Nebraska Newspapers

    DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD; DAKOTA CITY, NEBRASKA.
" i'1"11" ""' " i ..., i, i i i i i I,
Making Tomorrows
World
By WJILTE-R. WILLIAMS, LL.D.
(Dean tflht School of Joutnallim qflht Unfrtttllv tMluoarO
GERMANY A
Munich, Bava
ria. "Every So
cial Democrat Is
synonymous with
enemy of tho na
tion and ot tho
fatherland." Tho
words arc from
an official letter
of William II.,
emporor of Ger
many. Again and
again, in spirit If
not In exact sub
stance, ho has ro
peatcd tho state
ment Nor has
the German em
peror, more pow
erful than any
other European
monarch, hesitat
ed to use his en
ormous power toward suppression of
tho party which ho so vigorously de
nounces. Electorate 30 Per Cent, Socialist.
Ho has allied with him In this de
termined opposition tho clerical and
conservative classes, combinations of
capital and possessors of prlvllego,
tho agricultural interests, tho less
radical liberals of tho middle class
and yet nearly one voter in ovory
threo In Gormany 1b a Social Demo
crat, tho largest single party is tho
Social Democratic party and Its mom
bershlp, organized on military and
woll-dlsclpllned lines, is, with occa
sional and temporary lapscB, steadily
increasing. Tho figures which politi
cal statistics furnish showing its
progress are sufficiently Impressive as
to its growing strength and Import
ance. In thirty years it has increased
tho number of Its voters from 300,000
to more than 3,000,000, from 0 to 30
per cent, of tho total number ot votes
pollod, wl.th 110 representatives, do
splto an absurdly Inequitable suf
frage system, In a relchstag or par
liament of 307 members.
Far more lmpreBslvo evon than
thoso flguros aro tho conversations
of tho Man in tho Stroot, tho pro
gram which to him Is gospol, tho or
ganization which ho has built up and
maintained, and Vorwaorts (Forward)
the trenchant dally nowspapor which
ho reads. These will count, whether
wo approve or disapprove, In tomor
row's Germany, and tomorrow's Gor
many Is to loom large In tomorrow's
world.
What Social Democrats Demand.
Tho party platform or program
may be summed up In few words. Tho
editor of Vorwaorts declared It thus:
"Adult sutfrago, one voto for each
man and each woman; govorninont
responsible to parliament, local self
government; referendum; voluntary
militia; freodom of speech and of tho
press; equality of woman and man
boforo tbo law; no state church; com
pulBory1 attendance, with frco tuition
at state schools; froo legal proceed
ings, medical attendance and burial,
provided by the state; progressive In
como tax and succession duty."
In advocating this program the
Social Democratic party has other and
lees clearly defined purposes. It 1b
committed, through Its loaders, to an
attack upon tho church which has led
Its more radical members and official
utterances to approve atholatn. "Tho
party Is confessedly and entirely
atheistic," said a Berlin Conservative
Journalist. On tho contrary, tho man
In tho Btreet, while attacking tho
church as a kind ot class privllogo
U frequently careful to distinguish be
tween church and religion, between
eccleBlastlcism and the Dolty. In
deed, an entire section of tho party
or ally of It, the Christian Social
Union, as Its rarao BUggeBts, 1b at vari
ance with tho doctrines ot atheism.
For Peace and His Throne.
The abolition of monarchy la, of
course, held as an end to which tho
Social Democrats look forward. It Is
not Btrango that tho emperor views
the party with such scornful and
vehement disapproval. Tho assertion
1b often heard In German cafes that
the. emperor, war lord aB ho 1b, and
seeker after military renown, has
been constrained to become an advo
to of peace many times, and Just
flow in the latest but not tho last
Balkan struggle, for tho predominant
reason that a war might and probably
would mean tho downfall of the
monarchy. Peace and a throno have
been preferred abovo war and Wil
liam Hohenzollern, privato cltlzon.
