The Cordova daily times., 1917-07-10
ARCTIC RE EG|ON EXPEDITION ON
 THE WAY
(By Associated Press)

| sealing vessel Neptune has left St Johns, Newfoundland, to make the third attempt to bring back to civili- zation the members of the Crocker land expedition, marooned in the Arc ttic. Captain Robert A. Bartlett, who accompanied Rear Admiral Peary to the Arctic. regarded as one of the most skilful nagivators of the frozen re- gions of the north, is in command of the Neptune.
 The departure of this the third relief vessel to be sent to the rescue of the Crocker land expedition-marks one of the most costly enterprises of exploration. Two other vessels, the George B. Cluett and the Denmark, made intellectual attempts to bring back the explorers, who four years ago went in quest of the mysterious Crocker land, which Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary believed he had seen in 1906. The expedition was sent out under the joint auspices of the Amsri- can Museum of Natural History, the American Geographical Society and the University of Illinois, under the leadership of Donald B. MacMillan What appeared to the eyes of the dis coverer of the North Pole was declared by Mir. MacMillan to be merely a mi rage, and the party has looked for Crocker land in vain.
 The MacMillan party, meanwhile, has been conducting explorations on its own account and has discovered six new islands, explored new lands, found extensive deposits of coal and other minerals and has gathered to. gether vast store of scientific know | ledge. These scientists are proceed ing with their professional work as calmly as though they were not ex- posed to dangers of starvation. Dr. Harrison J. Hunt, the surgeon of the expedition, who a few days ago came back to this country, after a thrilling journey of fourteen miles over the ice of Melville bay, report ed that unless help were sent his companions would be in dire sxtrsm- ity by August 1. The scant supplies were even then being rationed out to them. After midsummer they will be obliged to subsist as best they can upon the country, and after the man ner of the Eskimos. Walrus meat and caribou may possibly be obtained, but they will be dependent largely upon i the fortunes of the chase. Dr. Hunt says that unless help is sent he fears | fatality.
 | The Neptune, which is now on it's way to Etah--the base of the Crocler land expedition, is vessel especially we'll equipped for such mission. "The queen of the sealing fleet" as she Is called, is one of the stoutest vessels afloat and her stout ribs may we'll withstand the pressure of the polar pack.
 In addition to her regular stores she is carrying eight tons of food for the use of the Crocker land party. | R. Henry Fairfield Osborn, presi- dent of the American Museum of Ma tural History, and chairman of the honorary committee of the expedition said the other day that he considered the scientific results obtained by the expedition fully justified its enormous cost. He expressed the hope that the general public would aid the institu tions concerned in bearing the ex pense. George H. Sherwood acting chairman of the committee in charge says that he feels confident that, bar ring accidents, the Neptune will be back with the MacMillan party in the early autumn and that the expedition will reach a triumphant close.
 How many are the demands of civi- lization is shown in the manifest of the Neptune. The supplies which she is taking north include hundreds of items. Among some of the stores in the hold are 2,000 pounds of pork, 5 barrels of sugar, crates of yellow meal, 4 cases of oatmeal, 5 cases of sliced pineapple. cases of evaporated lapples, cases of evaporated peaches, 150 pounds of butter and keg of sour pickles.
 Dehydrated vegetables are especial ly useful in the farthest north, and in the stores are bone dry spinach, car rots and such material. The solace of nicotine is thoroughly appreciated in the land of Arctic nights and, there
 fore, in the consignment may be found
 smoking tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and corn cob pipes.
 In order to keep up amicable rela
 tions with the Eskimos, candies, jel lies and other sweets are found use
 full, and for the purpose of exchange
 combs. buttons. scissors and the like
 are held in high esteem.
 The children of the snows are alsC
 exceedingly fond of music, and tha Is the reason that there are found il the cargo of the Neptune severa photographs with records bearing tn, liveliest of popular airs.
 >-