Decides Against America's Claim

Tesla Dashes Polar Cup from Nation's Lips — Trip by Dirigible Balloon "Easy."

To the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir: According to a Washington dispatch in your issue of the 26th ultimo, the hydrographic office of the Navy Department is preparing a new map with the North Pole as American territory. Evidently, there is a Moltke in the hydrographic office. Nevertheless, much will have to be done before the claim is recognized by other nations. Permit me to point out a few reasons why it is, for the time being, untenable:

First—"The conquest of the pole" is an act which partakes nothing of the nature of discovery conveying a moral if not legal right to national possession. For centuries the position of that imaginary point was accurately determined, hence its discovery is out of the question. To reach the pole is an achievement noteworthy only because of the hardships and perils involved. It is but a sportsman's exploit, an athletic feat, which entitles the performer to a trophy or price, and nothing more.

Second — The extent of the polar region is still to be defined. That itself may become a subject of unending dispute.

Third — The polar region is located in the center of an ocean which, be it frozen or not, is international property.

Fourth — The claim is further weakened by the fact that there can be nothing but frozen sea in that region, for the accumulation of water there is an unavoidable consequence of physical laws. This is strikingly illustrated by the old planet Mars, where for the greater part of the year virtually all the water is held in captivity at the poles.

Fifth — The measurements of the explorers were crude and uncertain, the sextant with an artificial horizon having been entirely depended upon to locate the pole. There are numerous obstacles to accurate observation in those regions, but the chief is that the air is filled with minute electrified crystals of ice which cause colorings, mirages and other effects of refraction. Under such conditions an error of as much as fifty miles is possible.

Sixth — There are no competent witnesses to verify the readings and observations. When a truth discovered is readily demonstrable witnesses are unnecessary, but in this particular instance, when immediate repetition of the experience is impossible and all traces are effaced, a corroboration is indispensable.

It is very likely that under the circumstances scientific institutions such as the Geographical Society or Geodetic Survey will accept the reports as nothing more than unconfirmed theories, especially since it must be plain to every member, that these up-to-date polar explorations have little in common with the unselfish efforts of the early pioneers, being rather undertakings of daring men attracted by adventure hazard spirited enough to take all sorts of desperate risks for achieving fame and popularity.

In view of the great popular interest, which has been intensified to a degree of national feeling, it is necessary, if this country desires to retain the claim, that another expedition be immediately organized, either by popular subscription or appropriation through Congress. The dirigible balloon has been so far perfected that the exploration of the polar regions by its means is a simple and easy task. In Germany preparations, strongly supported by the Emperor, have already been undertaken, but it is very probable that if this country would signify at once the intention to organize such an expedition its wishes would be respected, for it is an undeniable fact that, however imperfect these recent attempts have been, they go toward laying the foundation to a just national claim, and certainly are a testimony to the wonderful energy and pluck of Americans.

New York, Oct. 1, 1909.
NIKOLA TESLA.