The kaiser keeps his own counsel and
the assertion may bo wholly unjusti
fied, but thoro have beou twenty-five
years without war and tho emperor at
Berlin still reigns and rules.
Tho purposo of a program 1b some
times raoro indicative of a party's do-
slro than tho program Itself, This
huge worklngmen'B party has ex
pressed iU purposo In much writing.
Of making many books ou the Social
Democratlo party In Gormany thoro is
no end. Much translated quotation
therefrom is a weariness to tho flosh.
A single quotation from an official
handbook of tho partywith an early
announcement ot purpose, furnished
at the office of Vorwaerts, tho official
organ, will cuffice:
"Tho aim of Social Democracy Is
not to divide all propdrty, but to com
bine it and use it for tho development
and improvement ot mankind, in order
to give to all a llfo worthy of man.
Work shall becomo a duty for all
men able to work. The word of tho
Bible, "He that does not work neither
shall he eat shall becomo a true
word.
Declares for Love Marriage.
"Marriage, in contradiction to religi
ous teachings, is in innumerable
cases a financial transaction pure
and simple. Woman bos value in tho
eyes of man only when nho has a
fortune and tho idoro money sho has
tie h'-ber rises her valuo Therefore
t -' y-i i -op me a b hsIiipsb and
Jew JUhjiHtiT! i ad
REPUBLIC?
thousands meet in tho marriago mar
ket, for Instance, by advertisements
In nowspaporB, in which a husband
or a wlfo Is sought In tho same way
In which a houso or a pig Is offered
for sale. Consequently unhappy mar
riages havo never been more numer
ous than at tho prcBout tlmo, a stato
of affairs which Is in contradiction to
tho real nature of marriage. Social
Democracy desires that marriages bo
concluded sololy from mutual lovo and
esteem, which Is only possible If man
and woman nro frco and Independent,
If each has a free existence and an
Individual personality, and Is there
fore) not compelled to buy tho other
or to bo bought. This state of freo
dom and equality is only posslblo In
tho socialistic society.
"Who desires to belong to a church
shall not bo hindered, but bo only
shall pay for the expenses of his
church together with his cc-rollglon-lsts.
"The schools and tho wholo educa
tional system shall bo separated from
tho church and religious societies, bo
causo education la n civil matter.
Wants Brotherhood of Nations.
"Tho God of Christians Is not a
German, French, Husslan or English
God, but a God of all men, an Interna
tional God. God Is the God of lovo
and pcaco and thcroforo It borders
upon blasphomy that tho priests ot
different Christian nations lnvoko this
God ot lovo to givo victory to their na
tion in tho general slaughter. It Is
equally blasphomows If tho priest of
ono nation prays tho God of all na
tions for a victory over another na
tion. In striving to found a brother
hood of nations and the peaceful
co-operation of nations In tho servlco
of civilization, Soclnl Democracy acts
August Bebel.
In a most Christian spirit, and trios
to realize what tho Christian priests
of nil nations, together with tho
Christian monarchs, hlthorto would
not or could not realize. By combin
ing tho workers of nations, Social
Domocracy trios to offoct a federation
Of nations In which ovnrv ntntn en
joys equal rights and in which the
peculiarities of tho inner cnaractor
ot every nation may peacefully do
velop." Tho antl-Bociallst finds In theso
principles attacks upon the stato, so
ciety, the monarchy, tho family tho
church, and is quick to denounce both
program and principles.
Leaders Able; Followers Devoted.
The Social Democratic party Is ro
markablo In tho high personal char
acter and ability of its leaders and in
the well-nigh blind devotion of the
followers. Almost exclusively a party
of worklngmon, strongest in the In
dustrial centers, its leaders are mon
from tho ranks who, in many cases,
givo their services without pay, sup
porting thomsolvos and thoir families
by dally toll In shop or factory.
