SIR:
It is barely possible, of course, that Explorer Nansen may have found
his drift theory to be correct and may have actually reached his arctic
goal -- the north pole. But, until something transpires to verify
the rumor of his triumph, the story must be regarded as very doubtful.
The question, "Is there any royal road to the pole?" may
on Nansen's return to civilization still have to be answered in the
negative. Those comparatively easy modes of solving the polar problem,
drifting and ballooning, may never in practise (sic) prove
so adequate as they appear to some to be in theory. It is most likely
that the difficulties present in the arctic regions must be met and
conquered in resolute, manful fashion.
The
obstacles to be overcome in proceeding through the northernmost latitudes
are, according to every explorer's report, simply tremendous, but
that they are insuperable no one who has any faith in the energy and
enterprise of mankind will for a moment admit. That the polar point
will some day be attained by human beings is not to be doubted. Whether
the gain to science from such a feat would be extraordinarily valuable
or not, the adventurous spirit of man will not forever brook a bound
to his complete exploration of the globe. Taking it for granted that
daring travelers will continue to brave the rigors of arctic climes
until the supreme object is gained, the best method of accomplishing
the task becomes a matter for serious consideration.
It
would seem that the chief drawback in all arctic expeditions heretofore
has been their littleness and lack of resources. Too few persons have
been engaged in them and their supplies have been too limited for
the arduous work in hand. Sporadic attempts are apparently forever
doomed to failure. If there were a general cooperation of scientific
people in this matter, success would be certain, or if some individual
of ample means should give carte blanche to the next band of explorers,
the results would be equally satisfactory. What is wanted is an abundance
of money and it may here be remarked that any wealthy person who will
advance the sums required for the successful discovery of the pole
will link his name prominently and inseparably (sic) with
an achievement which will never be forgotten among men. With a well-filled
treasury to draw on, the first and the most assuring step will have
been taken, and the successive steps become a series of practical
efforts put forth in a businesslike way.
As
is well-known the highest latitude to which civilized human beings
have advanced is 82 degrees, or thereabout. That point is only something
over 400 miles from the pole. The distance remaining to be traversed
would be little were it not for the terrible barriers of ice and snow
which the king of eternal winter has reared about his domains. That
chaos of hummocks and bergs cannot be passed over swiftly. It would
probably require many months of laborious effort for even a properly
equipped party to make its way over those rugged hindrances. It would,
in fact, be necessary to construct a roadway for much or all of the
distance mentioned, by the exercise of engineering skill and patient
toil. The mere pickets of any expedition obviously cannot shelter
and sustain themselves at an isolated spot long enough to enable them
to push through to the wished-for destination. With the base of supplies
remote the forlorn hope of many an exploration has suffered fearful
hardships and privation, and the regaining of the main body barely
alive has been often regarded as ground for devoutest thankfulness.
To win victory in "The Arctic land of terrors," the outposts
should be efficiently supported as well as provided with suitable
equipments for continuing the forward march. The ground gained must
be maintained and made the starting point of further progress. If
the onward movement can only be kept up long enough, without retreat,
the key of the situation is within human grasp.
Here
is a rough outline of what seems to the writer to be the only sure
plan of polar discovery. The scientific world, or some generous individual,
is to contribute for the purpose in view, one million or more dollars.
A strong capacious steam vessel is to be bought or built, and is to
be freighted with whatever it appears needful for the expedition's
uses. A large party of robust and hardy men is to be enlisted and
placed under the command of a bold and yet prudent and intelligent
leader. This vessel is to penetrate under as favoring conditions as
may be secured, as far as possible into the arctic regions and to
land the men on the shore of the best harbor accessible. A permanent
land encampment is then to be established, made comfortable and thoroughly
furnished and provisioned. The vessel may then return to the port
whence she sailed, to come back the next season for news of the expedition
and with additional supplies. The expeditionaries are to secure dogs
and sledges in plenty and are to employ many Esquimaux helpers. A
part of the vessel's cargo should consist of numerous strong wooden
houses in sections, transportable on sledges to points beyond the
main camp. These houses, which must be designed for warmth as well
as solidity, are to be conveyed northward and erected at stated intervals
until a line of stations affording shelter, subsistence and every
needed utensil has been established all the way to the pole. It is
hardly credible that any permanently open water would be encountered
at those high latitudes, but the project might include the holding
in reserve of a stout boat or two placed on runners and thus readily
transferrable (sic) over ice and snow.
Each
of the way-houses mentioned above would be a complete camp in itself,
adapted to endure a long siege, and all the stations, would be connected
by means of an extensive telegraph cable, so that every movement at
each point and especially the extreme advance point, could be reported
daily to the main station at the harbor. With a sufficient force of
men and ample material for a campaign of this sort, there would practically
be no retrogression from any forward move. Progress, however slow,
would be steady and certain. The work of grading a roadway through
the rough and gigantic masses of ice would undoubtedly be very difficult
and it would often be retarded by the arctic storms. But perseverance
would, in the end, be rewarded with success, and the undertaking might
be completed in perhaps no longer a time than two to three years.
The
cost of the scheme suggested would greatly exceed that of any single
expedition of the past, but it would be a once-for-all affair, settling
the whole matter and preventing much futile trouble and expense for
all time thereafter. If it is worth while to engage in such an enterprise
at all, right and feasible methods should be employed. There could
be no failure of the "seize and hold" plan properly prosecuted,
while the "rush and dash" tactics hitherto in vogue are
wholly uncertain and the chances of their ever being successful are
exceedingly small.
THOR
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