New-York tribune., 1906-11-04
PEARYS BRAVE ACHIEVEMENT.

Mr.. Morris K. Jesup, the most influential sup
porter of Peary's Arctic ventures, probably ex
presses the universal sentiment of his fellow
countrymen when he eyinces disappointment
over the latest news from the explorer, though
rejoicing that he went so far north and came
home alive. Peary has handsomely eclipsed
the performances of Nansen and Cagni. By
reaching q point in latitude S7:06. he ap-
preached ffty-two geographical miles nearer
TO the destination which they all have sought
than did the Norwegian, and he beat the
Italians record by thirty four miles, or half
degree. Moreover. he added to the store of
existing knowledge regarding the northern
coast of Grant Land and seems to have dis
covered a tract of unknown extent still fur
ther to the westward of that island. It can
not be truly said that these things were not
worth doing. They We're. But they were only
incidental to another purpose-the discovery
whether there was land or water at the Pole
While Peary has magnifcently maintained
American honor. he did not accomplish bis real
mission.
Peary was favored on this occasion by the
possession Of a ship the like OF which vas
never before at his disposal He was thus en-
abled TO establish his winter quarters in
more eligible position than ever before-close
TO the SD parallel OF latitude. instead of 300
or $50 miles further south. The accomplish
ment Of that object in turn permitted him to
push out on the pack ice which covers the polar
sea in February, whereas he has hitherto been
delayed until March or April, when the firm
ness Of the ice sheet was impaired by the ad-
vance of spring. 1t was mainly due to the
splendid qualities Of the Roosevelt that his
sledges this year went d hundred and eighty
miles further north than they did in 1902, the
year IN which he made his best previous rec
ord. As III however ha
water again, as he always has in the past and
the delays which were thus caused reduced the
store of food for himself, his one companion
and his dogs 70 so low point that return to
Grant Land was imperatvely necessary.
In the story so briefly summarized in the tele-
gram from Peary 10 the secretary OF the clnb
which has backed him in several of his enter
prfses there is both encouragement and discour-
agement On the one hand, it is to be noticed
that Peary went more than half way from the
coast Of Grant Land to the Pole If il were
possible in the future 10 surpass this years
performance as much rs this years perform
ance surpasses that of four years. ago the
Pole would be reached. Again, the irmes{ ire
seems 10 have been the fuTthest north On the
other hand, the necessity for coping with gaps
in the ice seems 70 he unavoidable no matter
how early the start is made The use o4
sledges certainly ought to yield better results
in Peary's hands than in any one e!se's, for he
has unquestionably had more experience in
that art than any other living explorer. If the
method fails in his hands, therefore, 1t NAV he
doubted whether 1t deserves another trial
In some respects the airship promises TO he
more servicea5le than the vehicles on which
Peary relied No airship can succeed. however.
unless 1t possesses certain qualities. which
have been outlined by The Tribune so many
times already that further reference 10 them
at present is needless. 1t Is by no mans ,pr-
tain that Mr.. Wellman's craft will meet all
the requirements of the case or, for that mat
ter. whether Mr. Wellman IS really the man
for the job He has a glorious opportunity.
however, to demonstrate both his own fitness
and that of his flying machine, and it will he
his own fault If he does not make the most
of it He will apparently have the field all 10
himself next year