Tho funeral In Switzerland of Aug
ust Bebel, long tho leader ot the
party, took place a fow days ago. Tho
praUes to Babel's Intellect and char
acter woro numerous evon in tho gov
ernment press. Boforo his portrait,
draped in crepe in thu window of the
Vorwaorts newspaper office, was seon
a vorltablo procession of German
worklngmon, roveroutly pausing to
pay sllont tribute. While Bobol was
allvo tho gToat German historian,
ProfosBor Mommson, had written:
"Everybody in Gormany knows that
with brains Uko thoso ot Bobol it
would bo possible to furnish forth a
dozon noblemen from oast of tho Elbo
in a fashion that would mako them
shine among their peers." Of the fol
lowers Professor Mommson wroto:
"Tho ' devotion, tho solf-Bacriflclng
spirit ot tho Soolal Democratlo masses,
Impresses ovon thoso who aro far
from sharing tholr alms."
Some Cause of Party's Growth.
Tho Gorman government tried forco
to suppress tho growth of tho Social
Domocratlo party and thon prosecu
tion of its loadors, but without avail.
Workmen's Insurance followed minus
tho unemployed benefit of Omnt
Britain but this, too, had no offoct.
Tho purty continued to grow. Tho
Immorality suggested by tho adver
tising in tho newspapers and by tho
terriblo fact that ono of ovory ten
births in Germany 1b illegitimate, the
low wages and crowdod housing of tho
working classes, tho official caste sys
tem, oven tho democracy taught In
tho schools, where sons of kaiser and
duty laborer oit on tho samo bench
wore causes contributing to Ita
growth.
Tho founder ot tho Social Demo
cratic party in Germany was William
Llebknecht who began, at tho sugges
tion of his wife, the movement. Lleb
knecht was a poor Journnllft When
1 ho had created and organized the
party and was serving In his old age
as editor of Vorwaorts, after having
I boon in Jail from time to time for
his political opinions boldly ex
pressed, ho was sharply cross
examlnod by a commltteo of tho party
as to his household oxpensos and
censured for keeping a domOBtlc
servant and accepting a salary ns
editor instead of living llko an ordi
nary worklngmon.
Not a Job-Getting Party.
Tho party has succeeded to tho
present tlmo In maintaining a strict
democratic equality and a rigid disci
pline among Its members. It Is aid
ed, of course, In Its discipline by tho
spirit of organization which is drilled
Into tho German from childhood. Its
leadors aro nover beyond party crlcl
clsm, but its masses act as n unit
under the leaders direction. It has
added strength because It has not por
mltted Itself to bo used by politicians
to got Jobs It has been a causo which
has held tho members together rather
than a campaign to get offices. All
this, added to tho considerable and
widespread Industrial discontent, has
Increased tho membership of the
party, bringing to It nt tho elections
Tllfinv hfinlrnra mnrnlinnta nrwl nrnfna
slonal men of ndvancod Liberal views j
who were disappointed at tho Ineffect- (
lveness of tho Llboral parties which !
llko moat else In, Germany llvo under
govornmont inspiration nnd dis
pleased nt tho Ineptitude of their lead
ers. Is Substantially a Unit.
What is tho future of tho Social
Democratic party? Others than tho
Gorman kaiser and those of tho estab
lished order aro asking this question
most seriously. In part duo to Its
influence, though perhaps moro large
ly duo to tho paternalism of tho gov
ernment nnd other causes? much
progress has boon made In the wide
field of social reform. Tho party has
remained substantially a unit. Bebol's
towering lntlucnco aided In maintain
ing this unity. Ills successor, with
out Bobol's historical Importance
though possesBcd of his ability, may
not bo nblo to prevent tho riso of dls
cordant factions nnd tho destruction
of tho party, as so many other parties
havo boon destroyed, on tho rock of
personal ambition.
Already throo distinct schools or
factions struggle for supremacy. Tho
older and moro radical faction wish
to Insist on all their reforms in tholr
entirety or nono; tho younger, or re
visionist elements, apparently now
tho strouccr, aro willing to Join with
tho Liberals and others to got half -a
loaf today rather than no bread, ex
pecting tho wholo loaf tomorrow; a
third and Influential faction seek to
harmonize tho old and tho now
schoolB, preserving unity of action.
