THE RACE FOR THE POLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 8

THE RACE FOR THE POLE.

EXPERT OPINIONS ON AXDREES’ BALLOON EXPEDITION. Of all the races ever run on this racy planet that which lias the North Pole for its winning-post is surely tho grandest, not only from its magnitude, but from its high motive, which is the love of science and the thirst fur glory. We use the word “ race" advisedly, because, as most of us know, the at,tempts now being made to reach the Pole by several nations are so spirited as to savour of contest, if not of formal competition. First, there is tho intrepid and devoted Dr Nansen, the young Norwegian who made his mark by crossing Greenland on snow-shoes for the first time. Nansen, with a dozen companions, has sailed in the little Fram to drift across the Polar area with tho current which he behoves to flow from Siberia towards Greenland. Perhaps at this very moment he is moving slowly in his ice-bound prison over the Polar area on his way to Smith Sound or the open sea to tho eastward of Greenland. After him comes tho brave Englishman, Mr Jackson, of the expedition so munificently fitted out by Mr Ilarmsworth. Mr Jackson’s plan is to approach tho Pole by sap and mine, as it were —that is, by establishing depots and shelters at intervals on tho way, thus securing his retreat. Tho Windward, which took him out to Franz Josef Land, his starting point, is now at home, but will return to tho Far North to

bring him back. Thirdly, there is Herr Andree, the well-known Swede, who is making ready to start from the north of Spitzbergen next summer in a balloon which is capable of being steered to some extent with the help of a sail and a guide rope trailing on the ice or sea. These three plans are all more or less novel and untried before. Short of allying machine, it is not easy to see what other new methods could bo tried, and the question of their relative merits adds greatly to the interest of the race on which the eyes of the civilised wodd are fixed. Which of these heroic men stands the best chance of reaching the Pole? It is a question which millions are asking themselves, whether they speak of it or not. To our mind, Andree has most in his favour, and after him Nansen ; but it is properly a question for experts, and, fortunately, several distinguished authorities have kindly given us their views of the matter. Mr H. M. Stanley, M.P., regards the methods of both Nansen and Andree as

“ exceedingly perilous and of doubtful utility." The chances of Nansen “emerging out of the unknown north are very slim," ho writes, “ but with a properly equipped balloon, and after sufficient experience with it during axporimental flights, I think Mons. Andree might succeed in sailing across the Pole." Mr Clements R. Markham, C. 8., President of the Royal Geographical Society, who for the last thirty years has persistently advocated the exploration of the Polar area, has always deprecated mere attempts to reach the Pole as useless, excepting so far as they tend to the exploration of the intervening region. He has no sympathy with men who merely want to boat the record. “ They are not geographers, and only do harm." “ Nansen," lie continues, “ is making an attempt contrary to all tho canons of Arctic exploration. I shall rejoice if he succeeds, but as we know nothing of the region into which he has penetrated, it is impossible for us to form any conclusion of any value respecting the chances of success. If Andree succeeds in filling his balloon on the northern shore of Spitzbergen, and starts with a fair wind which continues, he will, of course, pass over the Pole, and may descend there; but it is a most hazardous undertaking, and little good can bo derived from it even." Sir Martin Conway considers that no answer can be given to the strict question whether Nansen or Andree is most likely to hit the particular spot called the North Polo. In either case “ success would be a fluke. Nansen must reach a very high latitude (with any luck); tho question is whether or not he .will return. Tho balloon project seems to mo theoretically good. If balloons of a steerable sort had been more developed, ono could speak with some certainty on the matter. As it is, it seems to me, to say tho least, premature to launch out into regions whence return (for a party of necessity poorly equipped) is unlikely with a novel apparatus. Only pure luck can give success. Nansen's apparatus (ship, etc.) is far from novel—tho only novelty is in tho course chosen. I think, therefore, that Nansen has prima facie the best chance of returning home, which, after all, is a more important element of success than merely reaching a point and being unable to return or record in any way the attainment."

Sir Leopold McClintock, the veteran Arctic explorer, has no opinion to offer on the question for a reason that is quite refreshing in these days when everybody is supposed to know all about everything, lie has never even heard of Andree 1

Mr Henry Coxwell, tho veteran balloonist, would rather not express an opinion on tho plan of Andrdo, which he reminds us, and properly reminds us, reproduces in some points the scheme which he devised for Commander Gheync, R.N., who originated the idea of employing tho balloon in Arctic exploration sonic fifteen years ago. These plans were made public at the Mansion House before Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott, then Lord Mayor; Sir j. Puleston, Admiral Bedford pini, and other scientific men and Arctic travellers, who know that the Englishman, Commander Chevne, would certainly have carried out his idea had he been supported by the English public. “ Of course," says Mr Coxwell, and not without cause, “ foreign scientists can easily make a more favourable impression in Great Britain than true Britons themselves." How little have we heard of Commander Chevne and how much of Major Andree ? Mr Coxwell thinks that his “ own design which Clieyne was ready to adopt would have succeeded quite as well as trying to cross the Arctic circle, and trying, moreover, to keep a balloon up for a month a feat as to dm alien which has never yet been accomplished. Nor, indeed, has it been done fur a third of that time, or a fourth, if figures are to be relied on. However, the latest aspirants doubtless know more than 1 do as to their intentions."

Mr Ilarmsworth, whoso very interesting remarks we have k- pi to the la-4 La cause they will fitly round off the discussion, has written to us as follows “ It. is not wise to prophesy unless one knows, but I regard Mr Andree’s expedition very much as one looks upon tho gentlemen who a few years ago filled tho American newspapers with accounts of their proposed balloon journey across the Atlantic. Nevertheless, it should not bo forgotten that Mr Andree is a skilled aeronaut, and there are hundreds, nay, thousands, of people who regard a balloon as tho only means of attaining the Foie. Mr Jackson went into the question of

balloons very carefully, and lie came to a conclusion expressed in the following words :— 4 1 should be inclined to take balloons with me could I be convinced that they were manageable in England. If it be not possible to direct a balloon with certainty in England, it is obviously much more impossible in latitudes where storms are of almost daily occurrence, and where the ordinary appliances for repairing and filling a balloon are unobtainable.’ In reading Mr Jackson’s account of his last winter’s experiences, in the comfortable home his party took with them to Franz Josef Land, one is struck by the fact that storms seem to have been of almost hourly occurrence. In tho summer, too, up to the time of the sailing of the ship, that is to say, there was no ballooning weather. ... I am inclined to believe that tho result of Dr Nansen’s expedition is more likely to prove of value to science than that of Mr Andree. In this matter, again, I am largely guided by the opinions of Mr Jackson, who, as a personal friend of Dr Nansen, is better acquainted with his views than most of us. The probabilities arc all against Nansen, Andree or Jackson reaching the Foie, but they are in favour of tho first two, at any rate, attaining a high latitude and cf making and bringing back an abundance of scientific information. . . . Next year will be most

interesting and exciting in the Folar area, and one looks with hope to the result of such work that has for its aim the progress of science, and is untarnished by any of the sordid considerations which tinge modern thought in regard to man and his life’s work."— Cassell's Family Magazine for February.