THE NEWS ABROAD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1673, 13 February 1913, Page 5

THE NEWS ABROAD.

WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY.

MR ASQUITH'S MOVING TRIBUTE.

By Telegraph—Press Afsotiotion-Oopyrißht Londtfn, fctvunry IL

There is world-wide sympathy for th. loss of Captain Scott. Besolutions havo been received from foreign and colonial Legislatures.

The King has, telegraphed to Lord Curzon,; President of the Hpyal Geographical Society, expressing grief at tho Scott disaster, and his regret at the- loss to science and discovery.

Tho news of tho disaster caused a sensation in tho Hoiisc of Comirions.

Tho Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, in replying to Mr, Austen, Chamberlain, suid that all had been deeply impressed by the- last messago of Captain Scott. It was one of tho most moving and pathetic utterances in the annals of discovery. The messago was that of 'a brave, enduring man face to face with a tragic end to a career of self-wicrificb and devotion to t'ho country's service. His appeal would not foil n deaf ears. Mr. Asquith spoke with emotion, his voice being almost inaudible. The Hou>e was much moved. In the House .of Lords, Lord Enimott, replying to Lord Lamington, said the disaster 1 was one/almost unparalleled in the history Lf Antarctic exploration. They could ill afford to lose men so faithful to the discharge of their'duties. Captain Scott and his companions had given a splendid example and an inspiration to Englishmen for all tiine. , Relief Fund Opened, ' A national fund is being opened for the relief of the dependents of thoso lost. '" • • . Tho Duke of Argyll, Lord Roberts, and many admirals, Dominion representatives, and scientists have announced that they will aid in carrying out Captain Scott's wish'. It is understood that tho Government ,will propose a 'comprehensive, grant for the dependents' of thoSo lost apart from any national movement.

Lord Curzoli will preside at a meeting of the Eoyal Geographical. Society tomorrow to consider Captain Scott's' appeal on behalf of-the relatives' of thoso who perished, ■•'■'.

:' Tho Lord Mayor declares that he- is absolutely certain that provision will bo made for the dependents of those who died. A Mansion House fund Will probably bo opened. The matter- is under consideration. .-■'..'•■

A memorial service,/to b© held in St. Raul's Cathedral on Friday.ne'xt; is being arranged. ' .''."'

Breaking the News. v

Lady Ellison-Macartney, Captain Scott's sister, and wifo of Sir William EliisonMncartney, Govornor-dosighnto rof Tasmania, broke the n6ws of the disaster to .Captain Scott's mother. ~

: Tho news of his father's death has not been communicated to Captain Scott's threo-and'a-half-year-old son Poier, whd is living with his grandmother" at Hen-, ley,' .where the flags are, flying at halfmast. ■ ■:' '' ; '

Before leiiving. San 'Francisco, Mrs. Scott said she expected her husband-to succeed in his.qnest. She hoped-to meet him at one of the New Zealand southern ports. Captain Scott was sure, she added, ■to suffer bitter disappointment when he found that Captain Amundsen had reached the Polo first,- but' hcrjitusbond was a good sailor, and would: not begrudge for a moment another's victory.

Petty-Officer Evans's widow, on Receiving Commander Evans's message, said: "I have the cohsdiation of knowing that my husband'died bravely." Captain Oatcs's Sacrifice.. Presiding at a meeting of the Royal Humane Society, Lord George Hamilton paid a tribute to the heroes of tho Scott expedition. Captain Oates had sacrificed his life lest ho should be a drag on his comrades, and with ' the hope that lie would give" thetn a better cTianco to reach their goal. ; . '

Mr. Reginald Smith, K.C., F.R.G.S., principal of Sinitli, Elder, and Company, publishers and editor of the "Cornbill Magazine," : states that' Dr. Wilson was a innn of remarkable personality, yet modest and retiring. He was, adviser to the expedition. Mr. Smith adds that .Certain Scott; had "eight thousand volunteers for the expedition.