Party's Future Provision.
Discussion of tho general Btrlko as
a political weapon is ncuto Just now
as Is criticism by tho radicals of their
representatives In the relchstag who
voted, according to tho revisionist
principles, for direct Instead ot indi
rect taxation for miltalry purposes as
tho, lessor of two ovlls. These discus
sions are of loss consequence than
consideration of tho future of the
party as a wholo. Thoro nro no signs
that this future will bo less Important
In tho omplro than has been tho
party's pnst. Indeed tho contrary ap
pears probablo. Tho Social Demo
cratic party, In a country where mon
nnd women aro educated to under
stand nnd do what they aro told with
out asking for any reasons, Is Buporb
ly organized. Its leaders havo cour
ago, common senso, ability, tho con
fidence of tho rank and file. It is tho
ono potent political forco for democ
racy in Germany today. All that It
hopes It may not soon, if at all, ac
complish. Under its Influence, how
ovor, or tho Influonco of the party or
partios into which It breathes life,
bureaucracy, feudalism and casto, now
so obnoxious In this mighty nation,
will be shorn ot much of tholr of
fenslvenoBB nnd power. Short of so
cialism, Gormany may bo content
with a republic.
Whatever elao may como from the
determined struggles' of tho Social
Democrats, it is certain that William
11 Is tho last German emporor who
will wrlto in tho Goldon Book of
Munich "Suproma Lox ReglB Volun
tas." His successor, kaiser or presi
dent, will wrlto rather tho motto on
Missouri's coat of arms, "Salus Popull
Suprema Lex Esto." Ho will llvo up
to tho motto, or, falling, lose his Job
or, perhaps, oven his head. For this
Germany has the Social Democratic
party, aided and abetted by tho Ger
man emporor himself, to thank.
(Copyright, WW, by Joseph D. Bowles.)
Dangerous Celluloid.
Celluloid, being tho first cousin of
gunootton, and closely related to ni
troglycerine, Is highly inflammablo,
and should nevor bo brought in close
proximity to a llama.
Celluloid 1b a compound of colluloso
or vogetablo flbrlno, reduced by acids
to guncotton. Colluloso la found in
all vegotablo llfo, particularly in
young plants. It Is a starch-llko sub
stance. Cotton fiber Is principally col
luloso. After tho cotton fiber Is cleaned it is
submergod in acids whloh quickly re
duce It to colluloso in tho form ot a
thick, pasty, semi-transparent mass.
Camphor is added further to thicken
It, and tho required coloring matter
1b thoroughly mixed in, after which
tho colluloso is molded by heat and
pressure into various useful and orna
montal objects, such aB combs, boxes,
pins, paper cuttors, ornaments, oto.
Too Green.
During his laBt vlBlt to America Sir
Gilbert Parker, tho novelist, bested a
Now York odltor in a discussion of
books. Sir Gilbert told tho story nt a
literary luncheon. ,
"Wo were discussing books and au
thors," said tho novelist, "and I
quoted Lord Rosoberry'a dictum that
most books in a library ought to be
burned.
"'Lord RoBoborry Is mistaken,' the
odltor retorted; 'it la not most books,
but most authors, that ought to bo
burned."
"But tho worm turnod on ita
tyrant," concludod Sir Gilbert, "and
said:
"'That may bo truo, but. Judging
from tho publishers' share ot tho
proflta of tho authors' labors, moat
authors aro too green to bum "
Fit Mm m "'Smf;'t rm
' K III ERNEST SHACKLETON'S coming tffe? ''iSMiS, rf& A ' 'F'M
IK ERNEST SHACKLETON'S coming
trip across tho Antarctic continent,
with tho South pole as a half-way sta
tion, Is probably tho most daring
Journey ever undertaken by man. It
reminds one of tho conqueror Cortoz
burning his ships behind him. On
previous expeditious with tho pole as
goal the oxplorers havo laid a succes
KM with the South pole as a half-way sta- $?&; ijBSiByHBC '&.- Sff .'&TZy$
ANjOkME Journey ever undertaken by man. It Bf WSElL rmt$$?t'i' ' " - '?"'' '" IMp&P sr "'l
S?"HJ) reminds one of tho conqueror Cortoz mMWKKKS S K - r ""' -'i " " BKSggPV ' J
sion of bases upon which thoy could depend when
returning. Sir Ernest will push straight onward,
from sea to sea, not reckoning at all on tho pos
sibility that an expedition may como a little way
to meet him.
