stefansson-wrangel-09-27-066

99-A

the vote was made on the basis of the followin g written appeal
summparizing (though by no means completely) many conversations I
had had both with the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Interior:

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"Ottawa, Aug. 8, 1922.

Dear Mr. Cory:

Attached is the brief statement you aslced for to be presented
to Council on Friday. Please urge upon Council that there are on
Wrangell Island four men in Canadian service whose lives are in
danger. The arctic summer is nearly over.

Respectfully,

(Signed) V. Stefansson.

Hon. W. W. Cory,
Deputy Minister of the Interior,
Ottawa, Ontario.

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Statement Regarding Men Now in Danger
On Wrangell Island

The facts with regard to the Expedition now on Wrangell
Island are in the hands of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the
Interior. The men vrent to Wrangell Island to hold itfor the Empire
and Canada, and I had no other motive in sending them there. I have
spent on this enterprise all my own money and all I can borrow. Our
claims to the island are clear and we should hold it. But the four
men there have now been isolated for one year; they may be ill for
all we know. They were confident, as I was, that I could get support
to send a ship to them. We could have borrowed money had we received
a lea.se in time, but this is now probably too late. A ship can be
chartered in Nome to take supplies to Wrangell and to bring out such
of the men as want to come out - total cost of charter and supplies
about $5,000.00. Can the Government advance this money in some way? -
details of repayment, etc., to be settled later.

When our men were on Wrangell in 1914 the American Govern-
ment sent a cutter for them at many times the cost of the present
enterprise. These now are our own men - a Canadian expedition
engaged in a service for Canada. They have already accomplished their
task and now need help.

Our arrangements are all made through the Stefansson Arctic
Exploration and Development Company, Credit Foncier Building,
Vancouver. Credit should be telegraphed there so arrangements can
be made with Nome.

This Company was incorporated for the single purpose of
securing Wrangell Island to Canada.

(Signed) V. Stefansson.

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The season of 1922 proved to be particularly icy in the region
north and northwest of Bering Straits. Contrary to popular opinion,