POLAR TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 18 February 1913, Page 5

POLAR TRAGEDY

RUMOURS EXAMINED. PROFESSOR DAVID'S OPINION. "OBVIOUSLY UNTRUE." THE MEMORIAL SERVICES. By Tol«grapa.-Pr«M Asso<)i<rtion--Oopyr!ght Sydney, February .17. Professor David accepts as unquestionable Coinmandor Evans's explanation that Surgeon Atkinson concluded, after examining the bodies of Captain Scptt, Lieutenant Bowers, and Dr. Wilson that there were no traces of scurvy, but Professor David still believes that the failure of Edgar Evans wa3 in all probability duo to squr.vy. Scott'* Diary "Absolutely True,." Referring to the rumours that the fate of tho, southern party was sealed through the other four having to 1 drag Edgar Evans hundreds of milc3 on a sledge, Professor. David points out that these rumours are obviously untrue, since Captain; Scott states that, in epite of the failing strength of. Evans the party did good marches, and made up to eighteen miles a day. If they had been compelled to drag a heavy man PA a sledge, their progress would have heen more like three to four miles a day. Moreover, the. fact that Wilson, and Bowers had been able to spend some little time at the head of the Beardruore Glacier, collecting specimens, pro.ves that tho party at that time could not possibly have been In a, state of 6ucb, extreme exhaustion as wo.uld certainly have resulted if they had been compelled to drag Evans hundreds of miles. There was no doubt whatever that every word in Scott's, diary, describing the fate of; Evans was absolutely true. The Monace of Scurvy, Professor David agrees, with Dr. Nan-i sea's suggestion that Scott's sickness was. in the nature, of «ourvy. It is by no, means improbable, that although none of tho three showed traces of scurvy at the; time of death, they might have, had, mild attacks, which, had helped to weal,tn them. "It must be remembered also.'Vhe added, "that, a, man can get over, on attack of scurvy provided he gets a change of food. 'As each, fresh'depot was readied the party obtained fresh supplies.*' Professor David believes that some of the depots, along tho. Great 100 Barrier contained fresh meat, which/ was not available on tho Beardmore C/lacior or the high plateau. ' , I Referring to the relief work, Professor David deolares it' is untrue/ and most unfair to suggest that, the few mon available for the rolief party in an,y way neglected theis duty. The journe;/ by Mr, Garrard and Dimitri out on tbi barrier in the face of, a jovere blizzard, o, distance of 150 miles, wi,:h very lg>w /temperatures, was a, splendid piece., of wwK"

THE REUpV FUND, NE.WSPAPEEs'iIISE , london, February 16. The newspapers b'aye collected £527 d for the, Scott relief fund. r — The Mansion House fund is now wfiJKOO, MEMORIAL, SERVICES* ! PUBLIC MOUBNING WIDESPREAD. : London, Fobyuary 16. Many memorial services, wenj hold yesterday,, and references, to the Scjhtt disaster were made from, hundreds of p upita. Memorial services were also'held at St. Giles's, Edinburgh, and at GMwgthorpe, Captain Oates's native village. The sermons pwaohed in the churches and. chapels through/out BrvHaJn expressed universal soirow and admiration fety for Scott and his companions, and deep sympathy for, relatives. ' The Dead .March in "Sa,Ul" was played in, huridreds of places. / (Hoc. February 17, J1.15 p.m.) / londorv, February 17. The. memorial seryico /it St. Augustine's, Edgobaston,. was conducted by the Her. Mr;. Bruce, tho, lAcumbent, Captain Scott's broth«Mn-law/. The Lord Mayor (Sir Dnud Burnett/, Sir Oliver Lodge, und other notabilities wero presont. Mrs. Scotfs daughters were presont at the memorial service in Henley Church, when the Biihop of) Birmingham preached. Cape Tovfh, February 18. Lord Gladstone (Governor-General of South, Africa), H. G. King. Hall (Command|jr-an-Chief of the Cape of Good Hope S/iuadron), and many political persons an/d notabilities attended the Scott memorial service.

' Sydney, February 17. In most of the churches references vera mad? to Captain Scott and his comrades The were of an, appropriate character, and,'special musio was sung. QUEEN'ALEXANDRA'S SYMPATHY. (Bjeo. February 17,11.15 p.m.) London, February 17, Quoagi Alexandra has telegraphed to Captain, Scott'a mother."M/ whole heart goe9 out to you and youir poor daughter-in-law in this fearful calamity, just as your bravo eon had achieved his srea.t aim." ARCTIC EXPLORER'S TRIBUTE. , London, February 16, General Grcely, from Rome, telegraphed to Lord Curzon, on behalf of tho survivors of tho Lady Franklin's Hudson Bay expedition a high tribute, to tho heroes of tho Scott South Polar; expedition. YOUNG AUSTRALIA'S TRIBUT& (Rec, Folruary 17,1.1.15 p.m.) Sydney, February 17; Tho keynote of torday's. memorial ceremony at. the public schools in connection, with the death, of Captain Scott and his comrades, was its impressivenoss. As the clock struck the hour of noon the children, stood reverently for several moments. The. story of tho disaster was read, |by tho teachers in each, class, an,d briefly dis* cussed. ■ • . • PATHETia iMCIDENT.

VICAR. DIES IN THE PULPIT. . (Roc. February. 17, 11.15 p.m.) , London, Fobruary 17. The Rev. Griffiths, vicar of Dursley, preaching from the text.: "He that findetli his life shall,lose it; and he that lpseth. hi 3 lifo for my sake, shall find it" (Matthew 10, 39), After referring to Captain Scott dying at his post, fell dead in the pulpit. 1 NEWS OF DR. MAWSON. RETURNING IN THE AURORA. .' , ' ' Sydney, February 17./ Professor .David has been, advised tr/at Dr. Mawson is returning in the Aurc/ra, Tvhich lefb Adelie-Land to, pick up .Mr. Wild's, party. -'