The sun., 1907-08-13
ACTIVITIES ~ THE ARCTIC

-
spitzberpen is one OF tho few Arctic lands
where no evidence has been discoverei
that II was ever inhabited by the EsqumauV
or other boresl tribes. In the progress of
events, however. IL seems destined in future
70 have a permanent white population. Il
was the home last winter OF 300 white r,er
sone OF them whalers and more coal
miners, who shArcd q common settlemcrr
on the shore OF deep indentation Of the
west coast. Nearly all of the isolate.
colony are natives OF Norway. not few or
whom had spent the two previous winter
on the edge OF their GOAL field. though tie
settlement last winter was nearly double ia
former size.
For the hpst tirne last winter women
lived In these snow covered huts. sharing
with their husbands the monotOny Of The
long night. The hardy peasant women
said that they would rather have some
semblance Of their family life among The
glaciers OF the frigid island than rema in
grass widowed in civilized Norway. so
their sphere Of domesticity was transferred
10 the rude huts on an Arctic shore. and no
doubt the bleak wintertime was more COM
Portable and pleasant because OF their pres
ence. There was no death in the little
colony, and the population was inoreasei
by the birth OF two babies.
The output of coal at these mines is in
creasing every year. and in 1905 several
shiploads were sent to Norway. The fish
ing industry 'is growing in importance also
since ships and crews resumed the practice,
discontinued more than two centuries ago.
OF remaining all winter in order to secure
cargoes Of oil early in the season.
The interesting project OF Knud Ras-
m,ssen and his twenty year old sister.
Wilhelmine, illustrates the fact that the
terrors OF Arctic travel have disappeared in
great measure now that all the conditions
and the means to meet them have been
thoroughly studied. Rasmussen is a DIM
ish ethnologist who. with his sister, has
been spending the winter at Umanak in
Danish Greenland. not far from the Island
OF Disco. II all has gone well we shall hear
next fall that the two started several months
ago on journey Of nearly a thousand miles
along the west coast TO Cape York and the
Smith Sound natives. among whom thsy
propose to live until Rasmussen has made
a thorough study Of these most isolated Of
human beings. They expect to live in the
native huts and establish relations Of mutual
friendliness and confidence with these most
northern inhabitants of the world 80 that
they may learn all phases Of their lives.
Rasmussen Is an expert in his line. and II
he Is able to complete his undertaking the
results will undoubtedly be valuable.
The route he will travel leads along or
near the coast Of Melville Bay. for many
years the longest unknown stretch OF the
west coast OF Greenland till Peary surveyed
a large part OF II.
Rasmussen's plans Of travel would have
been regarded few years ago as foolhardy,
and even now they appear very audacious
On the return journey he proposes 20 he
landed on Bafin Land. part OF the coast
OF which has not yet been outlined. and with
dog sledges to traverse the island. one OF
the largest in the world. from north TO south.
finally reaching the settlements in Labrador
or Ungava Bay in Hudson Strait.
The phases OF Arctic work mentioned
here have elements Of novelty and show
the influence OF the experience gained dur
ing the last fifteen years Of great activity in
far northern research.