CRUISE TO THE ARCTIC

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15895, 21 January 1924, Page 5

CRUISE TO THE ARCTIC

AIM OF AMERICA. ANNEXATION OF POLAR ISLANDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) WASHINGTON, January 19. Tho prime purpose of the proposed polar flight of ZRI is tho exploration of the Arctic regions with a view to annexing land in that area to the United States. The Secretary for the Navy, Mr E. Denby, testifying before the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, declared that the vast unexplored area contiguous with Alaska constituted a challenge to the United States, and justifies a polar flight. Another Power' would within a year photograph and map this region if the United States did not do so. The area within the Arctic Circle was certain to be of high strategic value commercially and militarily, and should be the property of the United States.

The ZRI would cruise over 1,000,000 square miles of unexplored territory. The flight would not be especially hazardous, and the cost was estimated at 185,000 dollars. Lieutenant-Commander Bartlett, who accompanied Peary when he discovered the North Pole, also gave evidence, and recommended the flight, endorsing its practicability. Other naval experts affirmed '.hat the experience of the ZRI in the gale last week demonstrated the airworthiness of the vessel for the Polar expedition.