New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-08
AN ANTARCTIC PRoBLEK.

At least two projects for exploration in the
northern hemisphere will command popular
interest this year, and perhaps next. Com
mander Peary's and Mr.. Wellman's plans are
too we'll known TO call for specific mention
here. Captain Mikklesen, n Dane, will continue
the campaign begun in 1905, with view to
finding out whether or not there is land IN
the Arctic Ocean north Of Alaska. Captain
Erchsen, one Of Mikkesens fellow country
men, landed in Greenland last year for tho
purpose OF completing the survey OF yet I'M
charted portion OF the northeastern coast OF
that island, and the Duke of Orleans announces
his intention Of seeking news OF the latters
success and extending relief TO Eriehsen II nee.
essary.
few weeks ago there were indications that
q fresh expedition 20 the Antarctic continent
would leave England next summer under the
leadership Of Mr. Shackleton, an associate Of
Captain Scott Eve years ago. and there Is u
prospect that another venture will be made In
the Same hemisphere by Mr.. Arctowskl. who
has recently sought the necessary support in
Antwerp. This explorer was q member OF the
Belgian expedition Of 1s0S-'09, which operated
TO the southwark and southwestward OF Cape
Horn, and he purposes TO begin where De Ger
lache's inquiries left or and devote himself TO
n region bordering on the Pacific and as yet
little known.
By far the deepest and perhaps the most re-
markabe indentatiOn Of the Antarctic cOnti-
nent was found by Ross more than half a cen
fury ago, In the vicinity Of Australia and New
Zealand. He pushed his ships into 1t as far
as the 18th parallel OF latitude. and discovered
and named the volcanoes Erebus and Terror.
He was convinced that further progress was
made impossible by stretch of coast running
nearly east and west. Well, so It was for
Oh; b,AG IN 4kok
beyond the edge Of the ice barrier. which had
a vertical face two hundred or three hundred
feet high, was a surface resembling that OF a
glacier. 1t was on this that he made his boldest
push In sledges toward the pole (to latitude
So 10 skirting the coast OF Victoria Land,
which here runs north and south and forms the
western boundary OF what is called the Ross
Sea. Scott succeeded In getting his own vessel
over near what seemed 20 be the opposite shore,
three hundred or four hundred miles to the east
ward, and named the land which he observed
there after King Edward VII.
How much further south this remarkable
bay or strait reaches is a profoundly interest
ing problem. Under the most favorable cir.
cumstances 1t may never be navigable beyond
the point where the discovery went into win
ter quarters, but it apparently offers much the
most practicable route for sledges and auto
mobiles to the pole. Since Mr. ShackletOn will
approach the Ross Sea by way of the Indian
Ocean, 1t may be presumed that he will follow
the coast Of Victoria Land pretty closely when
he temporarily abandOns his ship and resorts
to other means OF transportation. If Mr. Arc
towski, who would approach from the Pacific,
fully executes his present purpose, he will visit
King Edward VII Land and complete the work
left unfinished by Captain Scott. He, too, evil
IDENTIFY wants 10 reach the pole, and he has con-
sldered the feasibility OF using an automobile
for the last stage Of his journey Even If his
principal ambition were not realized, he might
be able TO supplement in a large measure the
work already done in that quarter, COnsidera-
lions of international courtesy may. restrain
him from invading the field simultaneously
with Mr.. ShackletOn, but the world would well
come anything he found It possible to do with
propriety.