stefansson-wrangel-09-12-019-002

Mrs. O. R. Wilcox -2.

Thursday that it would not be possible for a meeting to
be arranged with the Cabinet.

On Saturday morning I saw Mr. Gibson, and
while he expressed the sympathy of himself and Depart-
ment towards the work that Mr. Stefansson was doing, and
while he realised the difficult position in which we found
ourselves in the matter of the expedition to Wrangel Island,
he had carefully considered the whole subject and discussed
it with his colleagues, and could see no way for the Govern-
ment to advance further moneys to us until they were apprised
by the Imperial authorities as to what action they wished
to take as a result of Mr. Stefansson’a representations.

Mr. Gibson felt that if the Government moved in
any way in regard to the present expedition they would lay
themselves open to serious criticism in view of the fact
that they had already advanced money for Mr. Stefansson to
go to England and place the whole matter before the Imperial
authorities.

Mr. Gibson further said that they had had no re-
port from Mr. Stefansson, and that he was sure that no money
would be forthcoming from Ottawa until the whole matter had
been disposed of by the Imperial authorities.

I can see the reasonableness of Mr. Gibson's
position, and I therefore wired you at once suggesting that
you cable to Mr. Stefansson and ask him to arrange to let
us have in Toronto to the credit of the Stefansson Arctic
Exploration & Development Company Limited at least $5,000
by July 15th. We are already committed for the major
portion of this sum, and I have no doubt that Mr. Stefan-
sson will be able to arrange for the money either through
the Imperial authorities or privately.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Mr.Brown.

I shall be away from Toronto from July 12th
until the 20th, but Mr. Anderson here will be able to take
care of everything in my absence, and to reach me if it is
necessary.

Yours sincerely
A J Taylor