The South Pole Disaster.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 12 February 1913, Page 5

The South Pole Disaster.

SCOUTS LAST MESSAGE. r ' •/ • “NOT FAULTY ORGANISATION, BUT MISFORTUNE IN ALL RISKS.” LAST THOUGHTS FOR THEIR 10VED ONES. * i (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) rUnited Press Association.) In Captain Scott’s diary, Atkinson found the following which is quoted verbatim:— “Message to the Public.—Tire causes of this disaster are not duo to faulty organisation, but to misfortune in all risks which had to be undertaken. The loss of pony transport in March, 1911, obliged me to start later than J. had intended, and obliged the limits of the stuff transported to bo narrowed. “The weather throughout the outward journey, and especially the long gale in 83 degrees south, stopped us. “The soft snow in the lower reaches of the glacier again reduced the pace. We fought these untoward events with a will, and conquered, but it ate into our provisions reserves. Every detail of our food supplies, clothing and depots made on the interior ice sheet on that long stretch of 700 miles to the Pole and back, worked out to perfection. The advance party would have re- . turned to the glacier in fine form and with a surplus of food, but for the astonishing failure of the man who we had least expected to fail. Seaman Edgar Evans was thought to be the strongest of the party. The Beardmore glacier is not difficult in fine weather, but on our return we did not get a single completely fine day. 3 bis, with a sick companion, enormously increased our anxieties. I have said elsewhere that we got into frightfully rough ice, and Edgar Evans received a concussion of the brain. He died a natural death, but left us a shaken party, with the season unduly advanced. “But all the facts above enumerated were as nothing to the surprise which awaited us on the Barrier. I maintain that our arrangements for returning were quite adequate, and that no one in the world would have expected the temperatures and surfaces which we encountered at this time of the year. On the summit, in latitude 85 degrees to 83 degrees, we had minus 20 to minus 30. On the Barrier in latitude 82 degrees, 10,000 feet lower, we had minus 30 in the day and minus 47 at night pretty regularly, with a continuous head wind during our day marches. It is clear that these circumstances came on very suddenly,, and our wreck is certainly due to this sudden advent of severe weather, which does not seem to have any satisfactory cause. Ido not think human beings ever came through such a month as we have corao through, and we should have got through in spite of the weather but/for the sickening of a second companion, Captain Oates, and a shortage of fuel in our depots, for which I cannot account, and finally but for the storm which has fallen on us within eleven miles of this depot, at which wo hoped to secure the final supplies. Surely misfortune could scarcely have exceeded this last blow. We arrived within eleven miles of our old One Ton camp, with fuel for one hot meal and fond for two days. For four days we have been unable to leave the tent, the gale blowing about us. We are weak, and writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that ! Englishmen .can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as in the past. We took risks, and we knew wo took them. Things havo come out against us, and, therefore, we have no cause for complaining, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for. Had wo lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of even an Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.—R. SCOTT, March 25, 1912.” HOW CAPTAIN OATES DIED. I “A BRAVE MAN AND AN ENGL SH GENTLEMAN.” wr ——— , Captain Scott writes: “He was a bravo soul. He slept through the night, hoping not to wake, but awoke in the morning. It was blowing a blizzard.” Oates said, “I am just going outside, and may be some time.” He went out into the blizzard, and we have not seen him since.” Scott adds: “We knew that Oates was walking to his death, but though we tried to dissuade him fve knew it was the act of a brave man and an English gentleman.” On March 16 Oates was really unable to travel, but the others could not leave him. After his gallant death, Scott, Wilson and Bowers pushed northward, when the abnormally bad weather would let them, but they were. forced to camp on March 21 in latitude 79 degrees 40 minutes south, longitude 169 degrees 23 minutes east, eleven miles south of the big depot at/ One Ton Camp. This they never reached, owing to a blizzard which is known, from the records, to have lasted nine days, overtaking them, and food and fuel giving out. THE HISTORY OF THE EXPEDITION. THE RELIEF PARTIES. The history of the expedition is as follows: Before the Terra Nova left for New Zealand last March, Surgeon Atkinson, who had been left in charge of the western party until Scott’s return, despatched Garrard and Demetri, dog-drivers, with two dog teams, to assist the southern party, whose return to Hut Point was expected about March 10, 1912. Dr. Atkinson would havo accompanied this party, but was kept back in medical charge of Lieutenant Evans, second in command, who, it will bo remembered, nearly died of scurvy. This relief party reached the Do Ton depot on March 3, but was compelled to return on March 10, owing primarily to dog food running short, and also to persistent bad weather and the poor condition of the dogs after the strain of a hard season’s work. The dog teams returned to Hntt Point on March 16, The poor animals were mostly frostbitten and incapable of further work. Garrard collapsed through an over-strained heart. His companion was also sick. As it was impossible to communicate with Captain Evans, the ship | having left on March 4, and open s?a lying between. Dr. Atkinson and Keohane, the only two men left, sledged out to Corner Camp to render any help that might he wanted by the southern party. They fought their • way out to Corner Camp against unusually severe weather, and, realising that they could be of no assistance, were forced to return to Hut Point, after depositing ono week’s provisions. In April, when communication with Captain Evans was established, a gallant attempt to relievo Lieutenant Campbell was made b- Atkinson, Wright, Williamson and Keohane. This party reached Butter Point, where j they were stopped by open water. Their return was exciting, and nearly . ended in disaster, owing to the sea-ice breaking ud. .

