New-York tribune., 1909-10-02
DECIDES AGAINST AMER1CA's CLAIM.
Tesla Dashes Polar Cup from Nations Lips
Trip by Dirigible Balloon Easy

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: According 10 a Washington dispatch in your
issue OF the 26th ultmo, the photographic Office OF
the Navy Department is preparing new map
with the North Pole as American territory. Evil
IDENTIFY. there is Moltke in the photographic office
Nevertheless. much will have to be done before
the claim is recognized by other nations Permit
me 10 point out p few reasons why it is, for the
time being, untenable:
First-"The CONQUEST OF the pole is an act
which partakes nothing of the nature Of discov-
cry conveying moran if not legal right TO ma
tioual possession. For centuries the position Of
that imaginary point was accurately determined,
hence its discovery is of the question. To
reach the pole is an achievement noteworthy only
because of the hardships and perils involved 1t
is but a sportsman's exploit, an athletic feat
which entities the performer 10 trophy or price,
and nothing more
second-The extent Of The polar region is stiH to
be defined That itself may become subject OF
unendug dispute
Third-The poa- region is located in the centre
of an ocean which, Oe it frozen or not, is interna-
tional property
Fourth-The claim is further weakened by the
fact that there en- be nothing but frozen in
that region, for the accumulation Of water there
is an unavoidable consequence Of physical laws
This is strikingly illustrated by the old planet
Mars where for the greater part Of the year
virtually all the ater Is held IN captivity the
poles.
FTfth-The measurements OF the explorers were
crude and uncertain. sextant with an artificial
horizon having been entirely depended upon 10
locate the pole. There are numerous obstacles to
accurate observation those regions, but the
chief is that the air filled with minute electri-
fed crystals Of ice which coIorings, mirages
and other effects of refraction. Under such con-
ditons an error of as much as fifty miles is pos
sibe.
Sixth-There are competent witnesses 10
verify the readings and observations When a
truth discovered is readily demonstrable witnesses
are unnecessary, but in this particular instance
when immediate repetition of the experience is I'M
possible and all traces are efaced, confederation
is indispensable.
It is very likely that under the circumstances
scientific institutions such as the Geographical
Society or Geodetic Survey will accept the re-
ports as nothing more than unconfr1ned theories.
especially since il must be plain to every member
that these up-to-date polar explorations have little
in common with the Unselfish efforts of the early-
pioneers, being rather undertakings Of daring men
attracted by adventure, hazard spirited enough to
take all sorts nf desperate risks for achieving
fame and popularity.
In view of the great popular interest which has
been intensified 70 a degree Of national feeling it
is necessary. IL this country desires to retain the
claim that another expedition be Immediately or
eaniZed either by popular subscription or apurc-
priation through Congress. The dirigible balloon
has been far perfected that the exploration OF
the polar regions by lis means is a simple and
easy task In Germany preparations. strongly
supported by the Emperor. have already been un-
dertaken. but 1t Is very probable that II this
country would signify once the intention 10 or
ganize such an expedition its wishes would be
respected, for II IS an uEdenIable fact that.
ever imperfect these recent attempts have been,
they go toward laying the foundation 20 a Just
national claim and certainly are a testimony 10
the wonderful energy and pluck Of Americans
New York, Oct !. l90. NIKOL.A TESLA.