New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-14
PREVIOUS EXPLORERS

E5EFlUOo EhEIUhGAG.
Between siXty-fve and seventy years ago the
Southern Hemisphere was visited by a number
of explorers who added largely to the then ex-
listing store of information about antarctiCs.
Wilkes. IN American naval officer in 1910 made
q number Of observations to the southwestward
Of Australia. and n region which he inspected
al long range lowing to the embarrassment Of
the ice Uarrier) still bears his name many
charts. although Captain Scott has expressed
doubts as 10 the reality OF the land which
Wilkes thought he saw. To the eastward or
Wilkes Land, and nearly south Of New Zealand,
Sir James Ross also in 1910 discovered 4 won
derfully broad and deep indentation of the
coast. In honor Of his then recently crowned
queen he called the region lying along its west
ern shore Victoria Land" Shortly after tie
opening Of the following year he pushed into
what then seemed TO be the southern limit of
Ross Sea. and 10 TWO volcanoes which were ap-
parenuy on the continent Gn about latitude Io)
he gaze the names Erebus and Terror, after his
Own shius
More than half century elapsed before the
exceptional merits Of the route opened by Ross
were recognized. a Norwegian whaling captain.
Borchgrevink tried to effect a landing in VIC
toria Land In 1894 but failed. His vessel was
too small. -Four years later he set out a second
time with that object in view. He visited 1
bay Just north Of Cape Adare. where the general
trend 0f the coast changes from east ana west
10 north and south. He did not Invade ROSS
Sea but stayed al what was virtually its en-
trance and though he was land for several
months his explorations were confined TO the
immediate vicinity of his landing place. Had
he been better equipped for his audacous vent
IRE. he would have probably had a better story
10 tel. As il was. his achievement lent no
table stimulus 10 the plans for several "ther
ventures which were then under consideration.
In 1901 and 1902 no less than four European
expeditions To the Southern Hemisphere set sail
and either by mutual agreement or through
mere courtesy they chose different fields 81 ac-
tyity. Otto Nordenskjold. a nephe" OF the
explorer Of the same name. went TO Graham
Land nearly opposite Cape Horn, ana supple
nented the work done there four or five years
before by De Gerlache, Belgian. Bruce III the
Scotia pushed into Weddell Sea, 10 the south
eastward II South America. The German party
led by Dry galsk!, took the quadrant Whlch
:eached from the meridian at Greenwich 20 lon
RtUde 80 degrees east, and Captain Scott with
lie Discovery devoted himself 10 the section next
further 70 the eastward On many accounts the
British expedition achieved the most interesting
results. It's leader observed land TO the extreme
eastward II Ross sea, and named II al'er
Britains present -uler. His snip went llio
winter quarters near The volcanoes Erebus and
Terror which Scott found on an island.
With dogs and sIedges he beat Rosss "FaTthest
South by about 26o geographical miles, turning
northward from point in latitude 6Z:l', ne
made a number of other explorations and dis
most novel revelation has attracted little notice
A CLIFF OF MYSTERY.
TIE low Zee cliff which runs east and west in
latitude - does not represent land, apparently
but nearly level and possibly stationary mass
resembling 2 glacier 1t was over its surface
That Scott made HIS most notable sledge journey
ana not on The higher area 10 the westward
known Victoria Land How much nearer 10
The pole this ice covered strait or glacier extends
10 one knows. but ii offers inviting posslblil'ies
o. study 10 Tie geographer and favors ShacKie-
Ions ambition T.; surpass Scott's achievement.
The leader Of the new British expedition hopes
. get hts ship. the Nimrod. triiie nearer 10
The pole than Scott did, some time In February
winch corresponds 20 August In the NorIheFh
hemisphere, ami 10 establish a camp on inc zee
an appreciable distance 10 the southwark OF ms
fhip From that point he plans 10 MAKE ulpS
10 the eastward westward and southwark On
-" way home two years hence, ne Ii'eh"S
seFutnize the region where Wilkes 'houEn' i'
discovered land. and try 10 secure more definite
evidence than has vet been obtained reghraii's
uhe soundness Of the American explorer iii'eI
fhces There IS a prospect that many rnat'erS -
geographical ana historic importance "hlch d.
30" Involved in some uncertainty VIII ne 'lef''u
W o. the one~rvatio about 10 ne undcft@heii,
Ses,deE there VII fc tests o? hitherto uhtrie"
agencies. ard these alone VIII possess unique
Interest
tuinor has = that ArctoWsk. Belgian "ii".
VIII Or. !;ooR accompanied De Gerlache :"
5iahain Land ga 1891. expects 10 make a ii''
.lsf . tie Antarctic--this time % leane'
.eie - haze Dr. Cooks company. Both Hrc-
pskN 8nd Coos are enthusiastic neIieVerS III
~ e suitability oe TIE automobile for service ~
'Ae soutlera Hemisphere. Though fun de'i'