New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-19

senteds and are trying to promote a national ex-
pediton. Never much scientific data OBJ
tanned in any part OF the polar regions Is 10y the
south polar expeditions. Belgian British German
and Norwegian. OF the last fifteen years. Shacke-
toms expedition, from which he returned last
spring, the brilliant OF them all. because
he saw more Antarctic territory than any others
and came almost within sight OF the South Pole
from his elevation. the distance being IL statute
miles. This has aroused great interest IN the FUR
Their exploration OF the Antarctic continent which
has been proven TO exist The thorough exploration
OF the Antarctic means an examination OF a vast
body OF land whose coasts on all Sides seem 70 be
partly determined. while the is the prevailing
feature Of the Arctic. Pearys soundings between
Grant Land and the pole certainly indicate there is
no land OF great extent beyond Grant Land and
Greenland IN the American Arctic just as Nansen
has shown the great probability that no large land
mass remains 10 be discovered in the Asian and
European segments OF the Arctic between the New
Siberia Islands and Franz Joseph Land 70 the pole.
THE climatic conditions. on the whole. are more
unfavorabe In the south than In the north The
Antarctic winds In some seasons are terrific. and
naturally. over great land mass the cold is more
intense than over q area Just as low tent
peratuTes found IN the Arctic Ia the Antare-
tic. but the average annual temperature Is lower IN
the south. on the other hand explorers In the
Antarctic are sure OF their foundation. which is
land Instead Of shifting ice that threatens 20 en-
gulf the northern explorer The surface is smoother
land and better for travel: there are no foes
and hummocks. However. IN Ross Sea. east Of
South Victoria Land. and other seas. the condi-
lions IN the south are about the same as those
the north The length OF the season Is the same.
though the southern winter is the northern summer.
It is a much greater distance from London or New
York 70 the southern axis than 10 the North Pole
ACHIEVEMENTS OF WILKES.
"The United States did q great deal OF early
work in the Antarctic Seventy years ago LIeuten-
ant Wilkes saw much OF the periphery OF the Ant
arctic continent discovering bits OF land which
undoubtedly projecting parts OF H. His discoveries
disc-edited in Europe. but II has been proved
that the lands ne named exist, with exception.
Since an American made the greatest contribution
10 the establishment Of the fact that Antarctic
continent exists and especially since his work was
long dscTedited abroad. IL is hitting that American
effort should be enlisted n completing the great
work which he began. The scientific possibilities
are important though greater than ia the north.
for the reason that we cannot fully understand
phenomena that may study ia our own temper
ate zone under present conditions unless We know
the regime and operation OF the same phenomena in
the polar regions.
'"The conditions al the South Pole land instead
OF a sea Of shifting ice would permit permanent
scientific station 10 be established there. Scotland
and Argentina have maintained scientific stations In
the South Orkneys for several years CONNER
ciaily Shackleton has found what seems 90 be vast
bodies Of coal near the South Pole. We don't know
how these deposits be made available. beyond
anordng fuel for the scientific station NJ the pole.
The renewal Of Antarctic enterprise has resulted IA
the discovery Of new whaling grounds in the South
shetlands and elsewhere, which tho Norweglans and