THE ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 30 March 1911, Page 5

THE ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

POUR ETJQLETTE. STATEMENTS BY SHACKLETON AND MAWSON. By Cable —Pn.ss Association—Copyright. London, March 28. Sir Ernest Shackleton questions if Captain Amundsen is following the dictates of Polar etiquette in wintering in Captain Scott's sphere of influence. He also asks: Is Captain Scott following the same dictates- in landing at Dr. Mawson's base? Dr. Mawson, in his interview, went on to say that, Captain Scott having decided that he could not land his party, Dr. Mawson had decided upon his Australasian expedition. He added: "My plans were submitted to Captain Scott. There was no secrecy in the matter at all. Australia supported Captain Scott, but in view 1 of the present information some dissatisfaction in the Commonwealth is inevitable. Captain Scott wrote last thing and asked me to furnish him with full details of my plans. This I willingly did, giving particulars and adding that I intended to land at Cape Adare. Naturally, lam sorry that circumstances have driven Captain Scott 'to take the course described in the cablegram -from Stewart Island." PROFESSOR DAVID INTERVIEWED. SCOTT'S ADVANTAGES. Sydney, March 29. Professor David, interviewed, said that Captain Scott, by laying depots, had placed his party at a great advantage compared with Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition, which was unable to lay any before the winter. Captain Scott had stated in Sydney that in case he failed to find a landing on Edward VII. Land he would try to land in the Bay of Whales*. He must have been surprised to find Captain Amundsen's party. From a scientific point of view the value of Captain Scott's expedition would be much enhanced by co-operation with the Norwegians in taking observations. Then would follow the intensely exciting contest who was to be the first to reach the Pole. Amundsen was certainly very strong in transport facilities, on the whole stronger than Scott. After dealing with the probable route of the two expeditions, Professor David said that Amundsen would have the advantage of a starting point seventy miles nearer the Pole. For Scott the last stage would be about 350 miles, and for Anr-idsen perhaps 280 or 300. The greater si' ngth and number of the Greenland dogs -inld give the Norwegian an advantage in travelling. There was every possibility of a splendid race between the two—a splendid race. AMUNDSEN CRITICISED. London, March 28. Dr. Mawson,. interviewed, severely criticised Amundsen's action in con- | cealing his plans in order to become the rival of Scott. Amundsen's action would affect him in the eyes of scientists. Dr. Mawson's own plans included landing a small party where Captain Scott had landed, but the main parties would be distributed over the coast to the westward. CAPTAIN SCOTT'S CHANCES. WILL REACH THE POLE. Received 29, 11.40 p.m. London, March 29. Sir Ernest Shackleton, interviewed, said that Captain Scott's prospects were excellent. He was likely to start much earlier than intended. Whether he would reach the Pole before Amundsen was a moot question, but he had a better chance, owing to his superior equipment. ' Dr. Mawson, interviewed, said he was quite sure that Captain Scott can and will reach the Pole before or after Amundsen. THE INTREPID AMUNDSEN. BORN TO THE WORK! Received 30, 12.40 a.m. London, March 29. Captain J. K. Davis, formerly in command of the Nimrod, interviewed, said he believes Amundsen will succeed in reaching the Pole. He is a Norwegian who is born to the work, as no Englishman could be. His wonderful team would take him almost anywhere. He had been called tire hardest nut of all in Norway. His daring was shown by his land- : ing where huge areas of ice frequently break away. He was a leader of men that no difficulties would turn back. THE GERMAN EXPEDITION. Received 30, 12.40 a.m. Berlin, March 29. Lieut. Filchner's Antarctic expedition ) starts on May 2. " PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ALL." Received 30, 12.10 a.m. London, March 29, P'-'pssor David considers that there i is not -"v suggestion of the Pole-jumping ! in the r"™nt situation with three exe peditions '•■ 'V field. There was plenty of room for .-'l.