1909] RE-EXPLORE WILKES LAND. 47 



The North Pole is the last great geographical prize the earth has to 

 offer. Its attainment will be accepted as the sign of man's final physical con- 

 quest of the globe; and it will always stand as one of the great milestones 

 in the world's history. 



The attainment of the North Pole is, in my opinion, our manifest 

 privilege and duty. Its attainment by another country would be in the 

 light of a reproach and criticism. 



To which the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Charles H. 

 Darhng, replied very sensibly ,^^ showing that he recognized that 

 the South Pole was just exactly as important geographically as the 

 North Pole: 



The attainment of the Pole should be your main object. Nothing short 

 will suffice. The discovery of the Poles is all that remains to complete 

 the map of the world. That map should be completed in our generation 

 and by our countrymen. 



Commander Peary also made no reference to south polar prob- 

 lems in his book " Nearest the Pole," published in 1907. 



In December, 1906, however, the writer sent a copy of "Ant- 

 arctica " to Commander Peary, also calling his attention to the 

 article " Wilkes Land." Commander Peary replied as follows : 



Washington, D. C. 



December 14, 1906. 

 Dear Mr. Balch: 



I have the copy of " Antarctica " and thank you very much for the 

 valuable present. I shall read it through at the earliest possible opportunity. 

 The accompanying pamphlets are also extremely interesting. Accept my 

 best thanks for all. 



The references which you give I shall certainly look up and add to my 

 library. 



I greatly appreciate your kindly words and look forward to the pleasure 

 of seeing you again on the 21st. 



Very sincerely, 



R. E. Peary, 

 2014, I2th Street, N. W. 



Commander Peary, after the necessity for American exploration 

 in the Antarctic was brought thus to his notice, evidently studied 

 up the matter and in 1908 he put himself on record as willing to 



^Bulletin American Geographical Society, Vol. XXXV., 1903, p. 376. 



PROC. AMER. PHIL. SOC, XLVIII. I9I D,'PRINTED JULY 2, I9O9. 



