THE POLAR DISASTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 8

THE POLAR DISASTER

COMMANDER’S EXPLANATION ACCEPTED UNQUESTIONINGLY BY PROFESSOR DAVID. By Telegraph—Freis AB»ociatiojr—Copyright SYDNEY, February 17. Professor David accepts as unquestionable Commander Evans’s explanation that Surgeon Atkinson concluded, after examining the bodies of Captain Scott. Lieutenant Bowers, and Dr Wilson, that there were no traces of scurvy, but Professor David still believes that the failure of Edgar Evans was in all probability due to scurvy. Referring to the rumours that the fate of the southern party was sealed through the other four having to drag Edgar. Evans hundreds of miles on a sledge, Professor David points out that these rumours are obviously untrue, since Captain Scott states that, in spite 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 on a sledge their progress would have been 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 Beardmore Glacier, collecting specimens proves that the party at that time could not portsfbly have been in a state of such extreme exhaustion as would 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 late of Evans was absolutely true. Professor David agrees with Dr Nansen’s suggestion that Scott’s sickness was in the nature of scurvy. It is by no means improbable that although none of the three showed traces of scurvy at the time of death, they might have had mild attacks, which had helped to weaken them. “It must be remembered, also, that a man can get over an attack of scurvy provided ho gets a change of food. As each fresh depot was reached the party obtained fresh supplies.” Professor David believes that some of the depots along the great ice barrier contained fresh meat, ■ which was not available on the Beardmore Glacier or the high plateau. Referring to the relief work. Professor David declares it is untrue and most unfair to suggest that the few men available for the relief party in any way neglected their duty. The journey by Mr Garrard and Dimitri out on the barrier in the face of a severe blizzard, a distance of 150 miles, with very low temperatures, was a splendid piece of work. X MEMORIAL SERVICES UNIVERSAL SORROW AND ADMIRATION. (Received February 17, 8.26 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. ’ Sermons referring to the heroes of the polar disaster were delivered yesterday in the churches and chapels throughout Great Britain, showing the universal sorrow for, and admiration of, Scott and his companions, and the deep sympathy with the relatives. The “Dead March” in “Saul” was played at hundreds of places. Major-General Adolphus Washington Greely, toe explorer, telegraphed from Rom© to Lord Curzon, conveying a high tribute to the heroes on behalf of the survivors of the Lady Franklin Bay expedition. iMfejop-GemeTal Greely Was appointed to command the International Polar Expedition, numbering 25 persons, to Lady Franklin Bay. in 1881, which reached the furthest north then attained, and still holds the record for tlje most northern land discovered, except that of Peary. Two relief expeditions failed to reach them, and only seven survivors were rescued by the naval expedition commanded by Captain Schley in 1884. MBS SCOTT AT MEMORIAL SERVICE. (Received February 17, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. Mrs Scott and her daughters were present at the memorial service at Henley Church. The Bishop of Birmingham preached at St. Augustine’s, Edgebaston, whore the Rev. Bruce, the incumbent, _ is Captain Scott’s brother-in-law. The Lord Mayor; Sir Oliver Lodge, and other notabilities were present, CAPETOWN, February 16. Lord Gladstone (Governor-General of South Africa), Rear-Admiral H. G. King-Hall (Commander-in-Chief of the Cape of Good Hop© Squadron), and many political persons and notabilities attended the Scott memorial service. SYDNEY, Februaiw 17. In most of the churches references were made to Captain Scott and his comrades. The services were of an appropriate character, and special music was sung. MARTON, February 17. The Town Hall was. packed last night, when a memorial service to Soott and bis comrades was held, under the auspices of the Bangitikei branch of the Overseas Club. All the local clergymen gave inspiring addresses. QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S MESSAGE "MY WHOLE HEART GOES OUT TO YOU.” (Received February 17, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. Queen Alexandra telegraphed to Scott’s mother: “My whole heart goes out to you and your poor daughter-m----law in this fearful calamity which occurred as your brave son achieved his great aim.” RELIEF FUNDS AMOUNTS COLLECTED IN LONDON. LONDON, February 16. The newspapers have collected £5270 for the Scott relief fund. The Mansion House fund is now £2200. IN THE SCHOOLS IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL. (Received February 17, 11.15 p-m.) SYDNEY, February 17. The keynote of to-day’s ceremony at the public schools in connection with the death of Scott and his comrades was impressiveness. As the clock struck noon the children stood reverently for several mo-

ments, and the story was read by the teachers in each class and briefly discussed. “NOBLE SELF-SACRIFICE.” Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 17. At its meeting this evening the City Council, on the motion of the Mayor, passed the following resolution bearing on the Antarctic disaster: “That the Christchurch City Council desires to express its profound sympathy with the relatives of Captain Scott and his noble band of heroes who lost thenlives on the return journey from the South Pole, and places on record its high appreciation of the seitsacrificing heroism of the party.” In moving the motion the Mayor said that to him the heroism displayed by Captain Oates in going out into the blizzard was great and admirable. Equally admirable was the self-sacre-fice of the others. They refused to leave their disabled comrade. He had never heard of a more noble and sensacrificing deed of heroism than was there displayed. The motion was carried by the council standing in silence. At a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council a similar resolution was adopted. WELLINGTON WOMEN’S SYMPATHY. The Mayoress, Mrs McLaren, sent the following message to Mr J. J-. Kinsey, agent for the Scott expedition, Christchurch: ‘ ‘On behalf of the women of Wellington I send an expression of our deepest sympathy to the women relatives who are left in sorrow. May the memory of tho great .bravery shown by their men be a wonderful solace to them in this hour of sad bereavement.” Mr Kinsey replied:, “I will convey to the women relatives of these noble men the message of sympathy and comfort from yourself and women of Wellington. May I personally be allowed to thank you, for I am sure your telegram will assist to support and comfort the bereaved ones in their trouble.” Before the commencement of the Petone Borough Council meeting last night, a resolution was passed expressing deep sympathy with th© South Pol© ©xpedition at the loss of Captain Soott and his party.