ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9168, 17 August 1908, Page 5

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association —Hy fclectric Telegraph Copyright.

THE FRENCH EXPEDITION

Received August 15, 4.30 p.m. PARIS, August 15. Dr. Charcot's Antarctic expedition will proceed first to Terre Loubet and Alexander First Land, then south-west in order to fix the south ern limits of the eastern Pacific.

The expedition will finally try to join the British expedition under Lieut. Shackleton. Dr. Charcot expects to be absent about two years. Dr. Jean Charcot's second expedition has for its object the exploration of the Antarctic Continent from Graham Land towards King Edward VII. Land. The expedition will devote itself primarily to scientific work. "Of course," Dr. Charcot explains, "we sha'il try to get as near to the pole as possible, but if we fail we shall do everything possible to cover as much as?we can of the Antarctic continents, and to bring back with us as much information as we can acquire. There can be no doubt that the best routn to the Pole is by way of the Ross Barrier, but this we regard as belonging to the English explorers, and I do not propose to trespass on other, people's ground. Much better and more important work can be done in a matter of this kind by friendly cooperation, and I am happy to be able to say that I have received valuable advice and assistance from Captain Scott and Dr. Bruce in making my preparations. On reaching the Antarctic it is my plan to return to our old grounds in Graham Land and endeavour to reach Alexander Land, where we hope to find a barrier similar to Ross'. We should then endeavour to go as far south as possible, or to follow as near as practicable to King Edward's Land." On the land journeys use will be made of motor sledges, which are being manufactured by the Marquis De Dion, and will be presented by him t"> Dr. Charcot. These are to be tested on ice stretches on the Alps before being shipped. The French Parliament will make two votes to the expedition, amounting to £24,000, and public subscriptions will bring the total up to about £30,000. The Academy of Science has drawn up the scientific programme, and a permanent commission connected with the Ministry of Public Instruction has reported very iavourably on the general scheme of the expedition Dr. Charcot ha 3 received assistance also from the Oceanographicul Institute of Paris, and from the Marine Department, the latte r giving a supply of coal and the use of a valuable collection of scientific instruments.