AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

(Australian Press Association.)

SOVIET BOAT’S RESCUES. LONDON, July 17

Advices from King’s Bay state the Russian ice-breaker Krassin is now on route to Advent Bay, and is expected off King’s Bay. The vessel will be unable to enter the harbour, owing to its deep draught. The captain of the Krassin has asked for a doctor from the Italian -ship La Citta oi Milano, to come to the roadstead to attend Mariano, who is seriously ill, owing to gangrene attacking the frostbite in his leg.

NOBILE ATTACKED.

BY GERMAN PAPERS

LONDON, July 16. Although Rome has officially denied that General Nobile was ordered to try and reach the North Pole on the anniversary of Italy’s entry into the war, the Italia tragedy, according to the Berlin correspondent of the “Times,” lias produced a series of press attacks on General Nobile and on Fascism, which reached a climax after General Nobile was reported to have blamed'* himself for attempting the achievement on the anniversary indicated. It 'is repeatedly suggested that General Nobile and Malmgron s two Italian companions snatched at rescue, and abandoned their comrades. .

The paper “Tagehlatt” says: The outcome of this heroic venture is universally regarded as a defeat of Fascism. It is the logical result of a system which tries to bluff the gallery by gestures. What did the Italian General seek in those inhospitable regions? It is difficult to achieve an Imperium Romanum on the fully occupied earth, but why the North Polo enterprise was prepared with more p.omp than skill. After trying to force reluctant companions to decorate the Pole with flags on May 24th, this theatrical braggart failed to defy the white solitude with his bloody emblems. Brave men of many nations had to risk their lives to rescue this discredited mocliero and his unfortunate companions. A malicious destiny must have directed the Soviet’s ice-breaker’s course. Excellently equipped and efficiently navigated, this vessel with the Bolshevist name, quietly rescued the castaways.

The “Tagehlatt,” . referring to the Donetz victims, continues: The nonBolshevist world has little sympathy with the 'Soviet star shining over fire fresh graves, but it cannot refuse its admiration. Fascism is obliged to thank Hie enemy from which it wishes to save mankind for a deed of salvation. What irony! Fascism wished to paste its own placard on the Pole. Instead, it has presented Bolshevism with this wonderful propaganda material.

A SCANDANAVTAN ATTACK. LONDON, July 16,

Germany and Scandinavia are beginning to ask whether General Nobile’s conduct in leaving his companions. and ensuring Iris own rescue; was that of an officer and a gentleman, such, for instance, as Captain Oates or Professor Malgren, the Danish explorer. Peter Free hen, in an article in the “Politiken,” demands, an investigation by a Court of Honour, which, he says, should say whether German experts were correct in asserting that the Italia was unfit for the expedition, and whether General Nobile’s behaviour after the wreck was pardonable in leaving his comrades and accepting relief: ,and t whether General Nobile’s misleading, contradictory declarations brought new danger and more expense to the relief expeditions. Mr Cral Ekman. the Swedish Premier. confirms the plan officially to investigate Malgrem’s death, and the Foreign Secretary demands full light on this outrageous tragedy. « CRITICISM' RESENTED. (Received this dav at 8.50 a.m '• ROME, July 17. The newspapers bitterly resent the criticism of certain Scandinavian and other Continental newspapers urging an inquiry into Malgrem’s death, practically accusing Znppi and Mariano of leaving Malgrem to die on the