“BRITISH ARE BAD LOSERS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 239, 29 December 1927, Page 1

“BRITISH ARE BAD LOSERS”

AMUNDSEN’S CHARGE

EXPLORER MAKES STRIKING REJOINDER By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. S Received 11.30 a.m. LONDON Wednesdav URGEON-COMMANDER MURRAY LEVlb™ho accompanied Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole, in a e er regarding Captain Roald Amundsen’s poor sportsmansnip, emphasises that Amundsen’s success was due to information gained from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s and Captain Scott’s lormer attempts. Moreover, Scott frankly discussed his plans with Amundsen before starting.

JJEFERRING to the allegation o Captain Amundsen that “th< British race are bad losers,” Mr. H. G Ponting, the well-known explorer, wh< was with Captain Scott’s 1910-13 Soutl Polar Expedition, contributes a striking letter to "The Times.” Mr. Ponting says' Amundsen organised a North Pole expedition in 1910, but. he changed his plans and went south. Captain Scott, whose plans were known to the world, heard of Amundsen’s change when at Capetown. He thought the Norwegians would make their base at Weddell Sea. Captain Scott’s eastern party went to the Bay of Whales to. establish a base, according to the published plans, and found the Norwegians there. fcAs the same base was impossible, Scott’s party departed. In spite of the nearness of the Norwegians, Captain Scott was too keen a scientist to jeopardise an important undertaking by racing. He was further delayed owing to the failure of his ponies and dogs. A CAUSE FOR PRIDE Captain Amundsen’s expedition was not concerned with science, except as regards meteorological and gravity observations. Therefore the 12th hour change could only be regarded as inspired by a desire to deprive the British from crowning their long and valuable exploration in the South, in which they had been pioneers since Cook first crossed the Antarctic Circle. ‘May we not point with pride,” says Mr. Ponting, “to the fact that when Scott saw Amundsen’s tent at the South Pole, and saw his life’s ambition blasted, he wrote in his journal paying tribute to Amundsen?” The true British spirit, when fairly beaten, to clasp the hand of a success-

• ful rival, was never more chivalrously 1 exemplified than in Scott’s gallant lines written amid the Antarctic snow. 1 Moreover, Captain Scott was chiefly