Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-18
Capt. Baldwin Outlines His
Plan to President Taft.
WILL DRIFT WITH THE ICE
Expects to Organize Expedition for
Exploration and Research.
ANNExAT1oN's HUMOROUS SIDE
Presidents Facetious Comment on
Suggested Acquisition Of Canada.
Statesmen at White House.

Capt Evelyn Baldwin, the arctic ex-
plorer, had a brief talk with President
Taft today and is to confer with the
chief executive later about an expedi-
ton he is planning to go to the north
pole by means of the ice drifts of Boring
sea. Capt. Baldwin proposes to start
in at Bering strait with a ship equipped
for four years in the ice foes of the
Arctic ocean. He has not the least doubt
that the drifts will take him to the north
pole. Capt. Baldwin said today that the
ice drifts, starting at Boring strait, MAKE
about two miles a day and come out
in the North Atlantic ocean between
SptZbergen and the northeast coast of
Greenland.
There is not the shadow of a doubt
in my mind" said Capt. Baldwin. "that
when my expedition starts it will fol-
low the course 1 outlined and come out
at the point named. The movement of
the ice pack is perfectly simple. 1t is
a mechanical process, and is as sure as
the laws of mathematics. At two miles
a day it would take at least 700 days
to go through the Arctic ocean, but !
shall prepare for four full years, as
my plans are to make many side trips,
take deep sea soundings, secure valuable
meteorological and other data and spend
some time at the pole
Utility of Ice Pack.
Capt. Baldwin's idea is to use the ice
pack not only to close around and pro-
tect his ship, but as a sort of lumber
yard. where he will keep his lumber and
other supplies. which will drift along
with the ship. He does not anticipate
any breaking up of the ice pack until
the north Atlantic ocean Is reached. Ex-
petitions will go out from the ship al
most daily, returning at leisure.
Capt. Baldwin says that he will not
be ready for the expedition for several
years, and in talk he will have soon
with President Taft he will ask for
whatever support the President may be
able to give the project
President Taft was today invited to at
tend the quarterly dinner of the Medical
Club of Philadelphia, to be held April Il
or any other convenient date. The Presi-
dent was unable to give a definite reply.
but will try to find time to accept the
invitation, which was presented by DR..
w. l.. Rodman, president Of the club. and
a committee.
President Ridicules Annexation.
President Taft. referring to this AN
nexation business" last night. said that
If we are going to embark in the annexa-
ton business we must, at the earliest OPP
portunity. annex the aurora borealis."
and the gathering laughed.
The President also told Ambassador
Bryce of Great Britain that I'VE must
have a little confidential chat about
this annexation business.
Secretary Knox broke in with. ,ok
out: they'll think next we are after Aus
tralia." and the laugh was general
The incident occurred at a dinner given
by Representative David J. Foster Of
Vermont. chairman Of the House commit
tee on foreign relations. In honor of
Secretary Knox. The President dropped
10 for few minutes. Ambassador Bryce
Of Great Britain and other diplomats were
present.
President Tafts remarks were wholly
informal.
Names Fort Henry Fortifcations.
Mrs Frank Anthony Wake of Nor
folk offered to President Taft today the
first suggestion yet made for the naming
Of the proposed important Notifications at
Fort Henry. She thinks that the forth
fications should be named after Commo.
dore Maury. popularity known as the
pathfinder Of the sea- The President
said he was glad to receive the sugges-
ton. Mrs. Wake was accompanied to
the White House by Representative May
nard.
Senator Warner Of Missouri saw the
President to ask that the sentence re-
Gently imposed upon A. j. May, Kan
sas City broker. convicted OF misusing
the mails to defraud. be suspended pend
ing the fling Of papers asking for his
pardon. May Is said to deserve execu-
tive cieIneney.
Arthur ]. yorys, the Ohio republican
leader, who has been spending two days
81 the White House as the guest of
Presidept Taft, will leave the city today.
lie has been discussing the Ohio polit-
ical situation with Mr. Taft.
Senator-elect Atlee Pomerene of Ohio,
who will succeed Senator Dick in the
United States Senate, was introduced to
President Taft today.