PEARY’S POLAR TRIP

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 18, 16 October 1930, Page 11

PEARY’S POLAR TRIP

Was Destination Reached?,

ESKIMOS’ EVIDENCE

Signs of Despondency OFFICIALS LONG IN DOUBT Major Burwash, the Canadian explorer, who found tlie remains of Sir John Franklin’s expedition, throws doubt on the claim that the Peary expedition reached the North Pole. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, (Rec. October 15, ILIS p.m.) ’ Toronto, October 14. An interview with Major L. T. Burwash, published here, states that during his recent trip to King William. Land he met Eskimos who formed a part of the Peary North Pole Expedition.

Major Burwash is quoted as saying: “They didn’t know anything about the poles, those Eskimos. Poles meant nothing to them, but when they were asked whether the white man Peary reached his destination the Eskimos indicated that he hadn’t. They told, me that there had been evidence of despondency among members of the party. There was nothing of the jubilation which such a discovery would give rise to. The Eskimos said, that there had been no rejoicings, no feasts.”

Major Burwash, as head of the North-West Territories Department, has been thirty-three years in the Arctic, and on each trip has made inquiries of Eskimos as to their farthest north movements, with or without a w’hite man. Burwash would not give his own opinion, reserving it for his report on the whole subject of the latest northern expedition for the Government.

The same inference that Peary failed has quietly pervaded official circles through the years. Arctic explorers who come and go quietly ou survey work have marvelled how Peary could have got there and back with dogs in the time claimed by him. They held, their peace, not desiring to disturb the acclaim awarded him, but there was no doubt in their own minds that the feat was next to impossible.

After wintering in Grant Laud, Peary, with six companions, set out over the ice from Cape Columbia on March 1, 1909. Members of the party were gradually sent back as supplies diminished until Peary was left with Matt Henson, the negro member of the expedition, and four Eskimos. They were reported to have reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909, and to have' remained some 30 hours, taking observations and soundings. Rear-Admiral Byrd, in describing his flight to and round the North Pole, said: “As we flew there, we saluted the gallant, indomitable spirit of Peary and verified his report in every detail.”