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in Europe or the Artics, involves a certain risk of diaster--of being unable to get the craft back to her shelter. This is shown in our case, but also in the cases of Zeppelin and other airships in Germany, and in the loss of the Ptrie, which got away from the French solders and was never found. 
Second--There seems to be no more risk in making these traps at our base than in making them in Europe. 
Third--To make such trials in Europe means the expense and trouble of creating another complete plant for the purpose. 
Fourth--If a trial were made in Europe, then the ship must be demounted, be reassembled at our base in Spitzbergen, and another trial must be had there before deeming it prudent to set out on the long voyage. Therefore, why not have the trials at our base, where the equilebrator and retarder may be used, instead of in Europe, where they cannot be used?
At any rate, the America has been tried, thoroughly tested. The new ship needs another trial, and that she is to have at our base next summer. The headquarters at Dane's Island have been stocked with provisions and guarded by three men. Our latest reports are that the airship hall and all the buildings are in good condition.
We have the ship, the headquarters establishment, the trained staff and workmen. In view of the work we have already done and the valuable experience we have gained, in view of the perfection and test of the airship and her auxiliaries and in our greater knowledge of what it is necessary to do and to guard against, it is not rash to assume that in our forthcoming campaign we shall have a chance of success. The undertaking is large, difficult, complex. In some respects it is a new trade, and we have worked at it long enough to learn it. What we most fear is that unfavorable weather conditions may again prevent our starting. But a season at Spitzbergen that should strike a mean between the very good summer of 1906 and the very bad summer of 1907 would be suficient

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