LATEST CABLE NEWS THE POLAR FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1925, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS THE POLAR FLIGHT

IDKTH.VU.VN AND X.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION STEFAN,SSOX'B OPINION, ‘({.-ceiled this day at 9 a.m.) NEW YORK,' Alay 2<b Stofansson, interviewed, sat'd: “l see no reason for anxiety regarding Amundsen for upwards of a year. I*or several months at least 1 will consider he has a chance of ulLimate safety, even until we can get news from l’oint Burro a, ut northernmost point ol Alaska. probably in the middle of July. If they are not heard from, then they have one chance in four, of being able to walk to Alaska on other hand from the point at which they were forced to leave the planes. They have rifles and experience. A 1 y expeditions have shown that seals are obtainable under the ice anywhere in the Arctic Seas. I have lived for months on game in the region of North Alaska. If Amundsen’s planes are undamaged, one or both may appear at Nome or ether Alaskan ports anv day in the near future.

AYORSI.EY'S OPINION. LONDON. May 2.1,

(Hollander Wor.-b-v stales that if Captain Amundsen landed on a. smooth ice Hoc. he might make a long ski run to the Pole. Co,ill news, he says, is still nossible for the next live days, though the chances of so simple an outcome are by no means great. Algarsson still awaits the delivery ol his dirigible, which Commander Worslev thinks, might reach Spitzbergon to render aid to Amundsen in ease of misfortune.

ALGARSSOVS FEARS. LONDON, May 25

Algarsson, who. as cabled on .March 12th. had proposed to race Amundsen to the Pole, using an airship, is now hurrying his prep.n.-.lions in order to help Amundsen. Writing to the “Daily Express’’ Algarsson says:-—“lt is iotir days and a half since Amundsen's areoplanes went. Ho may have landed at the Pole safely, hut it is unlikely. 1 un>. afraid that one of the machines got into difficulties. and the other lias made a mistake in rendering assi-lanve. thereby crushing both machines, whereas tin- -.ound one should have Mown back to King s ;tji v. and iviurned with lord lor the marooned party.” "I am biassed against aeroplanes as the landing speed of Amundsen's aeroplanes is sixty n-des ;in hour thus making a landing extremely difficult on rough ice. Amundsen has ikirty days’ food supply, hut, judging In Dr Nansen’s march from the “Fram," this is not enough to enable Amundsen to reach Cape Columbia, as the ice is now in bad condition, and sledging is becoming softer each week.” “Aly departure has been delayed because the lirst gasbag was not big enough. The new one has a capacity of one hundred and three thousand feet.

••If it becomes certain that Amundsen is in trouble, we may attempt to fly iii the airship to the Arctic by varons coasts, though the original plan was to carry the airship by sea to Fpitzhergen direct. The flight would save ten days, which might he vital for Amundsen. We would then try to fly towards the Pole over Amundsen's route, and then towards Cape Columbia. Probably we would not be able to pick- up the party, as our airship would have lost much gas, hut we could give them food and stores.”

MESSAGE FROM SIMTZBERGEX. LONDON. May 20. The following wireless message was received at London at three o’clock this morning:— "Copyright wireless from "Fram.” Spitsbergen, seven o'clock. Monday evening : If the ’planes left the Pole at noon, as the most favourable time, they are due about It) o’clock to-night. We are keeping the closest watch. Everything is prepared to receive the airmen. Had weather is reported from Siberian and Russian stations hut this has mil yet reached the Polar zone. The skv is clear at Danes and Amsterdam Islands, also the sea to west and north. The visibility to northwards is good.” j