New-York tribune., 1909-09-18
NEW ANTARCTIC PROJECTS.

II is to be hoped that Captain Scott will Sc
cure such generous additions to the sum of
$4,000 already subscribed for his next Antarctic
venture that he will be able to start in 1910.
Both he and Lieutenant ShacketOn have so
fully demonstrated their fitness for polar work
that when either of them tries again there will
be a fine outlook for new record in the South
ern Hemisphere, matching that to which DR..
Cook and Commander Peary have laid claim at
the top of the earth Progress toward the
South Pole for the few hundred miles to be
traversed after an explorer leaves his ship is
greatly facilitated by the soidity of the surface
over which it is possible 10 advance. con-
tinent is infinitely more stable than an ocean
covered with ice which is likely at any moment
to split and develop impossible openings. More
over, Captain Scott believes that the possibilities
of the motor sled have not yet been fully tested.
and that a vehicle which has never been tried in
the Arctic regions will prove extremely ser
viceable in a quest like his.
The leader of the expedition which went out
in the Discovery in 1901 does not need to trouble
himself much about rivalry from this country.
If the Roosevelt should he fitted up for Antarc-
tic exploration 1t is unlikely that Commander
Peary would take command. He is reported to
have said that while he might tffer advice about
an American expedition in search OF the South
Pole he would not himself accompany it. What
is more. consistency will demand that he use
his influence to discourage the adoption by any
one else of the route which Captain Scott in
tends to take About twelve years ago 1t was
learned that Captain Sverdrup was planning to
start north the following summer and to begin
certain explorations on the coast OF Greenland.
When Commander Peary heard the report he
protested vigorously, believing that his own pre-
vious announcement of a similar purpose gave
him a prior right 10 the route he had selected.
He feared also that some Of his own resources,
his deposits of food and the friendly relations
which he had long cultivated with colony OF
Esquimaus might be utilized by his rival Cap
tain Sverdrup did not ConCede the justice of
these representations Neither did Dr. Nansen.
Captain Sverdrup's friend. Nevertheless. the
plan OF the Norwegian expedition was so modi-
fled TO limit its work to EIesmere Land. no
attempt being made TO reach the pole. Unless
Commander Pearys convictions have undergone
a radical change In the interval. he will not
sanction an intrusion on Captain Scott's pre-
serves.
That otherexpeditious which may be fitted out
while Captain Scott is in the field should select
routes differing from his is demanded II not by
courtesy, by the requirements Of geographical
research. A fine precedent was established
when in 1901 and 1902 four parties were dis
patched TO the Antarctic regions from Europe.
In accordance with an amicable understanding
reached in advance the British. German, Swed-
-ish and Scottish expeditions confined their ac-
tivitieS to separate "quadrants." Other ex-
plorers who are planning To visit Antarctca
would do well to follow this example