CAPTAIN AYLMERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether, consi- 1922 dering the loading part England has hitherto taken in Polar research, and the active energy now displayed by other maritime nations, the Admiralty are prepared to assist in any way the persevering efforts made by Commander Cheyne to organise another attempt to reach the North Pole, especially as the Premier of Canada, Sir John Macdonald, has expressed himself ready to co-operate if the Home Government will support Commander Cheyne's proposed attempt to reach the Pole?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, towards the close of 1880 a Committee, which had been formed to advance Commander Cheyne's project of Polar research, applied to the President and Council of the Royal Geographical Society for countenance and assistance. The details of the scheme were considered, and the reply expressed regret—
That the scheme, as explained by the statement, did not commend itself to the Council, nor, even were it feasible, did the means proposed to be adopted for encountering the great dangers and difficulties necessarily attendant upon such an enterprise appear sufficient.Naturally, the Admiralty are much influenced in such a matter by the opinion of the Geographical Society, and they see no reason to depart from the unfavourable opinion which they have, in concurrence with the Geographical Society, formed of Commander Cheyne's proposals with regard to Arctic exploration.