SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON'S VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2730, 27 March 1916, Page 6

SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON'S VIEWS

NO NEED FOR UNDUE ALARM

By Telegraph—Press Association

Melbourne, March 25.

Sii\ Douglas Mawson, interviewed, points out that Sir Ernest Shackleton's intention upon leaving South Georgia was to reach a wintering station id "tne Weddell Sea, which Lieutenant Filchncr did two years earlier, and there freeze-in- the Endurance. Whether he succeeded in this is not known. The Aurora meanwhile was to proceed to Jl'Murdo Sound, and wait for Shackleton until there was danger of her freez-ing-in again.' Then she was to return •with or without Shackleton and his garty. "We do not know," added Sir uouglas Mawson "whether the Aurora ever got there, but there should have been no difficulties about it, as navigation is not difficult. It may be _ that Shackloton, meeting with difficulties in tlio earlier stages, returned to the Weddell Sea, and it is possible he .may not reach the Ross Sea side."

Asked .whether, if Shackleton failed to reach the Ross Sea side, which he apparently did not, there was ground for anxioty regarding his safety, Sir Douglas Mawson said lie saw no need_ for undue alarm. Shackleton and his party miglit bo heard ot any day aboard tlie Endurance, which was expected at Buenos Aires shortly. There was a chance, however, that the Endurance would not arrive at present; she may Be frozen up for another year. Pour men may have been left ashore to keep a look-out for Shackleton, or It is possible they may have been landed for some purpose or other, and it had been found impossible to pick-them up. It would he necessary to send' a relief ship to pick" them up. This could not be uone till next year.' Sir Douglas Mawson considered the message from Buenos Aires referred

only to the earliest part of the expedition.