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of the expedition without having completely ruined those
distant regions; for even Bering, far removed from all
selfishness, was scarcely able in this regard to keep his
men in check. The only fault of which the brave man
can be accused, is that his too great leniency was as
detrimental as the spirited and oftentimes inconsiderate
conduct of his subordinates.” It is undoubtedly true that
Bering was not fully equal to the task; but no one would
have been equal to this task. It is possible that his
humane conduct impaired the work of the expedition, but
this allegation still lacks proof, and Sokoloff, who wrote
his book as a vindication of Chirikoff against Von Baer’s
sympathetic view of Bering, must be read with this
reservation. It is downright absurd to hold the leader
responsible for the moral weaknesses of his officers, for he had
not chosen them, and was as dependent upon them as
they upon him. “It seems to me,” says Von Baer,
“that Bering has everywhere acted with the greatest
circumspection and energy, and also with the greatest
forbearance. The whole expedition was planned on such a
monstrous scale that under many another chief it would
have foundered without having accomplished any results
whatever.”
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