The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-24

CONTINUED from Page Onc.1
means of transportation. has turned
every aspirat from his goal. In the
ages OF the polar quest much has
+ been tried and much has been
learned. The most important lesson
is that civilized man. if he will sue
coed, must bend to the savage sim
plicity necessary.
THE problem belongs to modern
man, but for its execution we must
begin with the food and the means of
transportation of the wild man. Even
this must be reduced and simplified
to fit the new environment.
with due respect to the comph-
mentary elocuence of the chairman
and others. candor compels me to say
that the effort of getting to the pole
Is not one of physical endurance, nor
Is it fair to call it bravery; but
proper understanding of the needs of
the stomach and a knowledge OF the
limits of the brute force of the mo-
tive power, be that man or beast.
The Real Pathfnders.
our conquest was only possible with
the accumulated lessons of early ages
the pole were the early Danes, the
Dutch the English and the Norz
Italian and American explorers. win
these worthy forerunners we must
therefore share the good fruits which
your chairman has nut into my basket
"A similar obligation is due to the
twin Eskimo and the Indian, who were
important factors to US. The use Oh
pemmican and the snow shoe, Wnlch
makes the penetration of the Arctic
mystery barely possible has been Dor
rowed from the American Indian Inc
method of travel, the motive force ana
the native ingenuity, without Whlcn the
polar quest would be a hopeless task,
have been taken from the Eskimo. TO
savage man, therefore, who has no flag, |
we are bound to give a. part Of this
fruit.
ITO John R. Bradley-the man who
paid the bills-belongs at least one-half |
of this fruit
1.-THE Canadian government sent its |
expedition under Captain Bernler one
thousand miles out of its course TO heIp
us to it, l gladl-- pass the basket In
returning shiveled skin and withered
muscles were filled out at the expense
of Danish hospitality and last but not
least, the reception with open arms by
fellow explorers-to you and to all, be-
longs this basket of good things which
the chairman has placed on my Shout
ders.
Nothing would suit me better than
to tell you tonight the complete story
of our quest, but the very first tele-
gram gives more specific data than L
could hope to tell you in an after din
ner address. Therefore / shall devote
the allotted time to calculation of
certain phases of our adventures.
"One of the most remarkable charges
brought out is that I did not seek
Hcense to start for the pole.
Now, gentlemen to the large public that
may be a mystery, but you who know
will appreciate that no explorer can
start and say when he will reach the
role Many good men have tried before,
Ill have failed, all who understand the
problem know that success is but bare
" possible when every conceivable cir
,umStance is favorable. 1t is only nee
sssary to make announcement that an
ha rIx he mole tn start
IN undesirable bOmbast and flourish of
This I chose to escape. Mr..
John R. Bradley furnished the funds. /
shared the destiny of the expedition.
For the time being the business con-
eerned us only. L believed then as
believe now that If we succeeded there
would be time enough TO fly the BAN
ner of victory. You are here tonight;
Mr. Bradley is here and 1 am mere, we
have come together to celebrate that
victory.
Needed No License.
Now gentlemen. appeal to you as
explorers and as men. Am 1 bound
% appeal to anybody to any man. to
'or the pole?
Another criticism is the charge of
,ur insufficient equipment. We nave
net this. You know that we had every
possible aid to success in sledge travel
ng. A big ship is no advantage. An
army of white men who at best are
Iovices. Is a distinct handicap. while
| cumbersome luxury of equipment is
atal to progress. We chose to live a
ife as simple as that of Adams and
We forced the strands of human endur-
lBce to scientific limits. If you will
each the pole there is no other way. ,
For our simple needs Mr.. Bradley fur
-ished sufficient funds. We were not
with the usual aids to
pleasure and comfort. but 1 did not
tart for that purpose
Now, as to the excitement of the
,ress 70 force things of their own pick