Year: 1873

ST. JOHNS N. f., Oct. l, 1878.


Now that the Polaris excitement is at an end, so
far as the tate OF the missing crew is concerned,
the question reverts to the original proposition
"Where Is the Polesn There are doubtless those in
the community who will mentally eXcaim,
"Bother the Polel' or perhaps denounce the mys-
ferrous problem in more emphatic terms. But
venture to assert that, despite the narrowing tales
which mark the records or Arctic exploration there
will always be found scores OF adventurous spirits
to brave everything until the great secret is un-
earthed. Many regard the scheme of reaching the
North Pole, however interesting in philosophical
point OF view, as an object OF pure curiosity, and
not likely to lead to any practical results, while
others contend that, apart from the fact OF
improving our geographical knowledge, it is i'm
possible to conjecture what good results may now
from the discovery. Howbeit, SO long as the Polar
region within the vast ice belt remains unknown.
30 long viii the mystery exercise an Irresistible fascl
nation over those who delight in danger or love to
enlarge the boundaries OF science. 1t is not my
province, neither is it my intention, to discuss
the point in all its bearings any OF its bearings;
but cannot reirain from presenting some facts
which, in connection with expeditions under the
auspices OF the United States government, may
not prove uninteresting to the people who pay Tor
them.


NATIONAL PRIDE.


That it BELTS the character Of great maritime
nation to embrace every opportunity to extend
the basis OF natural science needs no comment.
England claims many prizes i'll that respect; but
the question OF to-day is to what country Will fall
the honor OF reaching that northern point OF the
surface OF the globe which terminates its axis of
rotation. Though the ardor OF explorers may be
dampened by perils and disaster, the mystery will
be solved at no distant period. Aside from the
results there is now the strong incentive OF ma
tional pride which, once properly asserted, must
overcome all barriers which have hitherto seemed
insurmountable. 1t would be olly, as 1t would be
unjust, to deny TO England the credit that belongs
to her in the matter OF Arctic explorations. The
names OF her heroes have been crystallized by the
rigors Of the north into imperishable fame. But If
untold hardshps, dauntless and unnaggng perse
verance and sterling pluck have marked the Eng
lsh expeditions in the Arctic seas, it was reserved
for American explorers to make known and open
up the


TRUE GATEWAY TO THE POLE.


Kane. Hayes and Hall have done more toward
the solution Of the problem than all the other ex-
plorers with whose names the world is familiar.
And it requires only glance at the records to
prove this Whatever may have been the excel
lent results OF other expeditions though they have
all been fruitless lar as the main issue Is con-
cerned the fact is unnlistakable that Kane,
Hayes and Hall, in the face OF the most eminent
authorities in Europe, fixed on the true portal to
the North Pole and at the present time the opin-
ion in favor of the route by Smiths Sound is uni
versal. Everybody acquainted with Arctic ex-
plorations knows that there but three gateways
TO the Polar Sea-ii any exist through which its
waters mingle with those OF the At
lantic and Pacific Oceans. These are Behr-
ings Strait, the so-called spitzbereen route,
and C,,t 4hA 80
Bafins Bay. or these Behring's Straits has long
since been abandoned as hopeless. Little better is
the Sptzbergen route, as sad experience has
proved from the time Of Barentz down to the pres
ent day. True, indeed, the swedish aud German
expeditions have obtained high atitudes by this
once avorite route but the heavy northern ice pack
seems to bar all progress, and although able argu-
ments have been advanced in support OF 1t many
OF its enthusiastic adherents have abandoned it in
despair. Altogether Smiths Sound seems destined
to be the goal through which the triumphant ex-
pl0rer must pass Kane, Hayes ands Hall have
proved that 1t is the only point In the whole cir
cult OF the cghteth parallel where lines OF coast
stretch towards the Pole Smiths Sound and Ken
nedy Channel are navigable in an ordinary favor
able season. The Polaris went hey ond 81 degrees
North from Upernavk In eight days.


WHAT ENGLAND PROPOSES TO DO


But II the English expeditions have hitherto
proved unsuccessful tneir promoters do not intend
that the prize shall Slip through their hands un
sought. Already have the Royal Geographical
Society OF England presented memorial TO the
Chancellor OF the Exchequer and the First Lord OF
the Admiralty, urging with remarkable earnest
ness the advsabty OF sending out without delay
another Arctic expedition. The memoralists as
sert that experience has proved the route in the
direction OF Spitzbergen to be mpractcabe, and





ion that 'the route by Bafln's Bay
and Smiths Sound promises the largest
amount of valuable scientinc results COM
bined with the best assurance OF safety"
They add, moreover, that every first class power
OF Europe and America, except England has sent
forth expeditions for Arctic discovery during the
last twelve years. that these attempts have been
watched with the deepest interest and not without
some feelings OF shame by the press and people Of
Great Britain and there is now very general feel
ing in this country that the time has come for us
again to assert old pre-emlnencc in the field OF
Arctic discovery" 1t is very plain therefore, that
England Is bound to struggle for the prize; not in
the old paths but in the track OF Kane and Hayes,
whose narratives have made the world wonder at
the extent OF human endurance.


FEASIBILITY or THE PROJECT.


There is no doubt the tragic history OF the
Polaris will tend to lessen the desire among the
people OF the United States Tor further Arctic re.
search. The startling termination OF the expedi.
tion may, perhaps suspend ior the present the
idea OF resumng the project, yet so far from there
being anything in the details published to de-
ter the enterprise as uneasible, Hairs dis
coveries have given o fresh impulse to Arctic cx.
ploration It is now proved beyond all question
that the coast of Greenland stretches towards the
Pole within 800 miles Of the mysterious spot.
The "Open Polar Sea- OF Morton Is no more 1t IS
now known as roarls Bay. IL was not until the
Polaris was In latitude SO deg. 10 min. that heavy
Ice was met and there Is reason to believe she could
have gone farther had the opinions OF those on