, 1922-06-22

And | have seen coal beds so easily tapped
that even the lazy natives use them.
THAT is not ALL have heard tales of fossil
ivory. of furs, of radlum, of great meteoric dia-
mond beds that formerly furnished crown jewels
for Russia. The wealth of the Arctic is ire
mendous" -
Anyway, there is corrotiorative evidence of sorts.
F. Stefansson certainly seized Wrangel island last
year and took possession in the name of Great
Britain, Notwithstanding 1t was discovered many
years ago by United States naval vessels ana
claimed us United States territory. While Stef-
ansson has refused to divulge the purpose Of this
years expedition he did say this;
THE development and colonization of the
Northlnnd will surely begin with the present gem
Grafton. The mystery woven around The north
has resulted from INSTRUMENTATION. Theories that
II is uninhnbltable have been forever rejected. for
II has been proved that fuel and food exist in
abundance.
"Since the true conditions in the north have
been realized colonization and commercial ex-
ploitation will surely follow. The animal life Is
the basis of attraction for commerce. A t first
IL would be largely a source of meat supply, but
there are also large deposits of oil. coal. copper
and other metals"
Amundsen seems to have many friends and
they have contributed literally to his exceedingly
comprehensive equipment. An American manu-
fncturer Of airplnnes has 'chipped in to the ex-
tent of about $4,000. He has contributed an all
metal monoplnne which has been tested to meet
arctic conditions.
Besides the monOplane. Amundsen will take n
scout plane. n smaller British ship which will he
used only within the vicinity OF the Maud. The
monoplane. with a cabin in which passengers have
been cnrried. will be self-supporting. She Is so
equipped that she can carry large stocks of fuel
and provisions and to her can be adjusted skis.
wheels or pontoons. so that she can land on any
~surface. With her aid. Amundsen believes he
can chart u 2OOmlle-wide course across the top
OF the earth.
The planes will he designed to permit Of land
ing on land or winter and Will he equipped with
fuel tanks for twenty hours flying. Only one
plane will leave the ship at a time. with the sec
ond always available for relief work.
Two Norwegian aviators. Lieutenant omdal
and Sergeant Odd Dahl. accompany Amundsen.
They will carry n moving picture outfit and about
10000 feet Of film. Both Omdal and Dahl are
expert wireless operators and expect to keep the
Maud In touch with Spitzbergen, and to receive
messages from the Norwegian wireless station Mt
Stavanger.
They also expect TO talk with Washington.
They plan to flash reports from alrplnne to the
mother ship. which Is equipped with transmitting
apparatus of 1000 miles radius. The ship then
will communicate with Alaska. and Nome viii
relay to the powerful station at 81. Paul, on the
Retiring sen. ST. Paul win send the messages d.
rectly to Washington.
Dr. II. u. S~verdrup. technical expert for the
expedition. assembled at Seattle what was said
TO be the most complete equipment OF technical
apparatus for meteorological research ever assem-
bled for a polar expedition. The equipment.
by the Carnegie institute and Smithsonian instl-
tuition, the const and geodetic survey and the
United States weather bureau.
The Norwegian nrmy and navy have presented
to the explorers The arms and munitions they
nay need and sixty boxes OF specially selected