, 1922-06-22

under government auspices to explore the Arctic.
After drifting through the Northwest passage his
vessel. Maud. had a propeller blade smashed in
the ice Off the northeastern Siberian coast. So
the Maud was taken to Seattle for repairs. The
sturdy vessel was thoroughly refitted in Lake
Union. Seattles fresh-water lake. And that's how
II happens that Amundsen's second start is from
America.
Amundsen visited Washington before his start
aud evidently established friendly relations with
Uncle Sam, "We want to find out what is in
the Areticaeircie, he said there. sit is believed
that the information which may be obtained from
n Thorough inspection of the territory around the
pole will he of value to science"
IL am going to retire from the exploring busi-
ness when this trip Is finished" he said. IT have
been engaged in making explorations ever since l
was twenty-one years old. and I think 1t is about
time TO rest a little bit. The life is n very hard
one aud makes great demands upon strength and
vitality. At any rate. I have been at 1t for n
good many years and l have had about enough"
Jules Verne has nothing on ROAD Amundsen,
ms The Norwegian outlines his plans for exploring
the roof Of the world. His expedition will not be
like those which have preceded It,. Its vision
Will not be confined to n few miles on either side
of the ship. but from the air It will be able to
take in at a glance objects 200 miles away.
II Will not be for years cut off from touch with
the outside world, leaving friends and relatives
TO wonder IL the %northland had smashed in Its
Icy fist the hardy adventures who encroached on
its Businesses. Instead, It will talk by radio
every day with all the world.
II will not have spent years charting merely a
narrow strip. but. with the aid of aviation will be
able 10 chnrt 100000 square miles. sketchlng
tie currents OF the air as well as those of the
sea. lie hopes to accomplish with his airplanes
in a fvc-ycars' voyage what would take n score
OF years. millions of dollars and many lives IL
only n ship md dog sleds were employed.
Now. here's another view of the expedition
based upon the additional fact that Vi%lhjalmur
S.cfansson, the famous Canadian explorer. Is also
headed for the Arctic. Capt. Q. ID. Petersen. the
Lone Wolf Of the Arctic" skipper of the whaler
Hermann, thinks there's something doing beside
science in these TWO expeditions. Captain peder-
sen was In San francisco Just before Amundsen's
departure from Seattle. He said he was anxious
To sail. So as TO get n rlng-side seat under the
nurorn borenlis. From that vantage point he
wants 10 watch what he says Is history's great
est International marathon across the top of the
world, In which the untold riches of the north
iaud will reward the victor.
Principals in the international race to the pole
viii be Ronld Amundsen. discoverer of the South
Pole. who'll represent Norway. and viIhjnlmur
Siefansson, who'll carry the flag OF Great Britain.
they'll start as soon as the Ice will let them
Amundsen from Seattle with n ship equipped with
airplhnes and radio, Stefansson from wrangel
island with the old-fnshloned equipment OF dog
sled.
The two explorers tell the world they'll shut
themselves or from civilization aud risk their
lives in Arctic Icepacks for the glory OF discovery
and sclcutinc achievement.
hut WOLF Petersen says there's more thnn
that In The expedition. lie sees n race for vast
treasures hidden behind the Ice barriers.
lie snAs The explorers are seeking for Norway
and England great iridium mines, vast oil fields
nnd cui deposits, fossil ivory. diamonds. areas
Of frriila innd where reindeer thrive.
81 cnuuot believe" Petersen says. that Eng.
land and Norway have gone to this great expense
purely for exploration purposes.
For I myself have seen oil ooze from the
grornd aud form a lake near Point Barrog-oll
80 pure that natives burn II In lamps without
rciinInei