thus complete the survey. begun by
Peary, of the north coast of the great
island
NIikkclsen will reach this county
next week with funds provided and
comrades selected for his coming work
in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska,
which he will search for new islands.
Harrison is already on the edge of this
unknown area and expects in a few
months to be sledging over the sea
ice. Rasmussen is preparing for his
long journey along the whole northern
coast of America and into Siberia to
study the wanderings of the Esauimau
tribes from Asia to Greenland and
Labrador. CharcOt is preparing his
second expedition to the Antarctic, a,.u
it is hoped that he will solve the prob
lem whether Graham Land is a prom
ontory of the Antarctic continent or a
large island; and three expeditions
that will try to reach the north pole
by balloon are now actually in pre-
paration. Their leaders are Wellman
OF this country; Edgar Wilson. the
British aeronaut. and MarclIac of
Paris. WHO believes he can build an
airship that will be adapted for polar
lconditions.-New York Sun.