Evening star., 1923-12-27
Entire Nation Will Applaud
Navy's Search for North Pole

Secretary Denby's announcement
# the Navy's proposed aero fash to
'ho north, pole strikes a responsive
hord throughout the United States.
side from the scientific value of the
'xpedition. the probable mapping of
ranspoiar air routes between north
!rn Europe and the Pacific, and the
possible exploration of an unknown
continent. there is a lure about the
'rozen north which extends beyond
he ranks Of the hardy adventurers
who have penetrated its mysteries.
AS the Muncie Star puts it, 'the
prospects of carrying the American
lag into regions which have not
,tnown the white man is peculiarly
fascinating; besides. 1.-The people Of
his country have also felt a sense
If ownership in the north pole itself
hccause an Amer can was the first to
reach the top of the world" The At
lanta Journal Is thrilled with that
thought of "the soaring flight over
a brilliant map that changed daily.
almost hourly, from the vivid green
IF summer toward the dazzling white
and green of the ice foes and the
1parkiing sea between. and through
the quest of the north pole-that
has been the magnet of 80 many
valiant expeditions with only one
epnroximating success" Anyway,
while the specialists are withhold
ing a verdict. we laymen may allow
our fancy flight or two. even If
the Shenandoah or any other giant
dirtgible never in our 1ay ESSAYS the
nxcurs' on" The Nashville Banner
also feels at is a daring conception.
but one which seems to have at least
reasonable prospects of success" At
any rate. tt Is an interesting prop
osttion, with the elements of pure ad-
venture attached to t., and the men
wishes of the country. however much
1t may think that they don't know
exactly where they are flying"
r x *
A few years ago such an announce
ment, according to the New London
Day, would have been greeted with
jeers and not few of our public
minded citizens would have raised a
howl that such an attempt would
mean nothing short Of death for the
explorers. but, this country has so ad-
vanced that little attention Is being
paid to the proposed trip. and those
who do stop to consider II, probably,
II asked, would unhesitatingly de-
clare that such trip Is feasible" :"
material banefit from flying across
the pole, the Ann Arbor Times News
claims, but "the observations taken
by the voyagers will be valuable for
seiense serys records also tt the trip wi
durability. not to mention the honor
accruing to the first nation that sends
an expedition over the top of the
The Flint Journal recalls that ait is
ha oP Nd ay-
Fitzhugh Green of the United States
Navy that In the center of the polar
area there may be an undiscovered
and unexplored continent of million
square miles Of habitable land. He
announces his plan to locate 1t. There
probably is considerable inhabitable
land In the Arctic circle. and 1t would
not be great surprise were new
continent discovered there. True,
Mr.. Green speculates, but he does so
Barre Record. however, argues that
"in a practical sense II makes little
difference whether there Is land or
water and ice-the land could not be
put to use. There would be nothing
but sentiment in its possession. yet
there Is interest in the proposed air.
, ship journey, mainly because II will
be something new in adventure, and
because 1t will further demonstrate
possibilities with that type of craft"
y
The Manchester Union Is confident
that "the naval officers can be de-
pended upon for thorough work in
discovering the manner of region
that exists about the pole"; however,
mo amount of foresight can remove
all handicsps to polar exploration.
or provide against all emergencies,
but there. IL no manner Of doubt