ANNEXATION IN THE ARCTIC.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16379, 12 March 1924, Page 6

ANNEXATION IN THE ARCTIC.

THE CRUISE OF THE U.S. AIRSHIP

.SHENANDOAH

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.—Speaking before the House of Representatives’ Naval Committee. Mr. Don by, Secretary of tho Navy, said that the prime purpose of .the airship Shenandoah’s proposed flight to the North Pole was the exploration of the Arctic regions, with a view to annexing land in that area to the United States. “The mere fact that there, is an unexplored area of a million square miles adjacent to the United Slates,” he sav'd, “constitutes a constant, challenge to the United States. Wei cannot, permit till a I vast territory to fall, int-o the hands of another Power. If we do not make Hrs flight this summer, the entire Arctic region will be photographed anti mapped hv another Power within a year.” "Mr. Den by added that the Shenandoah showed no strncturn.l or navigation weakness during- her recent runaway flight. He estimated that tho cost of the proposed exploration would be 183,000 dollars. The Shenandoah would not a-t----len- to pass over the Polo unless Hie weather conditions were favorable. If she succeeded in reaching Spitsbergen she would visit England on the way lack to the United States, and later she might attempt a flight round the world.