The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-13
A CRAZY Pnoyrcr.

It really seems to us that weilman's is the most utterly foolhardy under taking that any sane man ever engag- ed in. The unfortunate experience of Andree is so recent and his fate so horribly uncertain that we cannot un- derstand why another should tempt the same fate in the same manner. It Is true that great advance in the art of aerial navigation has been made since Andres went on what probably was his last venture. but even then what degree of certainty has been reached7 We are continually hearing of aeronauts coming to grief In vari- ous portions of the world, and there is a discouragins monotony in the re- ports. Either some part of the ma chine fails to work properly or else there occurs some unexpected obsta- cle in the atmosphere itself.
 It is not unreasonable to infer that these late failures were of machines constructed on the iatest.scientific ptin- ciples, and that care and skill were used, both in; their manufacture and management. It is also to be remem- bered that almost without exception these misadventures occurred on and over a civilized and inhabited land. They occurred in nearly all cases where human succor could be promptly oh- tained. where the climate is favorable and where there are no untoward con- ditions to threaten the adventurer.
 If such misfortunes occur within the bounds of civilization what may not be feared when the aeronaut cuts loose from humanity and hope of human aid and literally launches into the great unknown? It will be but a little time after he leaves his point of departure before he will be beyond the confines of civilization and out of touch with humanity and human beings. He will have no road to travel and no guido- posts to mark the way. He will not be. able to signal for help in time of need, nor can he look for assistance or sympathy If he comes to grief from any cause. In short, when he starts he will plunge into the unmapped and un- trodden fields of air and after that all Is uncertainty. He will have com pass to guide him, It Is true. but that is all
 And the most discouraging feature of the affair Is the absolute. Cimmer- Ian obscurity surrounding atmospheric conditions in the Polar regions. He does not and cannot know what he will encounter in the upper air. No one has been there and returned to tell of what the winds do. He may find a re- zion of calm atmosphere about the Pole or he may encounter storms and cyclones that will inevitably mean ruin. No human being can tell the direc- ton. velocity or power of the winds. and 80 no one can fairly predict what will happen to him If he should reach the desired point
 Inss the face of all this uncertainty, ana with full knowledge of past re- suits of aerial navigation. a bright. weli-informed and highly intelligent man is ready to brave the dangers and uncertainties of another attempt to reach the Pole through the air. Being free man and presumably in his right mind no one has right to restrain him or to prevent his setting forth when he is ready. He goes with a full knowledge of the periis and un- certainties of the venture and must be suffered to go to his doom, If fate so wills. We may hear of him after he leaves the confines of civilization but the chances are that we will not.