stefansson-wrangel-09-08-054-003

3.

the Russian flag was hoisted on the Island
by the Russian Admiralty instructions carried
out by one W.A. Wilkitsky.

In addition I saw a copy of a letter from
Geddes to Balfour dated June 5th. setting forth
that the Washington Times a Hearst paper had a
report a few days previous to the effect that the
U.S. Govt steamer "Bear" was proceeding North to
Wrangel Island to investigate the U.S. Govt claim
to the property. Geddes went on to say that he
had requested further information as to the "Bears"
activity from his Pacific correspondents.

The Ottawa attitude as I interprete it today is
that Russian undoubtedly has a moral claim to
the island, and we have a well grounded legal
claim, Cory now has no doubt on this score