AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

ITALIA EXPEDITION

INQUIRY IN ITALY.

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

LONDON, July 23

The Rome correspondent of “The Times” reports: Signor Mussolini has announced an eventual--inquiry as to General Nobile’s Polar expedition. Ho lias informed the Cabinet that “before definitely forming a judgment, it is necessary to wait until flip drama has reached its epilogue.” “Wo must,” he ' said, “protest against the wave in inhumanity and hostility against the protagonists of this unfortunate enterprise, whoso members have shown courage that is deserving of universal respect.. Only when all the possible human researches have been made to trace the other victims will a regular inquiry into all the phases be instituted. It will be held in Italy, and by Italians. Any other hypothesis, is absurd and offensive, and will be immediately re- - Signor Mussolini thanked all who assisted tlie expedition, and he particularly thanked tlie Russian icebreaker, “Krnssin.” He concluded by paying a tribute to tlie heroism of Malmgrem. LONDON, July 23.

A Moscow correspondent, Yecherny Moslcwa, aboard the ice-breaker Krassin, declares that when rescued, Zappi was wearing some of Malmgrem’s clothes, and.adds that the crew of the Italia and members of the Krassin’s expedition were greatly excited over the mystery of Malm.grem’s end. * LONDON, July 24.

Tlie Daily Mail’s Copenhagen correspondent states: Tlie newspaper Folketse Avis has received a telegram from Oslo announcing that there were rumours that Zappi and Mariano ate Malmgrem’s body, and that accounts for a mystery surrounding tlicir trek across tlie ice. In Oslo it is also rumoured that Zappi was ill, following on serious charges in connection . with Malmgrem. The Krnssin physician expressed an opinion that Zappi was foodless for three days when rescued and Mariano for five days.

CONDITION OF RESCUED. * (United Service.) (Received this day at 8 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, July 24. A private telegram to an Oslo paper states Zappi’s utterances aboard the Krnssin are of a most wandering character. His statement that he was foodless sixteen days surprised the physicians, who think it is more than probable in view of Zappi’s physical and mental condition. Mariano’s state is such, however, that it was feared he will not survivo.

When the Russians were landing on tlie icefloe from tlie Krassin, they asked Zappi where was Malmgren. Zappi pointed a few yeards away, but tbere was no sign of Malmgren. Zappi then stated Malmgren was left on Brock’s Island.

The Russians replied they would seek him there.

Zappi made tlie response that’s not tlie way cither. He remained behind on the ice.

The Moscow airman, Chuklmovsky, who sighted Malmgren and party before tlie Krassin rescued them, says lie circled round the camp several times to fix the locality, but lie did not drop any of his’small food supply, because, the iceblock whereon the camp stood was so small that the food might not have reached its destination. My fellow travellers agree there were two men on the iceblock. One waved his handkerchief and the third figure, in the form of a capital A, lay on the ice a few yards distant. He then (lew back to tlie Krassin. ClinkhnovskyV mechanic corroborates the report that a third man was seen on the ice with outstretched arms.