TWO SEARCH PARTIES DESPATCHED. j A search party left Cape Evans after the winter, on October 30 last, organised by Surgeon Atkinson, consisting of two divisions, Atkinson taking the dog teams with Garrard and Demetri, and Mr M right, in charge of a party, including Nelson, Gran, Lashley, Crean, Williamson, Keohane and Hooper, with seven Indian mules. They were provisioned for three months, expecting an extended search. One Jon camp was found in oidei, and all the provisions intact. FINDING THE BODIES, y Proceeding along the old southern route, on November 12, Wright s party sighted Scott’s tent. Within it were found the bodies of Captain Robert Falcon Scott (Royal Navy), Dr. E. A. Wilson (chief of the scientific staff), and Lieutenant H. R. Bowers (Royal Indian Marine). THEIR BRAVE DEEDS ON THE CROSS. Dr. Atkinson and party gathered the records and effects of the dead men. read the burial service over their bodies, and erected a cairn and cross to their memory. Over the inner tent in which they buried them, a record of finding their bodies was left, attached to the cross. IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN OATES. The party then searched for twenty miles south, endeavouring to discover the body of Captain Oates. It was never found. But another cairn and record were left in the vicinity, to his memory. It should here most certainly be noted that the Southern party nobly stood by their sick companions to the end, and in spite of their distressing condition, they had retained every record and 351bs of geological specimens, which prove to be of the greatest scientific value. This emphasises the nature of their iourney. RELIEF OF THE NORTHERN PARTY. The search party then, turned northward having decided to next direct their efforts to the relief of Lieutenant Campbell and the northern party. On November 25th, Dr. Atkinson brought his party to the Hut Point, and there received the welcome news that the entire northern party, consisting of Lieutnant Campbell, Surgeon Levick, Mr Priestley (geologist), Seamen Abbott, Browning, and Dickason. had returned in safety to tht. Expedition’s base at Cape Evans. Campbell’s party, which had been picked up at Cape Adare, and landed for a short sledge journey in January, 1912, returned to Terra Nova Bay on February 17th, expecting to be picked up by the Terra Nova ship, which, as detailed in last year’s despatch, met with ice conditions approaching the coast that were insuperable, and was forced to leave Lieutenant Campbell to make his own way back to Cape Evans, some two hundred miles away. The journey could not bo attempted until the sea was properly frozen over. A PRIMITIVE EXISTENCE IN THE SNOW. Disappointed at the non-appearance of the ship, Lieutenant Campbell set to work on the Ist of March to prepare to winter. Duly considering the resources at his disposal he selected for the home of his party a snowdrift, and into this they cut and burrowed, eventually completing an igloo, the dimensions being 13ft. by 9ft. This they insulated with seaweed. Whilst the igloo was in course of construction every'seal that appeared was killed, for the shortage of food and fuel was a' great problem that had to be faced. Lieutenant Campbell and his companions led a primitive existence here for six and a half months. Their diet was principally seal meat and blubber, eked out with a few biscuits and a very small quantity of cocoa and sugar. They only had their summer sledging clothing to wear, and these were soon saturated with blubber which penetrated to the skin. Their meteorological record shows winds which were almost constantly of gale force. Temperatures were not recorded, the thermometers having broken. Sickness, in the shape of acute enteritis, attacked'the party, and so weakened them that a start for Cape Evans was not made until September 13th. Even then their condition caused grave anxiety, hut on arrival at Cape Roberta they unexpectedly found a food depot, left by Griffith and Taylor. The change to biscuits quickly restored Browning to health. Good progress was then made to Cape Evans, where the party was fortunate in picking up Professor David’s specimens on Depot Island. The most remarkable feature of this journey is that the entire party lived through the Antarctic winter and actually sledged two hundred and thirty miles on stores and equipment, left for one month’s sledging. The appearance of seal after winter had once set in, being after all, a fortunate chance. At Cape Evans, scientific work was continued throughout the winter. The special work done included the ascent of Mt. Erebus for geological and surveying purposes. The records include a letter from Amundsen to the King of Norway, brought back from the Pole by the Southern party. Before the ship finally departed from her winter quarters she landed a party who erected a large cross on Observation Hill, overlooking the Great Ice Barrier, where their comrades sacrificed their lives after the achievement of the great object of this Expedition. On the return voyage of the Terra Nova, one iceberg which was passed measured twenty-one geographical miles in length. Many hundreds of icebergs were passed, and, for some distance, the vessel had a very narrow passage to work through. All the surviving members were in excellent health. FUTURE MOVEMENTS OF THE PARTY. After a month’s refit in New Zealand the Terra Nova will proceed to Cardiff. Lieutenants Pennell (commanding) and Rennick, Surgeon Levick, and Biologists Nelson and Lillie, will return in the ship. Commander Evans, Lieutenants Campbell and Bruce, Surgeon Atkinson, Secretary Drake and Messrs Wright, Priestly, Debenham, Cherry, Garrard, and Granby by a mail steanier. E. R. G. R. Evans, commander, Royal Navy, is commanding the Expedition.

