Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-09
TITLE INVALID
United States Unlikely to AS
sert Sovereignty.
OCCUPATION is REQUISITE
Settlement Impracticable and Condi-
tons Forbidding.
PEARY BACK IN WASHINGTON
Here to Stay-Will Take Him Six
Months to Finish His Book
on Exploration.

Although the officials Of the State De-
partment studiously avoid committing
themselves on the subject, 1t is an open
secret that they have given no serious
consideration to Commander Peary's
Geographic report that he formally took
possession Of the entire region adjacent
to the north pole April "in the name
OF the President of the United States"
That report was received at the State
Department September IL. So far as
known it. has not been the subject Of
any official action.
In reporting his claim, Commander
Peary added that he had left a record
and United States flag in possession
OF the pole. According to international
usage title to newly discovered terri
tory can only be legally established by
occupation.
settlement Impracticable.
Regardless Of the rights in the matter
IL Is hardly likely that any nation will
attempt to establish settlements with tho
usual paraphernalia Of government in the
polar region. Officials agree that II
would be foolish, IL not futile, to wransle
over national title to a region which only
tnree civ1iixed men profess ever to have
VISITED and which may never be visited
II the pole be in an open Sea. beyond
the ordinary territorial distance from
the nearest land. even though it be on
held OF Ice which might be grounded
upon the bottom of that sea. IL is held
that no power can claim title to II. for
IL Is part of the high seas. But If IL
De Wlthin three miles Of the shore or
even. II 1t be on dry land, practically
the same Is to be said, because no pow
nnflr
discovery by actual occupation
Such confirmation by occupation is
held to be necessary for the establish
nent Of title. Possession and occupa-
ton must be effected by an authorize
tive expedition sent thither for that
purpose. OF course. the very nature of
the case 'precludes the possibility that
such occupation will ever be made.
Other Arctic Titles.
some arctic lands. such as Greenland.
Iceland, Lapland. and some of the lands
north OF the Hudson bay. But actual
possession has been taken Of them and
they have been occupied and utilized.
On the other hand, Spitzbergen.
though various nationalities have Wed
In discovering and exploring 1t. remains
to this day a no mans land. Sweden
and Norway, before their separation, at
tempted to claim 1t. but were opposed
by Russia. and withdrew their preten-
sion. Now Norway. whose actual inter-
est in 1t is probably greatest. has CALI
ed foA an international conference
which shall establish its permanent
status.
daughter. has returned to Washington
and will make this city his home for the
winter. He refused to comment upon the
action of the University of Copenhagen
National Geographic Society to be pres
ent when the Cook records are examined
Anticipates Naval Duty.
II am still an officer in the navy" said
Commander Peary, although I am now
on special duty for the coast and geodet-
ic survey, and as soon as I am relieved
from this duty I am subject to the fur
Their orders Of the Navy Department 1
have no means of knowing at this time
what these orders will he.
1T will take considerable time to get
my reports ready for the coast and geo.
detic survey. and 1 am going to work
on them as soon as 1 get settled here.
1T Is possible that the photographic
division Of the Navy Department may de-
sire some OF my reports II go. they will
be submitted.
Il called at the Navy Department: Sec
rotary Meyer was not in the city. l saw
Assistant Secretary Winthrop"
Commander Peary will not make a bust
ness of delivering lectures about the
country .Salthough he will speak in several
large cities where he has been invited
to do so. At present his only engage
ments are with the National Geographic
Society Friday, and a dinner tomorrow
at the Peary Arcties Club in New York
city.
He said that II would probably take him
six months to complete the book which
he intends to write about his recent trip
to the pole.