Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 49.djvu/343

 free from risk, especially since Eskimos are to be employed. (R. E. Peary, civil engineer, U. S. Navy.)

It is Mr. Robert Stein's merit to have called attention to the remarkable fact that the most northern portion of our continent has so far remained unexplored, not on account of the inherent difficulties of access, but on account of historical facts which directed the attention of explorers to Lancaster Sound and its western continuation, and to Smith Sound and its northern continuation. All the facts that are known—and these are quite numerous—indicate that the northernmost portion of the arctic American archipelago can be reached without danger and can be explored with comparative ease.

Mr. Stein points out that the point of attack is Jones Sound, which has so far been entirely neglected by explorers. Profiting by previous experience, Mr. Stein proposes to establish a station at the entrance of Jones Sound, thus giving his operations the necessary security and practically excluding all danger of serious accidents. The entrance of Jones Sound is visited annually by whalers, who will keep the explorers in contact with the civilized world, and who can furnish supplies and help if needed. There is no doubt that a small number of scientists, supported by a few Eskimo families, will be able to thoroughly explore the outlines of all the unknown islands and bring home material results in all branches of natural science, and that they may add important observations on the physical conditions of the arctic zone. The field of exploration has the immeasurable advantage that it can be easily reached either by a special vessel or by means of whalers; that exploration is, one might say, absolutely safe; and that it is certain to yield results which will rank with the best achievements in arctic explorations.

It is Mr. Stein's intention to confine the first season's work to the establishment of a base station and the exploration of its immediate vicinity. It is his plan to engage the help of a number of Eskimos, and to limit the party to from four to six scientists. The experience of C. F. Hall, of Schwatka, and my own proves that such work is practically free from risks of any kind, and I do not hesitate to express my conviction that even the first year's work will amply repay the expense incurred in fitting out the expedition. (Dr. Franz Boas, explorer of Baffin Land.)

Your committee believe that this expedition is thoroughly safe and practicable; that it is desirable for scientific purposes; and that no part of the arctic regions gives promise of greater opportunities for extensive discoveries with a minimum of danger, hardship, and expense. (National Geographic Society, Washington, D. C)

Whereas a systematic exploration of Ellesmere Land is projected, always within easy reach of a base of supplies: resolved, that the Anthropological Society of Washington heartily indorse both the exploration and the plan of operations proposed by Mr. Robert Stein.

The west coast of Ellesmere Land is, in my opinion, the one field of exploration in all the arctic that promises the largest results with the least amount of labor and danger. (General A. W. Greely, U. S. Army.)

I am pleased to see you lay so much stress on the one point on which I have always insisted—that no step should be taken in arctic exploration