THE KING’S SYMPATHY. ' (Received 9.30 a.m.) London, February 11. The King telegraphed to Lord Curzon, President of the Geographical Society, his grief at the Scott disaster and sympathised. Avith the’loss to science discovery. The neAvs caused a sensation in the House of Commons. ’ BREAKING THE NEWS. Lady ’Ellison Macartney, Captain Scott’s sister, broke the news to Captain Scott’s mother. PRESS TRIBUTES. The Times says: “The country will ever honour Captain Scott and his comrades, Avho devoted themselves with a single-minded heroism to the realisation of a great idea.” The Telegraph says: “Almost within reach of the last sheltering depot, death claimed them, and quenched the splendid courage which led the little party day by day. The name of Captain Scott Avill be added to the country’s imperishable roll of heroes.” The Daily Mail says:/“The tragedy is as overpoAvering, as moving in dignity and heroism as Sir John Franklin’s, and history is SAvalloAved up in death.” The Chronicle says: “The results will he such that science will be able to say that Captain Scott did not struggle or die in vain.” Sydney, February 12. The Telegraph says: The disaster represents another of those terrible tributes which are occasionally exacted from pioneers avlio go ahead carrying the lamp of Science into the boundless regions of the unknown. The debt mankind owes this type is seldom realised and is still more seldom discharged. The regret excited is sharpened through the manner in Avhich the public were deceived regarding the true state of affairs, and Avere foolishly allowed to believe that the members of t)ic expedition were alive and

well some time after the return of the K))ip. Surely, such an item as the destruction of, an exploring party should not have been commercialised. Presumably the defence of this ghastly silence is that the survivors conceived it to be their duty to carry out to the letter the contract entered into by Captain Scott himself. The motive can be respected, but none the less, the silence was an amazing error of judgment.” The Herald says there is something which moves human emotions more' strongly than can readily be described in this story of a courageous journey. “Amidst the mast terrible privations, the goal was reached and priceless scientific data gathered, and then oblivion.” The knowledge that the end came almost within reach of succour must flood the brimming sympathy. SYMPATHY FROM SYDNEY. The City Council forwards an official letter to Mrs Scott. The Royal Geographical Society of, New South Wales cabled to the Royal I Geographical Society of London expressing their sorrow on behalf of the Commonwealth. Melbourne, February 12. Mr Hughes, on behalf of the Commonwealth, expressed regret and a cable will bo sent to Mrs Scott. NANSEN AND AMUNDSEN. Christiania, February 11. Nansen, interviewed, said: “Scott’s death is a terrible calamity, a loss j to England and the world, and our only consolation is that the shields of men who so gloriously fought for honour and the benefit of the world are bright and shining as the snow which covered their graves.” New York, February 11. Captain Amundsen, interviewed, said: “I would gladly forego the distinction of reaching the Pole if thereby could be saved a brave man such as Captain Scott from bis terrible fate.”

