Letter from Vilhjalmur Stefansson to Edward FitzGerald, 3 June 1921
Date3 June, 1921
AbstractCorrespondence, newspaper articles, and other material related to the ill-fated 1921 expedition to Wrangel Island.
RepositoryRauner Special Collections Library, Dartmouth College.
Call Numberstefansson-wrangel-09-05-021-001
Persistent Identifier
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Hudson's Bay
Healdsburg June 3, 1921
Dear Mr. FitzGerald:
With reference to our exchange of telegrams about
Wrangell Island:
Wrangell Island:
(1) As outlined in my previous correspondence: Both the
United States and Great Britain have under international law some
claim tosovereignty sovereignty over Wrangel Island, of which
the British are the stronger. Both have lapsed except that
either can be revived by an occupation by nationals of
either party andof prior occupation by one country cancels the
claims of the other. Russia has no claim to Wrangel
Island nor had any country but the U.S. and Britain.
United States and Great Britain have under international law some
claim to
the British are the stronger. Both have lapsed except that
either can be revived by an occupation by nationals of
either party and
claims of the other. Russia has no claim to Wrangel
Island nor had any country but the U.S. and Britain.
(2) There is already talk at Washington about
an expedition to the north next year (naval) probably under
command after formerly British but now Americanized
Captain Bartlett.
an expedition to the north next year (naval) probably under
command after formerly British but now Americanized
Captain Bartlett.
(3) I have been told by an employee of the H. Liebe's Company
that they will establish a post in Wrangel ("when
they can"). I think this will be this year or next.
that they will establish a post in Wrangel ("when
they can"). I think this will be this year or next.
(4) Wrangell will become American or British according
to which nations (through its nationals) first takes
possession. If we don't take possession this year we shall
lose or else have a race for it next year, with consequent
disputes.
to which nations (through its nationals) first takes
possession. If we don't take possession this year we shall
lose or else have a race for it next year, with consequent
disputes.
(2)
(5) If you land in Wrangel Eskimos under a man
trained on my expeditions you will have no expense of
houses, stores, etc. All they need is tools, arms and
ammunition, tents, etc. Such a man, E. Lorne
Knight, is eager for the chance. He would go on
shares of foxes caught and so would Eskimos.
trained on my expeditions you will have no expense of
houses, stores, etc. All they need is tools, arms and
ammunition, tents, etc. Such a man, E. Lorne
Knight, is eager for the chance. He would go on
shares of foxes caught and so would Eskimos.
(6) I urge you to occupy Wrangel on the Company's
account. If not, will you land for me a party
& paying reasonable transportation charges. My chief
(and almost only) object is to safeguard the island for
Canada. I know Canada does not see its value
now and will do nothing herself. That is why
someone with vision must do something.
account. If not, will you land for me a party
& paying reasonable transportation charges. My chief
(and almost only) object is to safeguard the island for
Canada. I know Canada does not see its value
now and will do nothing herself. That is why
someone with vision must do something.
(7) My party can safeguard British sovereignty
and next year you can continue the work by establishing
a post there.
and next year you can continue the work by establishing
a post there.
(8) Wrangel will, of itself, be valuable soon. That
is not the main point.
is not the main point.
(9) The main point is that whenever voyages across
the Atlantic became safe and common, people will go in
summer from England (Europe) to Japan, etc., by way
of the Polar regions. Wrangel will then become a
the Atlantic became safe and common, people will go in
summer from England (Europe) to Japan, etc., by way
of the Polar regions. Wrangel will then become a
(3)
invaluable way station. Both in peace and war
it will be beyond price. [Please believe that if
you do not see this, it is because you are mis
informed about the North. If I could talk to you I could
convince you easily].
it will be beyond price. [Please believe that if
you do not see this, it is because you are mis
informed about the North. If I could talk to you I could
convince you easily].
(10) Please reply by night letter. If you
still feel you cannot do this — cannot carry
men at my expense even — I shall try to
engage a separate vessel to land my party in Wrangel.
I would have no difficulty in doing this if it
were not that I am tied by my lecture contract
and cannot go to interview persons who might
help me.
still feel you cannot do this — cannot carry
men at my expense even — I shall try to
engage a separate vessel to land my party in Wrangel.
I would have no difficulty in doing this if it
were not that I am tied by my lecture contract
and cannot go to interview persons who might
help me.
V. Stefansson.
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