Alpena Weekly Argus

Another Arctic Expedition.

The fever of discovery that pants for the cooling influences of the Arctic circle is by no means confined to America. On the contrary, those nations in Europe most closely allied to us are taking active measures to effect what just now the enterprising explorers of America are only enthusiastically talking about. The English Government has just announced its purpose to send out a North Polar expedition, for which two steamers are to be equipped, one of which will be commanded by Commander Markham, of the Royal Navy, an officer of some experience in northern navigation, and well advanced in the confidence of the Government. Undoubtedly this expedition will proceed under fairer auspices than any that have preceded, and all the assistance that steam can afford will here be made available. Already Capt. Markham has proved steam power able to force a passage through ice that would render a sailing vessel helpless. The Germans are also making arrangements to explore the passage between Nova Zembla and Spitzbergen, and when the two purposes of these expeditions are effected geographers and scientists will experience a season of rejoicing. While admiring the enthusiasm that is at the bottom of these enterprises, it is still to be questioned whether the experience of the past and the probabilities of the future justify the sacrifices that must be undergone in pursuit of a malignant phantom that has lured so many of its followers already to destruction.