Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-05-12
Peary's Plans.
Portland Advertiser

Robert E. Peary has his plans made
for his next attempt to capture the
North Pole. He needs $4,000 to COM
plete the financing OF the expedition and
expresses the belief that In some way
the money will be provided. Much has
been done to make the dash to the north
possibility. The Roosevelt has been
provided with two new boilers and is
now better ship than she was when she
first turned her PROV poleward three
years ago. That expedition gave the
intrepid commander new fund Of In
formation on which to draw in making
plans for the next campaign with the
Ice and the snow. he found, for In
stance, that the Ice between the northern
shore OF this continent and the pole is
constantly moving to the eastward and
in his coming trip across this ice will al
low for this drift. He also found what
he believes to be permanent lead or
open strip Of water one hundred miles
north of the northernmost land in
America. He thinks that he can make
the start on his final Dash not from the
land itself but from the shore Of this
river among the Ice fields. That means
virtually the saving Of one hundred
miles when 1t comes to final test OF
strength.
Commander Peary does not believe In
the latest wrinkles in Arctic exploration.
He has no faith in touring cars, balloons,
and flying machines as means of reach
ing the pole. He intimates that some
day it may be possible to fly to the pole,
but il Is evident that he thinks the first
man to reach the goal will get there on
foot and accompanied by dogs and
Esquimaux. The search for the pole
means to him piece of highly system
affixed and very hard work in which he
will be assisted by the experience accu-
INFLATED in his previous attempts. While
engaged in the effort to reach the pole
he expects to be able at the same time to
do great deal of work of scientific
value. For instance, there is a little
stretch of the coast of northern Green.
land which has not been explored and
Peary thinks he can make sort OF
weekend excursion to this unknown
summer resort. Far to the west and
many miles north Of the main land
there is piece of supposedly soli6
earth to which has been given the name
Croker land but about which nothing Is
known. So jaunt to this untraveled
region is on the programme. And then
too, nobody knows how deep the water
is between the northernmost land and
the North Pole, so Peary will take alonf
some light sounding apparatus ane
heave the lead, so to speak, as he fares
poleward. -,
And what good will come of it ALI
ask the pessimists. It is not at all
probable that there will be any materia
advantage. There is nobody living al
the pole and 80 there is no chance fol
the establishment of new trade relations
Neither is it likely that there is a golt
mine in the vicinity or that the ice trus
would care to 60 there for it's supply
But there is the honest pride in achieve
ment, there is the addition of valuable In
formation to the worlds stock of knowl
edge, and for Americans there is the dis
tinction of being the nation whose Sol
found way to solve a problem which
has baffled mankind for centuries. Thes'
things are worth while even If they cos
many dollars which will never return
and are accompanied by hardship ant
peril. So it is to be hoped that Pear!
will get his $4,000 and that his next at
tempt will result in the unfurling of tn
American flag at the pole.