New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-19
Shall 1t Be the Stars and
Stripes First. or John
Bulls Union Jack?

And now all eyes are turning to the South Pole
Al International 10 capture the last great
.o,ranbical prize and TO clear the mystery of the
Antarctic has every prospect OF being started next
aor A British expedition led by Captain r. +.
oott a already assured with $4,000 subscribed for
s,,enses within a few days and seven thousand
enncations from many persons willing TO share
a. the glory of discovery. DR.. w. S. Bruce plans
another Scottish expedition. In this country ex-
,lorers scientists and common people VOW that the
Ir,stes States must have the blue ribbon OF the
south as well as Of the North. There Is POSSIBLE
,tx thar Commander Peary and his crew. without
waiting TO settle that little question about who
nailed the flag to the North Pole first. saf for
she frigid antpodes Captain Bartlett OF the Roose-
Welt saws he would like nothing better. The ship,
the dogs and the equipment could be used right
s,rav for an Antarctic dash. Other countries
vet 10 be heard from, but there seems TO be little
doubr that the fever win spread and that next
summer viii formidable array of expeditions
hearing down the Southern Cross. Especially
the Danes. the Norwegians the Belgians and the
Germans unlikely TO he absent from the last
great pole hunting sweepstakes. For there is only
one pole left for man 10 find and ne cannot find il
more than twice. allowing for disputed
claims.
A movement among scientific societies in this
country 10 send out Antarctic expedition has
received great stimulus from the achievements OF
Cook and Peary N the North Within few weeks
the American Geographical Society. seconded by
other scientific bodies, viii probably endeavor TO
have the United States government dispatch
Official expedition South Poleward. Other countries
are in the habit OF sending official expeditions.
Why the United States. It is argued. especially
after her great achievement through private en-
terprise 10 the North? The following resolution.
urged by such men Rear Admiral Melville Ed
win Swift Balch and Henry @. Bryant. and APP
proved by the American Geographical Society, was
passed last April by the American Philosophical
Society: That the American Philosophical Society
requests the cooperation OF the scientific and geo
graphical societies OF the United States to urge on
the United States navy and the general government
that II make sufficient appropriations TO 1T gov
ernnaent vessel 10 thoroughly explore and survey
the coast OF Wilkes Land and other parts Of Ant
srctica-" Itsis expected that when the executive
council OF the American Geographical Society
meets next month COMMITTEES VIII be appointed
70 go TO Washington ana confer with government
officials concerning the project OF national ex-
petition
FAVORS POPULAR SUBSCRIPTION.
Regardless Of governmental action, something is
sure 10 be DONE II the opinions OF prominent men
interviewed by g Tribune representative are ac-
curately drawn. A fruitful suggestion was made
by Robert c. Norris president OF the Republican
Club that a popular subscription be opened for
carrying the Stars and Stripes 20 the southern
axis OF the earth II ought 20 be easy az this time
raise fund that would at least give the United
States an equal start IN the forthcoming interna-
iional contest The British expedition asks 10000
for ship and equipment. Such a sum should be
speedily raised in this country and without going
outside the American metropolis
on the scientific side the South Pole Is a ripe
fruit that will almost surely be piucked by one
or more OF the intrepid bands OF explorers going
fter il II is not question OF slow conquest ana
Tlodding progress. as in the Forth. A few months
80 Lieutenant shacketon, carrying the British
Tag stood within IL miles OF the southern axis.
which is much nearer than man ever came to the
North Pole before its final capture Shackleton
was almost within sight OF his goal The mex,
group OF explorers may actually get there. IL VIII
be a literal between the nations. and a narrow
margin OF weeks. days or even hours may deter
mine the victory. IN view Of the impending bitter
rivalry, II may be deemed wise 20 establish inter
national rules for the contest. forbidding such
things as doping OF the dogs. malicious injury
10 rival equipments appropriation OF others caches
giving false Information and the Ike. II IS pretty
Teu surmised that gold seekers not more ruth
less and laWless IN pursuit OF their quest tnan
ssle hunters in the icy wastes Of the earths ex-
trsrliuea-
TLAre is a possibility that the United States will
be represented by two expeditions IL Commander
PeaTy consents to lead Antarctic party. In
that case It is predicted that DR.. Cook who was a
member OF the Belgian expedition ten years ago
and is especially keen on the Antarctic problem,
viii be sure 70 hurry another party into the d.id.
Then the two principals in the great North Pole
controversy could fight their differences finish
az the southern axis OF the globe Down there
pashy OF white witnesses and unpires among the
international contestants could be obtoined.
sHAcKLEToN MAY TRY AGAIN.
cyrus c Adams, a well known geographer ana
editor Of The American Geographical society Bul-
letin,' said:
Aheie Is Indeed a worldwide movement begin
IiiHs Aor Ae conquest Of the Antarctic. Besides
Se0| ana bruce. Lieutenant shackleton who has