Evening journal., 1909-09-17
North Pole controversx.


relative to the north poe, but there are
experiences that creep into every mans
life which, if taken notice of, will afford
him knowledge along some particular line
or concerning some particular place or
people.
But the controversy now current con-
cerning the discovery Of the pole is be-
wldering. Indeed. the uneducated might
learn to believe that there are a great
many poles Instancing this Mr.. Peary
claims to have nailed the flag to the pole,
and claims further that he left the flag
flying there. Then again, Peary presented
another pole to the President and Captain
Bartlett telegraphed from Labrador I'VE
have the old pole on board" Then, be-
sides, what of the poe that DR.. Cook dis
covered. These declarations are employed
metaphorically but there is a practical side
to the controversy.
We find public sentiment divided as to
Cook and Peary the preponderance being
on Cooks side, principally made up from
those of the lower walks Of life, while the
American aristocracy lines up behind
Peary much the same as it did on the
side Of Admiral Sampson and among
these none are more blatant or more
worthy of condemnation than Admin al
Melville.
My memory carries me back TO the
month Of March, 1879, a month memoir
able in my life and a month which mark
ed the finish of thirty-eight other men who
sailed away to the Arctic with me. was
sailor lad at the time of my arrival in
the port of San Francisco. the preceding
February-a mere lad in years but rating
as able seaman-and like all sailors l had
a good time while the money lasted and
then shipped on board the wha.eship
Mount Wailaston, bound for a cruise in
the Arctic Captain Nye commanding.
1t appears to me that important events
transpire during our lives without arOus-
ing particular notice at the time, but, as IS
often tile case, leave a silvery wake be-
hind which sometimes stir US to the quick
in after days. And so it was in relation
to my connection with the Mount Wal
laston.
1t should be said, so that this narrative
win be the better understood, that whale
, ships carry from three to hve boats to be
! lowered when wha es are sighted, each
; manned by an officer a boatsteerer Char
]
: Mount Wallaston the writer pulled the
after mid-shp oar in the Captains boat
CThe starboard quarter boat. This boat
Is not always lowered for whales, but is
always used when the skipper wishes tc
go ashore or visit another vessel
While the Mount Wallaston lay in the
harbor Of San Francisco preparing for the
, voyage north tho exp oring YES el Jean
cite fitted out for a voyage Of discovery in
the Arctic seas, Lieutenant DeLong COM
manding, and here an interesting event
: occurred which may bear on the present
pole discovery question. The now Admiral
Melville was then chief engineer and as.
signed to the jeanette.
1t SO happened that Lieutenant DeLone
was advised to assemble the captains OF
the whaling vessels so that he m. ght be
benefited by their advice concerning ths
ice in the Arctic, and 1 pulled an oar in
the boat that carried Captain Nye to thil
conference. What was SAID and done there
do not know, but did ovefhaar Cap a I
r Nye say to several Of his officers. upor
his return TO the Mount Wal'aston 81
fee. for DeLong. He is a fine fellow and
no commands a fine ship, but she vii
never return from the North Captain
Nye then entered into a discussion Il
his chief mate and his part OF the con
versation caused me to believe that Che
Engineer Melville was naughty. dicta
tor.al and well nigh insubordinate.
! Well, the cruel, relentless pack engul et
e the jeanette and the Mount Wa a.tol
e likewise, and when 1 returned to cisii.za
- ]
Eskimos did, and learned Of the sad fat
OF DeLong and the Jeanette 1 cou.d no
shake from my mind the uncomplinentar.
, remarks Captain Nye made conce. IN
Chief Engineer Melville, and this is one o
: the blue-blooded Americans that woul,
besmlrch the character of such a man a
Dr. Cook, because, forsooth, the homo
Of discovering the pole'was snatched from
. one Of his ilk.
In relation to the evidence required o
DR.. Cook, as to the authenticity Of hi
{ ella m TO having discovered the poe, on
D exposure OF a camera focused on the DO.
star overhead, provided the Photographic
stood on the pole) would show the Po'a
star as the central figure on the plate o
Aim with Regulus, in Leo, and Vega, Il
]
p ten degrees above the horizon during tn
y month OF April. Any student Of astronom,
a should know this, and II the doctor ha
G such evidence he can tell Peary TO ceas
o his chickering's and como homo to enjo
e the honor he so richly deserved but VIII G
p was snatched from him by man whor
IS the world win not accept as an Ananial
But why all this hubbub should b
n kicked up over a barren floating field O
Z ice. for the sake Of science or otherwise
- Is beyond my comprehension. espec ally !
y view Of the fact that countless millior
/ OF territory worth spending money on lie
within the reach of men.
= In conclusion would say Peary
l. not always needed TO do things. soms
T. times fate re.entlessly hurls men into ur
m known and forbidding regions, even a
AZ they struggle to remain away, and reveal
e secrets worthy Of conception whether "
would accept them or not.
Very respectfully,
- Verba Lesta-