Evening star., 1923-07-22

departure Of every arctic exploring
party of former years and the vast
curtain drawn between them and
home was sometimes never lifted
the hardships they were forced to
undergo and the manner of their
passing are mysteries never to be
unfolded AS soon as their ships
anchor was hoisted at the white
mans most northern outpost the
trend of the world events was TO
them closed
How different 1t is now and what
a contrast may be drawn between
the famous Greely expedition and
,hat In command of Capt. Donald b.
Macmillan, who Is now on his way
to Ellsemere land in the eighty-nine
foot auxiliary schooner Bowdoin,
-Four strands of wire between the
masts of this little vessel comprise
the link that makes the parting
easier and the future less doubtful
Cheerfully will they leave their
letters on the Labrador coast for they
know that these are not the last
farewells; RADIO will keep them in
contact with the world below-there
will be no good -bye-and, while they
wave a greeting to natives on shore,
Donald III. Mix. their radio operator
sent by the American Radio Relay
eating with amateurs 1000 miles
away. or listening to concerts from
Chicago.
In the forecastle of the little vessel
with headphones fastened over their
ears members of MacMillan's crew.
through this marvellous new adap-
ton of radio. will not only listen to
the same concerts that thousands
hear nightly at home, but what is of
more value to them, the latest news
ne nrl1 nrni niv,rr fro ha A ri ,c~
ton station. And just as they will
keep informed of national and inter-
national events as well as the result
Of world championship bout or the
election. so will they describe their
own vivid experiences in scientific
exploration.
The use of radio for arctic work is
new and untried, and the results Of
the plan of communication, designed
Jointly by Capt. Macmillan and officers
Of the American Radio Relay League,
are expected to pave the way for future
expeditions under vastly improved cir
cumstances both as to the morale Of
the explorer and the enlightenment Of
science.
Should some sudden emergency over
take the exploring party and their res
cue brought about then the weeks spent
in preparation. the painstaking care in
which the radio equipment was as
tfon of expert engineers, the work will
not have been in vain, and radio will
have proved its value in a new field.
One of the spectators of MacMillan's $
departure from the Maine coast was
Maj. Gen. A. w. Greely, leader of the
Greely expedition of 1881. '"The whole
cause for the death of eighteen MEM
bers Of the party" he said. referring
to his own experience, was due entire
ly to the fact that the relief expedi-
tions failed to reach US, and our sup
plies consequently gave out. OF the
twenty five members. seven were finally
rescued, but one man who had lost
his hands and feet died from the effects
of the experience in Greenland, where
the party stopped on it's way home"
Under such circumstances what would
radio have meant to the Greely ex-
ploration party? What may it mean
to Donald Macmillan, who is now on
his way to the desolate ice fields where
so many have gone but for one reason
or another failed to return?
What power Is there in four little
strands of wire!