“A REMARKABLE PERSONALITY.” (Received 9 a.m.) London, February 11. Mr Reginald Smith, of Smith, Elder and Co., states that Or Wilson was a remarkable personality, modest retiring, and adviser to the expedition, and adds: “Captain Scott had 8000 volunteers when his expedition was announced.”'“MEANINGLESS CONJECTURE.” Christiania, February 11. Dr Nansen, interviewed regarding the suggestion that Captain Scott and his comrades were starved to death through inadequate precautions owing to anxiety to reach the Pole before Amundsen, says: “It is needless to consider such meaningless conjecture. Captain Scott was too prudent to make inadequate preparations owing to fear of Amundsen.” “A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM.” Paris, February 11. M. Charcot says: “Captain Scott realised his dream. Amundsen would be the first to admit that Captain Scott and his comrades have as a magnificent mausoleum the whole fantastic architecture of the Antarctic Continent.” FELLOW EXPLORER’S SYMPATHY. _____ \ New York, February 11. Captain Stefanssen says that no blizzard is likely to have killed Scott. The probable cause of death was starvation or falling into a crevasse. Commander Peary expressed deep sympathy when ipformed. MR. ASQUITH’S FEELING. (Received 11.40 a.m.) , London, February 11. Replying to a question by Mr Austen Chamberlain, Premier Asquith said they were all deeply impressed at the Antarctic disaster. The last message was-one of the most moving and pathetic utterances in the annals of discovery. The message was from a brave and enduring man, face to face with a tragic end of his career of self-sacrifice and devotion to the country’s service. The appeal would not fall on deaf ears.

The Premier spoke with emotion, and was almost inaudible. The House was much moved, Lord Emott, replying, said that in the struggle with death and this victory, this was the sad thought amid the glorious martyrdom that the lonely widow was speeding onwards to meet her gallant husband, and the readiest tongue was silent. Lord Lamington said the disaster was almost unparalelled in Antarctic exploration. They could ill afford to lose men so faithful in the discharge of their duties. It would be a splendid example and inspiration to Englishmen for all time. Lord Curzon will preside at the Ge-' ographical Society’s meeting to-mor-row to consider Captain Scott’s ap*-”'’ peal. Many prominent personages pay tributes to and express admiration for the heroes. The Lord Mayor declares that,it,is absolutely certain provision will oe made for the dependents. He was Considering the opening of a Mansion House fund. A memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedfal on Friday is being arranged SYMPATHY IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, February 11. Intense interest and universal sorrow are expressed in Scott’s fate. The State Government has cabled to the British authorities an expression of grief at the disaster which has overtaken brave men. As a special mark of sympathy it ordered the flags on the public buildings to be half-masted throughout to-morrow.

Professor David, in an interview, sad that the news of the death of Scott and his comrades was only too | true. He had received a cable from Mr Kinsey confirming the sad occur--1 rence, which was all the more tragic l on account of the proximity of the | brave party to their winter quarters. He surmises that they may in the 1 thick drifting snow caused by thelconj tinuous blizzards have missed one of the food deppts when weak from fatigue, long endurance and excessive -cold. It must be remembered that as compared with Amundsen’s party, the party, much as they suffered, endured far more intensely. They had to drag their sledges over hundreds of miles, including a bitter windswept plateau ten thousand feet high. This fearfully heavy protracted work must have told on their constitutions, though they were of the hardiest. In view of the comparatively slow progress on the return journey one could not help thinking that the whole party could not have been in the best of health. THE DEAD MEN’S EFFECTS. ■ ' Christchurch, February 11. The personal effects and other lug-_ gage and paraphernalia of some of those who died in the South still lie at the Tourist Office, Christchurch, where they were left when the adventurers went south. CAPTAIN SCOTT’S BODY. i A rumor was current in town this morning that the body of Capt. Scott had been brought back by the Terra Nova. Mr Kinsey, when asked what the facts lay behind the tale, gave it a most complete and emphatic denial. PUBLIC SYMPATHY. The flags were half-mast high on all public and private buildings in Lyttelton to-day. The merchant service also paid its tribute to the memory of Cuptain Soot/ and bis party, every ship