Shipowners and merchants at Cardiff will erect a 6tatue to Captain Scott; Topical interest attaches to Mr. Pdnting's films of the Scott expedition, which are being shown throughout the country. . Australasian Tributes, , Sir GeOrge Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, 'remarked that all knew when bidding farewell to Captaiu Scott that ho had staked his life, "but concerning this story, of hourly terrific struggle, and' death) thb victory, this sad thotigh glorious ihartyrdbm, that loneiy widow speed-' irig onwards to meet her gallant husband, the readiest tongue must bo silent."

Sir Joseph Ward, presiding at a gathering at the Rojol Colonial.; Institute, to hear a.paper by Sit Evorard iru Thurn, late Governor of Fiji and High. Commissioner of I the Western: Pacific, .on "Loss Known Islands in tire Western Pacific," paid a tribute to the brave explorers, who had placed tho British flag alongside the Norwegian .at the South Pole.

Now Names on Nation's Roll of Heroes. "The Times" says: "The country will ever honour Captain Scott and his comrades, who devoted themselves with singlohtihded herbism to ,the realisation of ft gtcat ; idea." ./ ' Tho "Daily Telegraph" remarks: "They Vere almost within reach of the last Sheltering depot when death claimed them; And'quenched the spMdioV ftoufago which led the little party day by day. The name of Scott will be added to tho country's, imperishable roll of heroes." Tho ''Daily Mail" says:/'Tho tragedy .Iras as overpowering as it was moving in dignity. There was heroism as great ,as Franklin's and victbry was "swallowed up in death." Tho "Daily Chronicle" says: "The results will be such that science will bo able to 6ay that Scott did hot struggle and die in vain." FOREIGN TRIBUTES. ROYAL SYMPATHY! (Rec. February 12, 10.50 p.tri.) Chrlstlanla, February 12. ' King Haakon and Queen Maud of Norway have telegraphed to King George expressing condolence at the tragib loss of Captain' Scott and his companions,AMUNDSEN ASTONISHED. New York, February li. Captain Amundsen, who is at Madison, Wisconsin, expressed himself as astonished that such a disaster should have overtaken so well organised an expedition as Captain Scott's. Ho said he would gladly forego the distinction of having reached tho Pole if thereby he could have saved a brave man' such as Scott from a terrible fate. ' President Taft and Dr, Woodvow Wil. son, the President-Elect, hare cabled to

the King their condolences in Britain's loss. WITH BRIGHT AND SHINING SHIELDS.. Christiania, February 11. Dr. Nansen, the Danisli explorer, in the interview, said: "Captain Scott's death is a terrible calamity—a loss to England and the world. Our only consolation is that tlie lihiclds of the men who so gloriously fought for tho honour and benefit of the world are as bright and shining as the snow' that hns covered their graves." Dr. Nansen, in discussing a Suggestion by 'Mr. Bernacchis's that Scott and his comrades- were starved to denth through inadequate precautions, owing to their anxiety to reach the Fole before Captain Amundsen, says that, it is needless to consider such meaningless conjecture. Captain Scott was too prudent to make inadequate preparation* because Amundsen was also trying to reach the Pole. ,- SCOTT'S DREAM REALISED. Paris, February 11. Dr. Charcot, whd commanded the French Antarctic expedition of 1908-10, states: "Captain Scott realised his 'dream! Captain Amundsen will be the first to admit that Scott opened the way in tho South Pole. Scott and his comrades have a? a magnificent mausoleum the whole of the fantastic architecture of the Antarctic." . ITALIAN MESSAGE. •Rome, February 11. The Chamber of Deputies has sent a message to the British House of Commons, expressing sympathy with Britain in tho Antarctic tragedy.x ADMIRALTY MINUTE. STORY THAT WILL BE LONG HELD IN HONOUR, Bt T«learaßh-Prc«3 : Ajsoclo-tlon-ConyrighV (Rcc. February 12, 10.50. p.m.) . London, February 12. An Admiralty miuUtc has been published regretting the loss of Captain Scott and his comrades. It soys that with their lives proved the constancy and resolution with which they carried out'their duty. The.Lords of the Admiralty consider that the loss should bo regarded «3 if they had been killed, in action; Their story will bo'loHg remembered with honour by the Navy. : , . The Committee of the Antarctic' Expedition has issued a national appeal for funds for the dependents of the lost men. The "Daily Chronicle" has given .£2OOO to the Scott fund. > Sir James Caird has given ,£500; Lord Rothschild, .£250, and Rear-Admiral,Peary, £20. •"■'

