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stefansson-wrangel-09-12-046-001
TORONTO, Canada. Bank of Hamilton Bldg., .
Mrs. O. R. Wilcox, Secretary to V. Stefansson, c/o The American Geographical Society, Broadway at 156th St., New York, N.Y.
Dear Mrs. Wilcox: -
We duly received copies of the several cables you have sent to Mr. Stefansson, and we are at a loss to understand why we have not had some word from him as to what we may expect in the way of money to finance the expedition.
We are fast finding ourselves in a very critical position, which fact is emphasized by Mr. Noice's telegram, just received, which I have sent on to you at once.
Mr. Stefansson is thoroughly aware of the very limited period remaining in which to reach Wrangel Island this season, our understanding being that the open water is only for a matter of two or three weeks.
We cannot arrange for the necessary money or credit here, unless we do it on the basis of a public subscription to finance a rescue party for Allan Crawford.
We hope that before to-day closes we shall have some cable advice from Mr. Stefansson saying that the money required will be forthcoming.
In order to discover whether or not Lomen Brothers might advance the credit to enable the expedition to start, we took it upon ourselves to wire them this morning. We feel from what Mr. Noice has already said in his telegram that the hope of Lomen Brothers being able to extend credit is very remote.
I know that you share with us our anxiety in this whole matter, and I do hope that we have reassuring word from Mr. Stefansson within the next few hours.
Yours sincerely,