in port lowering her flag to halfmast. COMMUNICATING WITH M|IS SCOTT. It understood that a wireless message will be sent to Mrs 11. F. Scott, who is on her way from San Francisco, apprising her of the fate of the southern party, and instructing her not to Jand in the Dominion. Mrs Wilson, who has been staying in the south, reached Christchurch to-day by the first express. INTERVIEW WITH SIR C)6aS. BOWEN. Sir Charles Bowen, who is keenly interested in Antarctic exploration, and tyho had many opportunities of meeting Captain Scott on the different oc-| csions that he was in Chrictchurch, i was seen by a press representative re-( garding the sad news of the death of the explorer and his party. Sir Charles said that beyond the news giving the fact that Captain Scott and his party had perished in a blizzard he was not in possession of any details. The news was very terrible, and he felt keen sorrow that so courageous an officer had met with so sad a fate,'and he felt the deepest sympathy for Mrs Scott and the relatives of the brave men who perished with their leader. “Captaifl Scott was not only a great explorer, and not only possessed of the courage of a great explorer, but he also possessed the necessary skill and knowledge, and was also a first-class naval man, and would have made his mark in whatever circumstances he was placed. The death of Captain Scott and his party in such tragic circumstances will create a profound sensation through the whole Empire.” METHODISTS’ SYMPATHY. Wellington, February 11 The Methodist Conference to-night placed on record its deep regret at the sad fate of Captain Scott and, his comrades in the Antarctic, and expressed heartfelt sympathy with Mrs Scott and the relatives of the other members of the expedition who perished. The proposition was ordered to be sent to Mr Kinsey, the representative of the expedition in Christchurch. IN MEMORIAM. Christchurch, February 11. At all the theatres to-nigbt funeral marches were played as a tribute to the memory of the dead explorers. CAPTAIN SCOTT’S CAREER. Captain Robert Falcon Scott, R.H. 0.Y.Q., F.R.G.S., commanded the National Antarctic Expedition in 1900-'-4. He was born at Outlands, Devonport, on June 6, 1868. He was the eldest son of the late John Edward Scott, of Outlands. In 1908 he married Kathleen, daughter of the late Canon Lloyd Bruce. He was educated at Stubbington House, Fareham, an^ ;r entered. r the ; Nayy an,1882. He served in the Rove from 1887-88 as Lieutenant; in the Amphion in 1889 ; . was Torpedo-Lieutenant of the Majestic, in the Flagship Channel Squadron, in 1898-99, First Lieutenant, 1899 -1900: Commander, 1900; Captain 1904. He was made an Hon. D.Sc, of Cambridge and Manchester in 1905, and was gold medallist of the Royal Geographical Society, Royal Scottish Geographical Society, American, Swedish, Danish, Philadelphian, and Antwerp Geographical Societies. In 1905 he published his Polar exploration story “The Voyage of the Discovery.” LAST YEAR’S MESSAGE. The lasf; news we received from Captain Scott was brought by the Terra Nova, which reached Akaroa on April Ist, 1912. Thie letter was conveyed by Lieutenant Evans, who left Captain Scott and his party on January 3rd, 1912, The last words of the message were: “Wo are now within 150 miles of the Pole. lam going forward with a party of five men,., sending three back undpr Lieutenant Evans with this note. The names and descriptions of the advance party are: Captain Scott, R.N.; Dr. WilSon, chief of the scientist staff; Captain Oates, Inniskillen Dragoons, in charge of ponies and mules; Lieutenant Bowers, Royal Indian Marine, commissariat officer; Petty-officer Evans, R.N., in charge of sledges and equipment. The advance party goes forward with a month’s provisions. The prospect of success sqepis good, providing the weather holds and no unforeseen obstacles arise. It has been very difficult to choose the advance party, as everyone was fit and able to go forward, Those who return are natur ally much disappointed. Everyone has worked his hardest. The weather on the plateau has been good on the whole; the sun has never deserted us, but the temperatures are low (now about minus 20deg) and the winds pretty constant, How-

ever, w© are excellently equipped for such conditions, and the' wind undoubt- ' V, edly. improves the surface. So far all arrangements have worked out most satisfactorily. It is more than proi /'-bahle that no\ further news will be received from us this year, as our return must necessarily be late.—Signed) R. Scott.” A curious prophecy was cabled on April 2nd, 1912, “Sir Ernest Shackleton calculates that Captain Scott must have reached the Pole about January ,18th.” Captain Amundsen reached the Polo on December 14th, 1911, after a journey under singularly favourable conditions. UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS. Washington, February 11. Before leaving San Francisco Mrs Scott said she expected her husband would succeed in his quest. She hoped to meet him at one of the New Zealand southern ports. She said:— “Captain Scott was sure to suffer bit-