For several years Sir Ernest held the record of
approaching closer to tho South polo than any
other man. Ho feels keenly the dimming of Brit
ish fauio by tho exploits of Amundsen and Peary.
With no moro poles to conquer, ho might well sit
down and woop, like Alexander tho Grent. But
Instead he has sot himself this unique feat.
Tho news that Sir Ernetit oxpects to como to
tho United States before leaving for the south
seas has stirred great interest among Americans
over plans for the exploring expedition. Sir
Ernest Is very popular hero, where ho has lectured
extensively. It is probablo that wealthy Amer
icans will add considerably to tho funds of hlB ex
pedition. Ho started on his Inst expedition ?100,000 in
debt. It took him two yenrs after his return to
pay off this debt and it wns hard work, too. This
tlmo he has resolved not to run Into debt nga'n.
He has $250,000 guaranteed by a friend whose
name has not been made public. This sum ho will
mako do If necessary, but he will bo nblo to
carry on scientific work much moro extensively
If ho can obtain a further sum of ?100,000.
Sir Ernest has announced that ho will experi
ment with aeroplane motors and propellers for
travel over the snow this winter, his laboratories
to bo In Canada or Siberia. He hopes to perfect
this novel substitute for tho Eskimo dog, which
he will also uso, and tho hardy Shetland pony.
Besides aeroplanes and parts of aeroplanes,
Shackloton will take advantngo of wireless, tho
movies, prepared foods, and many other of the
newest inventions.
Ho bolloves he will have the most perfectly
planned expedition that over sot out, and as ho
hlmaelf helped to equip many others expeditions
and has been a member of several, h'e ought to
know.
Sir Ernest Shackloton is now In the prima of
life, a splendid man physically and possessing an
inspiring presence. Ho Is a born leador. Ho
makes all about blm enthusiastic, especially when
th,e fire of memories of the frozen south moves
him. Ho la forty years old pictures taken of
him on his antarctlo trips before ho haa had a
shave mako him appear sixty-five, whllo In hla
street clothos on tho Strand he appears a virile
thirty.
To the layman it may bo surprising to learn that
thoro ore 6,000,000 square miles of unknown terri
tory on the continent of Antarctica. This gives an
idea of tho possibilities of dtscovory open to Sir
Ernest. Moro than halt his Journey la said to be
laid along a now route and, if things go right, almost-all
of it will traverso virgin fields. It is no
overstatement to call it the biggest polar Journey
evor attempted.
Briefly stated, it will cross tho dead continent
of snow, mountain ranges, volcanoes and frightful
storms from tho side ot tho Western hemisphere
to the sldo ot the Eastern hemisphere.
The main party will leave civilization at Buenos
Aynu and roach It again in Chrlstchurch, or some
other Now Zealand city.
Tho start will bo from Argentina In October ot
this year, and if a good landing Is mado on the
shore ot Woddell sea by tho boglnnlng of Novem
ber, a shore party will proceed immediately
across. In this case tho expedition should reach
Ross sea, on the other sldo, by March, 1915.
But if tho shore party has hard luck, It will
content Itself with laying a series ot caches and
will then return to tho Wcddell sea shore, start
ing out again a year later.
