New-York tribune., 1909-11-19
PEARY'S POLE DASH
AFTER DINNER TALE.
Explorer a Guest of the Aldine
Association.

Commander Robert f. Peary was the
guest OF honor OF the Aldine Association a.
a dinner last night In its clubrooms in the
Fifth Avenue Building. Before the dinner
about FIVE hundred guests were presented
{" Captain Bartlett by Herbert z. Houston.
chairman of the reception committee.
George Borup and Professor ID. B. McMil-
Ian. who accompanied Commander Peary
on the early stages OF the dash TO the pole
were unable TO attend.
The Aldine Association gave dinner for
Commander Peary several years ago, just
before his departure for the North. and az
that time the members expressed their con-
hdence in his ability to reach the goal OF
his ambitions.
ION this last and successful expedition Of
the Arctic Club said he in telling of his
trip. the object was TO reach the pole,
and to do this to bring our ship the fur
thest north in the channel from Cape
Sabine from 20 degrees to s. degrees 30
minutes and then 10 drive the sledges
from that point al. miles TO the pole lie
then told of the work of his various sup
porting parties and continued:
had calculated that the supporting
parties would take me 10 the highest point
so far reached. but they had gone much
further and | was in a better position than
ir,hs had ever dreamed possible, had rt,ts ffe
me from the first expedition; Ottah. who
had been with me for twelve years and
had gone TO the furthest north in our pre-
viOus expedition; two other Esquimaus had
had much previous experience, and the
other was urged on by the promise OF
whaleboat, rifle and mountaineering
which would enable him to wreSt from
a stubborn father the young girl who had
fired his brave young heart. The dogs
were the pick of the pack which started;
the sledges the best of tWenty-fouT which
had been brought TO the edge of land, re-
paired and strengthened for the dash.
From this point 1t was 10 be forced
marches. IL not stopped by that polar
nightmsre-leads-we could get ~ the pole
the goal shortly before noon. so that 7
could make observations 10 fix our posi-
tion. Fortunately the weather and going
improved and there were no leads. The
f1ve marches carried us TO within three
miles of the pole. After q few hours
sleep We took observ ations for miles srouhd
from noon Of April 70 the afternoon OF
April J.
We drove around with light sledge and
took field observations and looked for
place 10 take soundtngs 20 determine the
depth OF the polar sea ! also took pho
tographs of the spot which had been the
object OF some Of the most intelligent work
OF the greatest nations Of the world-we
had reached the top of the world
There were some peculiar features about
this point which is the mathematical den
milton OF rhe TOP ~ the earth. for there is
no pole there-stTiped or otherwise But
one thing that must impress all is that
mere there Is no east, no west, no north
everything is south-ths wind is always
from the south. Then in a year there is
only one day and one night
Gould man reach a pole unfatigusd-as
he may some day in hying machine-and
he properly worked M to a state Of hys-
terra, he might experience some peculiar
sensations, But man worn out with IA
ugue as | was could not analyza his SEN
satons I did have one overpovering feel
ing, however. and that was that I had
MADE good TO myself, Ia my friends and 10
the flag 7 had carried there
There was nothing peculiar in the phvsI-
cal surroundings. merely the same ice and
snow which had surrounded us for davs
! nave been asked why did not run
sro4hd the pole a few times ans come
rack hfteen years younger. That might he
All right I'm theory, but not i'm practice II
ionsr man g., Sould remain at the pole during the
the time an
But having reached the pole. We had 10
come pack. and that coming back process
mas proved the greatest difficulty to some
Iorher explorers J feared the wind might
break up our trait as II had dona tLrne.
ears pet"rc. therefore told nv men that
~ must be- big speed and small sIeep We
Planned 10 make two marches for every
tLgse ~ q natter OF fact. we made i'm
tnFee marches what we had made in five
soi!s 10 the pole could choose my time
a. II was sunlight all the time / saved
tl',lv t. IN @ @IhIS manner, for would make a
IoIcTd HaIch and find our igloos where We
would take meal then go ON To tbe rsx+
100 Where we would sleep We were sbIe
10 toHOw our old trail to within fortv-one
mliies th,E or land That We were able 10 do
ms was due to the suDportinp ,ar,to W
When we pulled the last sledge II1 a. C.aDc
,OIuniiDla' on the northernmost end OF the
crazy with joy ''''iau Us went
ADMIRAL Colby II. Chester declared that
ne o'd not know whether he should saw
an ne knew or would like to saw. IF
aiter what you have heard. YOU do rot
Feanze mat there is only one discoverer
OF the Pole. ! do not know when YOU will
know it, he added:
was one OF the board that passed on
the records of Commander Iearv b,,+ g..
school boy could have done II ,he,, No.
50 clear that no one could have am.
doubt"