j ter disappointment when he found Amundsen had reached the Pole first, but her husband was a good sailor and would not begrudge for a moment another’s victory.” j Since the loss of Sir John Franklin and his party in the Arctic regions iu 1815 no great disaster has overtaken British explorers. In Franklin’s case] the uncertainty as to bis fate was! one of the most trying features. Lady Franklin and her friends despatched several expeditions from 1848 onwards to search for survivors of the expedition, or to discover any traces of tlie expedition, but it / was not till 1859 that McClintock round a record of the bandonment of the Erebus and Terror and the death of Sir John Franklin on June 11th, 1847. In the case of Captain Scott and bis party the news of their loss seems clear and definite.

Captain. Scott in the Discovery visited the Antarctic in January, 1902, and left in February, 1904. He penetrated as far south as 82deg. 17min., the farthest south then attained. In 1909 Lieutenant (now Sir Ernest) Shackleton returned from a journey of 1700 miles over land ice in which he reached BBdeg. 23min., or within 11 miles of the Pole. Captain Scott heard the call of the Polar regions again, and could not resist if. Two years after set out and after successfully attaining the Pole, has perished on his return journey.

ADJOURNING THE COURT. Christchurch, February 12. When the Supreme Court opened this morning Air Justice Dennistou, addressing the Court, said; “I feel it impossible to step into public business, however important, straight from reading a story, in the words of the dead letter of Captain Scott’s party how once more it has been shown that Englishmen can endure hardships and help one another to meet death with as great fortitude as ever in the past.” His Honor then adjourned the Court until the afternoon. LITTLE ORPHAN PETER. WORLD-WIDE EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY. ■ i ’ ■ \ : (Received 12.45 p.m.) London, February 11J The news has not yet been told to Captain Scott’s 3£-year-old sou, Peter, who is living with his grandmother at Henley, where flags are half-mast. Shipowners-and merchants at Cardiff intend /to erect a statue to Captain Scott. J| World-wide sympathy regarding the Scott disaster is expressed by foreign and colonial legislatures. Topical interest is being attached to Footing's film’s of Seott’s expedition, which are being shown throughout the country. The Duke of Argyll, Lord Roberts, many Admirals, Dominion representatives, and scientific men announce their support in carrying out Captain Scott’s wish. It is understood that the Government .propose a comprehensive .'grant; to dependents apart from any national ’movement. (Received 1.57 p.m.) London, February 11. A national fund is being opened for those dependent on the lost explorers. President .Taft and Air Woodrow Wilson cabled to the King their condolence on Britain’s loss. Sir Joseph Ward, presiding at a meeting of the Colonial Institute, when Sir E. Imithurn read a paper on''“Less Known Islands of the-Wes-tern Pacific,” paid a tribute to the brave explorers who had placed their flag alongside the Norwegian flag. Rome, February 11. The Chamber sent a message to the House of Commons expressing sympathy with Britain regarding the Antarctic tragedy. ARRIVAL OF THE TERRA NOVA. A STATEMENT FORTHCOMING. The Terra Nova was berthed at Lyttelton at 11 o’clock this morning. The crew are all well, but they are very reticent. A committee of officers will, make a statement to the press in the afternoon. Those aboard, when looked hale, and showed no outward signs of their severe buffettings. AVIDOW EVANS’ CONSOLATION. (Received 12.50 p.m.) London, February 11. Petty-officer Evans’ widow, on receiving Lieutenant Evans’ message, said: “I have consolation in knowing that my husband died bravely.”

TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN OATES. Presiding at a meeting of the Humane Society, Lord George Hamilton paid a tribute to the heroes, specially to Captain Oates sacrificing his life lest he would be a drag upon his comrades, hoping to give them a better chance to reach the goal. AMUNDSEN NOT DISMAYED. OFF TO THE NORTH. (Received 1.40 p.m.) New York, February 11. Amundsen, who is now at Madison, Wisconsin, is preparing for his North Pole expedition. He hopes to drift in ice for live years in order to locate the Pole. The ship Fram will be used.