Tho expedition will havo two ships. The first,
which carries Shackloton to tho Antarctlo conti
nent, will do work In tracing tho shore of tho con
tinent to tho west, and will go back to South
America before the close ot navigation, return
ing tho next year to take up a party which will
winter on tho shore of Wcddell sea nnd carry out
scientific work in the so-cnllod "Weddell quad
rant" Long sledgo Journoys will bo taken "cast
and weBt of tho base by this party
Tho second ship will approach the continent
from tho othor, or Ross sou, sldo, and tako back
Shackloton, according to his plans. If Shnckleton
HOLLAND'S
Llttlo Holland Is about to begin the
great work of draining the Zuyder Zee.
It Is oxpected that 17 years will bo
required to mako the entire area now
covered by water fit for habitation and
cultivation About 21,700 acres ot land
land are already being annually re
claimed, and this reclamation is likely
to continue for about ten years Tho
reclaimed lards ot tho Zuyder Zco will
bo sold by ho stato In small lota and
?z3k.sm$mM& s &&& V',-' 'fs. ,1
I iriA.,.m -t
5
crosses tho first season, ho will reach civilization
again by the middlo of April, 1915. Otherwise, it
will bo a year later.
This second vessel will sail from New Zealand
about the same time aa the Weddell sea ship sails
south. On landing at a prearranged base, the
second party will send a sledging expedition as
far south as possible, to latitude 83, If practicable,
but this expedition will return in time to go north
again before tho close of navigation. Tho expedi
tion will endeavor to lay a series of depots along
what may be the last stages ot Shackleton's route.
But Shackleton will not depend on them In any
way. They may not be laid at all. If Shackloton
doesn't arrivo this season, tho second ship will
return south the next year again.
Five months Is the time Shackleton estimates
as necessary for his crossing of the Bouth polar
continent. Ho allows ten days for delays by bliz
zards. The minimum dlstanco from sea to sea is
1,700 miles, but It Is probable that Sir Ernest will
try to cover new ground throughout nnd so go
much farther.
Tho "transarctlc party," aa Sir -Ernest calls
it, will begin its Journey with 120 dogs, two
aledgea driven by aeroplane propellers with aero
plane engines, and an aeroplane with clipped
wings to "tarri" over the ice. But a largo part of
the work of transport will bo by dogs. Dogs will
eat their fellows' fleBh, whllo ponlea will not.
Motor aledgea have been found to be practical
ly useless in the Antarctic, as tho amount of work
put on the engine when passing over varying sur
faces generally causes the motor to break down.
Sir Ernest proposes to build an ordinary sledge,
larger than tho UBUal size, and on this to mount
an aeroplano engine, with an aeroplane propeller
in front. Ho figures that a sledge ot this descrip
tion is capable of dragging a ton at live or six
miles an hour.
Instead of one sleeping bag, each explorer will
carry three, so that when one Is icod up it can
be discarded. Tho tents will be mado of threo-ply
wood, strong enough to support a dome-shaped
covering of snow, thus insuring moro warmth.
Tho full complement of the short party will bo
12 men, and six of thoso will mnko the Journey
across. Both of tho ships will bo fitted to burn oil
instead of coal, as tho liquid fuel extonds the
radius of action aud renders tho vessels Inde
pendent of ballast. The ships, which will carry
30 mon altogether, will bo fully equipped with
cages and tanks for bringing homo llvo penguins
and senls, bucIi as have nover been taken from
tho antarctic regions.
Each ship will have a biologist, geologist and
physicist, and tho throo from tho first ship will
bo stationed in her winter quartors in tho Weddoll
NEW LAND
i
gradually, so as not to depress exist
ing prices, It Is estimated that at
least 40,000 personB will bo required to
cultlvato this reclaimed sea land,
which will bo usod for the grow
ing of root crops, sugar beets, pota
toes, peas and other vegetables. "It
ia catlmatod," says La Gazotto do Hol
land, "that tbo value of theso crops
will bo nearly ?30,000,000. Tho pros
ont Zuyder Zeo fisheries employ 3,017
jus 5Zr2DGrs
sea. Another party of threo
known tracts along the coast
vUv!v " . ' -.VJS
T.i .jmv" 4X
men and produce herrings, flounders,
anchovies, smelts and shrimps to the
valuo ot $835,000 a year. Tho boats
In use in the Zuyder Zee will bo un
suitable for Ashing In tho North aea,
and new boats will bo supplied by
tho state to enable the flshormen to
work that sea."
