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men who went ahead fired with earnest thought and self-sacrifice, willing to risk both health and life accomplish their task. That the expedition is a sincere and serious undertaking is an established fact, and no reason can be found justifying its being held under suspicion or ridicule.”

Dr. Elias adds:

“One often hears the remark that the attempt (to reach the Pole by airship) should not be made until the problem of long distance flights in Europe has been solved. With this I do not agree. The conditions in the far north are much more favorable for long flights than they are here.”

The distinguished German scientist then calls attention to the relatively light winds usually prevailing in the Arctic regions in summer, the small variation of the temperature, the use of drag rope which is possible in the north and not in Europe, and to other conditions. He describes in detail all the preparations for the trial, and the voyage itself, approves most of the methods adopted and criticizes only some of the smaller details, says the “America’s” speed was up to the calculations, and concludes his review, made as a wholly disinterested observer, with these words:

“It would seem a pity if after so much careful preparation, and study of airships in civilized localities, this attempt in the far north should not be resumed. A long journey over the ice, perhaps a new record for the farthest north, would be almost certain. And in this way it would be proven that the airship is eminently suitable for polar exploration.”

The testimony of one such witness, a man of science, and for six weeks present at our headquarters, seeing everything and talking with everyone, should be sufficient answer to all criticisms or suspicious having their origin at a distance and in complete ignorance of the facts.