CHAPTER I 

 THE VALUE OF ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION 



IT has been some years now since it was my fortune 

 to be a member of one of the greatest expeditions 

 which set forth to explore the regions around the South 

 Pole. Over and over again I have been asked, ''What is 

 the use of polar exploration?" It seems advisable, 

 therefore, to consider this aspect of the problem, for 

 assuredly readers who see no value in the subject of 

 a book will not be tempted to read far beyond the first 

 page. 



It has been customary for promoters of a new ex- 

 pedition to dwell largely on the "quick returns" which 

 may accrue from exploring an unknown land. Some 

 good Antarctic friends of my own have, in this con- 

 nection, stressed the fact that Alaska was bought for a 

 song, when its resources were almost unknown, and 

 that its gold yield has made it a very profitable invest- 

 ment for the United States. Subconsciously, I fancy, 

 the hesitating supporter thinks, "Well, Alaska is a 

 mighty cold place ; so is Antarctica. Why shouldn't the 

 expedition find a second Yukon near the South Pole?" 

 Personally, I don't believe that this method of angling 

 for support does much good. The hard-headed busi- 

 ness man soon learns that hardly a single mineral prod- 

 uct and certainly no vegetable products of present value 



I 