Spontaneous Generation Life's Origin.
Dr. Charles Bastion brings forward
fresh evidence Intended to provo tbo
spontaneous generation origin of life
From Bolutions of sodium sillcato and
4 r
will explore un-
near the winter
quarters.
Tho aeroplane with clipped wings will not be
able to fly. Its wings will take practically all the
weight off the wheels.
Wireless and moving picture outfits will not be
carried, it Is expected, on the transcontinental
trip. But one cinematograph machine will go with
tho party working from Robs sea and anothor
with tho party working about Weddell sea. Theso
films will have both scientific and popular inter
est. Pocket wireless outfits having a range of
from 100 to 300 miles will also be carried by
these two expeditions, but tho main party will not
attempt tho added weight of either device.
While tho North pole Is situated about two
miles beneath tho sea, the South polo is on the
plateau two mllos above- the sea. Tho conditions
of Journoys to tho two points are widely different.
In the North, within 500 miles of tho polo, in
summer tlmo, there are 100 different species of
flowerlng plants. There are no flowering planta
within 1,700 miles of tho South polo, and within
700 miles of it there is no plant or animal life of
any description whatever.
In the North you may expect to get the arctlo
hare and the ptarmigan on tho northermost land.
There are also bears and tho life in the sea.
On a trip to the North pole, the explorer sledgos
over a moving sea of Ice that packs up and
breaks up, and it la impossible to lay any depots.
The danger ot northern sledgo traveling is the
break-up of tbo ice and the opening of what are
called leads open water channels left by the
parting of tho ice.
In the South the difficulties are the varying na
ture of the snow surfaces, the fact that tho tem
peratures are much lower and tho danger ot
crevasses. IO the North one can fall 10 to 20 feet
Into the aea, but in the South one may fall 1,000
feet down a crevasse.
By this notable expedition, Sir Ernest hopes to
cut in two ono of tho largest, If not the largest,
white spaces yet remaining on the map. He ex
pects to solve the complete continental nature of
the Antarctic.
Especially ccienilsls would like to know
whether the great range of mountains on the
New Zealand aide of the Antarctic continent
really atrotches all the way across and is a con-'
tlnuatlon of tho Andos. This Victoria chain has
been traced to tho polo by Amundsen and other
explorers. Tho solving of tnis problem Is ot In
tense interest to geographers all ovor tho world.
The discovery of tfio great mountain range, which
la assumed to extend in a general way from tho
pole to Weddell Bea, would be one of tho biggest
geographical trlumps posslblo.
The geological results will also bo ot tho great
eat Bcientlflo valuo. The Weddell sea party will
take many specimens, and even the transconti
nental party will chip off pieces of nil exposed
rocks they find.
Continuous magnetic observations will be taken
all tho way from Woddell sea to Ross sea, as tho
route will lie not far from tho magnetic pole. In
formation of great valuo to navigators would be
learned.
Continuous scientific observations of the weath
er will also be taken, and theso should bo very
valuable when correlated with tho results obtained
by other expeditions.
Biological work will be thoroughly carried on,
and tho distribution of fauna and flora will bo
studied. Both tho ships will bo equipped for dredg
ing and sounding. All branches of scienco will
be mosV carefully attended to and tho net result
ought to be' a large Increase in human knowl
edge. But first and foremost, tho crossing of
tho polar continent, will be the main object of the
expedition.
pornltrato of iron, which wero boiled
20 minutes to destroy all life, he
claims to havo grown do novo moulds
and fungus germs. He maintains
these are genuine organlo growth and
adduces proof of their growth and
multiplication, with the formation of
filaments. Doctor Bastion concludos
that tho de novo origin ot living mat
ter la established beyond the region
of doubt At tho somo tlmo ho fully
recognizes that the actual steps ot the
spontaneous generation process re
main to be discovered
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