The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-09
National Geographic So
ciety and Peary Club
Unite in Purpose.
WILL ENDEAVOR
TO RAISE FUNDS
Expedition May Be Ready to
Leave New York in July.
The Roosevelt Will Be
Used, and Bartlett Will
Be Placed in
Charge.

Washington, February s.--The diroc-
tors of the National Geographic Society
o-day accepted the invitation to join
with the Peary Arctic clup in starting
an expedition in search Of the South
Pole. provided sufficient funds can be
raised. The campaign for funds will
be undertaken at once.
America has decided to geek for
South Pole laurels similar to those
won for her by Commander Peary at
the North Pole.
Commander Peary. who ia in New
York, where a testimonial In his be.
half was given Tonight at tho Metro
polftan Opera House, was notified Inn
mediately of the action Of the board OF
managers OF the Geographic Society.
Captain Bartlett, who was In COM
mand of the Roosevelt which Peary
used on his successful trip to the North
Pefe. probably viii be placed In charge
OF the expedition into the Antarctic
regions. With the exception of Com
mandcr Peary. the members of the ey-
petition Will be the same as those who
returned last year from the frozen
North
The Roosevelt Ready for Service.
The Roosevelt. including complete
equipment. .sledges and all. is practl-
caIly in readiness to be stored with
provisions and start on her search of
the only big goal on this globe which
has not yet been reached.
Before the Geographic Society makes
lis fipal decision I'm the matter there
will be consultations with the men,
bsrs of the society to find out whether
the project Will receive sufficient finan-
cial assistance to warrant the under
taking. 1t is believed that no diff
Guilty will be experienced in raising
sufficient money TO fit out the Roose-
-ye1t.
After meeting late this afternoon
the board of managers of the Geo
graphic Society 9dopttd tho GTioI;owins
The National Geographic Society
believes that ii is of great Importance
to science that tidal, magnetic and,
meteorological observations shall be
obtained at or in the vicinity of Coats
Land during the same period that the
British expedition under Captain Rob-
ert T.. Scott. II. N, is making similar
observations on the other side of the
Antarctic area, $500 miles distant, and
at the same time that this recently
discovered land shall be explored
That the society is ready to accept
MT. Peary's proposition that 1t shall
undertake jointly with the Peary Arc
tic Club an expedition to the Antarctic
regions as outlined above, provided
that the board of managers, after con-
sultation with the members OF the So
ciety. find that the project Will receive
sufficient financial assistance to war
rant the undertaking."
May Start In July.
1T is thought probable that the eX-
petition may be ready to set sail from
New York. where the sturdy little
Roosevelt is now lying. as early as
July. The rapidity with which re-
sponsc for financial assistance is made
by members or friends OF the society
will determine the date IT is hoped
to have the South Pole seekers start
out not later thanSeptember next.
I BY curious coincidence the gold
medals presented by the Geographic
Society to Commander Peary and can
tain Bartlett. in honor OF their North
Pole discovery. reached Hubbard Me-
mortal Hall. the headquarters here Of
the society, to-day lust before tho
board of managers went into execu-
tice session. at which they resolved on
the expedition to the South Pole.