POLE-SEEKER'S VIEWS. CAUSES OF THE/DISASTER.. , (Rec-February 12, 10.5 p.m.) Christiania, February 12. Dr. Nansen cypresses the opinion that, tho blizzard was not the real cause of the disaster, ■ but only the last .straw, ilo was satisfied that the tragedy wns : dne td tho men. being 'weakened by their 1 ter* riblo hardships, and probably by the ravages of scurvy, to which Oatrs's desperate action was explainable. ' Another important cause was in their,.not using dogs or ponies to drag' the stores. ■ ■ I ■ A GLORIOUS, ACHIEVEMENT.' (Rec. February 12, 10.50 p.m.) ■ '; ■ '■' ' Copenhagen,' February ' 12./ Mr. C. E. Borchgrevink; .the loader of the first expedition to winter in tho, Antarctic, said that for Captain Seott to have reached the Pole was a glorious deed, but more .glorious was ;\ his long march back, ' AatUNDSEN MOVED, i (Rec. February 12, 10.50 p.m.) ■•■ New York, February 12. Captain Amundsen thinks Seott and his conipanions must have 'been, exhausted and starving, and; that probably scurvy was rife when,'the bli::zard came. It was a mistake .not,to havo taken dogs. The men in their weakened condition must have had added ' sufferings' during tho sledging oh the ico, without protection from the mercilessly sweeping winds. "I cannot read, Scott's last message without emotion," added Captain Amundsen. "I never met him personally, but he was a brave man." Shackletoh in his dash turned homeward just in time to save his life. :■■'■'.:.

SOUTHERN CROSS OF ANTARCTICA. (Rec. February 12, 10.50 p.m.) Londdny February 12. The Royal Geographical Society has received a cable'messago: from Admiral Feary, 'discoverer- of tho North Pole, ex-, pressing his sympathy and admiration of the heroic deaths,of Captain Scott and his He adds that-their names will bo. the Southern Crdss of Antarctiis exploration;, .'..''■■■■.',,. IN AUSTRALIA, COMMONWEALTH MESSAGE. ■ .Melbourne, February 12. ,'Mr. Hughes; Federal Attorney-General, on behalf of the Commonwealth, has sent a cable message to Mrs. Scott, expressing regret,at.the'loss of her husband. .'-..■'. Sydney, February 12. The City Council will forward an official letter td Mrs. Soott : ' The.Royal Society of New South Wales cabled to the Royal Geographical Society in London expressing sorrow.

Withholding or the news. . Sydney, February 12. The "Daily Telegraph," referring to the Scott disaster, says! "It reprfesents another 6f those terrible tributes occasionally, exacted from pioneers 'who go ahead carrying the lamp of science into the bouadlcss region of the Unknown. Tho d&bt mShkind owes tothis typo is seldom realised," still more seldom discharged. The regret excited is sharpened through the manner in which tho public was deceived regarding the true state of affairs, and foolishly allqwcd to believe that the members of the expedition were alive and well for some time, after the return of the ship, Suroly such an item as the of an exploring party should not have been commercialised. Presumably the defpneo to this ghastly silence is that the survivors conceived it to bo their duty to carry out to the letter the contract entered into by Captain Scott himself. Their motive can be respected, but none tho less the silenco was an amazing error of judgment." The "Herald" ettys that there is something which riidvos the human emotions mbro strongly than can readily bo described in this Story of a courageous journey "amidst the most terrible privations. The* goal was reached, priceless scientific data gathered, and then— oblivion." Tho knowledge that the Mid came when the parly was almost within reach of succour must flood tho brimming sympathy.

SUBSCRIPTION FUNDS OPENED. By Telegraph-'-Prcsß Assoffatlon-CopyrlEht (Eec. February 12, fl.lo p.m.) Sydney, February 12. Flags were flying at half-mast in th» city to-day, jn mourning for Captain Scott and his companions. In respoilso to Captain Scott's appeal, tho Lord Mayor Will open a fundi-and the newspapers have- also opened subscription Hits. Other cities are acting