THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1913. THE POLAR TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 February 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1913. THE POLAR TRAGEDY.

It is doubtful whether in the domains of fiction anything has ever been depicted or described more tragic or pathetic than the circumstances surrounding the death of Captain Scott and his bravo companions in their dash for the- South Polo. The facts briefly recorded in his diary by tlio Commander of the Expedition, while* producing a painful impression, embody a. record of hravery and fortitude that cannot fail to produce a world-wide appreciation. Let the story be briefly recited. Captain Scott, although only in his -'forty-sec-ond year, had a record and an experience that eminently fitted him for the task he undertook. Twelve years ago ho commanded the .National Antarctic Expedition, distinguishing himself by his intrepedity and love of scientific exploration, and covering himself with honours at the hands of the principal Geographical Societies of Britain, Europe, and America. In September, 15)09. he projected an expedition having for its oh;cot the planting of the Union Jack at the South Pole. Mis proposal vns warmly supported by the British Government, and Australia, South Africa, and Now Zealand cheerfully and liberally responded to the demand for funds. The great feature of the expedition was to he its scientific character. The Terra Nova —the vessel employed—was specially suited for the work to he done, and she was equ'pped with' the hest of machinery and the staff embraced men who had distinguished themselves in evory branch of science. Fnder the happiest auspices the expedition sailed from New Zealand, every arrangement having been carried out in a manner most satisfactory. Ever cautions, the Commander, however, warned his friends that "circumstances might upset his ' calculations, and the results of the I expedition might be vory different

from those which he Foreshadowed." How accurate were these Misgivings! How true the prediction! In his last j message Captain Scott &ai.l he was ] within 150 miles of the Pole, ami i ho was going forward with l)r Wilson ; (chief of the .scientist staff), Captain I Oates (of the Innidulling Hr-goons), j Lieut. Bowers and Petty-Officer ftvans. This ill-l'ated parly n ached the Pole on January ISth, 1012. only-to ] find that Captain Amundsen had been I there l)efcre them and planted the Norwegian (lag. besides leaving recor<ls that told the story <•{ his brilliant aehievement. The return jouri ney almost recalls recollections of the end of the Burke and Wills exp'oration in Australia. One by one the I members of the party succumbed. | Edgar ICvans died on February 17tli", partly as the result of an accident at the foot of the great glacier; a month later Captain Oates, whose feel, and hands were badly frostbitten, nnpears to have courted death. He knew that his end was approaching, and he left the shelter of Hie tent to : return no more. "He was a brave soul" is the comment in Captain ; Scott's diary. The last entry in this j diary is a "Message to (he Public." Ami what a message! Not a murmer ,of complaint. Not a syliible of re- | (lection on anyone. No remonstrance! No recrimination! The words are the j words of a strong man bowing h:s head to the executioner; yielding him- ; self to a terrible fate ; going into the dark bevond without a tromr, Th > i three brave men- —Captain Scott. Dr Wilson and Lieut, Bowers —a r e within a few miles of a depot whore thev , oonld have had food and warmth, but they are hemmed in by a relentless i blizzard and their fuel and food are • gone. Witli death staring them in j the face Captain Scott pens these lines—"But for my own sake f do not regret that journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with a,s great a fortitude as ever in the past. AVo took risks. We knew we took them. Things have come out against us. and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, deter- , mined still to do our best to the last."

These expressions arc the sentiments of a brave man, written on behalf of himself and his companions. Briefly the "message'' describes the cause, of the disaster as duo to no fault but to misfortune. Tfc is the statement of a Commander, facing death calmly and unimpassioned, yet grimly in earnest: There is jo heartrending complaint; not a tvov.l to unduly excite sympathy; only a brief narrative or report furnished as a matter of duty. Even the conoludimj; lines, "Surely, surely a gr«at rich country like ours will see that those dependent on us are properly provided for," can hardly be deemed an appeal. They are merely a reminder of a just obligation that the national honour cannot allow to be ovi looked.