POLAR TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 February 1913, Page 5

POLAR TRAGEDY

WORLD-WIDE SENSATION NUMEROUS TRIBUTE. HOUSE OF COMMONS MOVED. (United Press Association- -liy Metric ■l<ilc<jrai>li—<'upurt<jlit-) (Received February 12, 11 a.'"-) LONDON, February 11. Tho news of tho Scott disaster caused a sensation in the Mouse of Commons. Replying to Mr Austin Chamberlain in tho House of Commons, tho Premier, Mr Asquith, said that all had been deeply impressed by the last message of Captain Scott. 1L was one of tho most moving pathetic utterances in the annals of discovery. The message was that of a brave, enduring man face to face with a tragic end to a career of self-sacrifice and devotion to tho country's service. His appeal would not fall on deaf ears. The Premier spoke with emotion, his voice- being almost inaudible. The House was much mcved. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. UNPARALLELED DISASTER. (Received February 12, 11.5 a.m. LONDON, Februarv 11. Tn the House of Lords, Lord Emmofct, replying to Lord Lamington, said the disaster was one almost unparalleled in the history of Antarctic exploration. Tliey could ill-afford to lose men so faithful to the discharge of their duties. They had given a splendid example and an inspiration to English men for all time. SCOTT'S DREAJM REALISED. A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM. (Received Februarv 12, 9.5 a.m.) PARIS, February 11. I)r Charcot, who commanded the French expedition of 1908-10, states: "Captain Scott realised his dream. Captain Amundsen will be the first to admit that Scott opened the way to the South Polo and his comrades have as a magnificent mausoleum the whole of the fantastic architecture of the Antarctic." KING GEORGE'S REGRET. (Received Februarv 12, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. The King has telegraphed to Lord Curzon president of the Royal Geographical Society, expressing grief at the Scott disaster and his regret at the less to science and discovery. SrNGLE--MINDED HEROISM. (Received Februarv 12, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. February 11. The Times says: "The country will ever honour Captain Scott and his comrades, who devoted themselves with singlo-mir.ded heroism to the realisation of a great idea." The Daily Telegraph remarks: "They vera almost within reach of the last sheltering depot when death claimed them, and quenched the splendid courage which led the little party <hiy by day. The name of Scott will be added to the country's imperishable roll of heroes." The Daily ,Mail says: "The tragedy was as overpowering as it was moving in dignity. There was heroism as great as Franklin's and victory was swallowed up in death." The Daily Chronicle says: ."The results will be such that science will lie able to say that Scott did not struggle and die in vain." AM UN DSEN'S ASTONISHMENT. (Received Februarv 12, 9.T a.m.) NEW YORK', February 11. Captain Amundsen f who is at Madison, Wisconsin, expressed himself astonished that such a disaster should have overtaken so well organised an expedition a.s Captain Scott's. (Received February 12. 9.30 a.m.) NEW YORK* February 11. Captain Amundsen said he would gladly forego the distinction of having reached the Pole if thereby he could have saved a brave man such as Scott from a terrible fate.

VICTORY A XI) DEATH. REMARKS BY SIR GEORGE REID. (Received February 12, 11 a.m.) LOXDOX,'February 11. Sir" George Reid, High Commissioner' for Australia, remarked that all knew when fare-welling Captain Scott that he had staked his life, "but concerning this story of houily terrific struggle, and death, this victory, this pad though glorious martyrdom, that- lonely widow speeding onwards to meet her gallant busband, the readiest tongue must be silent." DYING LEADER'S LAST A:M'EAL. MEMORIAL S BR VICE. (Received Februarv 12. 11..5 a.m.) LOXDOX, February 11. Lord Curzon will preside at a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society to-morrow to consider Captain Scott's appeal on .behalf of the relatives of those who perished. Tho Lord Mayor declares that be. is absolutely certain that provision will be made for the dependents of 1 those who died. A Mansion House I fund will probably be opened. The matter is under consideration, j A memorial service, to be held in St. Paul's Cathedral on Friday next, J.-, being arranged. Many prominent persons have, paid tributes of admiration to tin? heroes who aro dead. THE CAPTAIN'S LITTLE SON. STATUE TO BE ERECTED AT CARDIFF. (Received Februarv 12, 3.2.10 p.m.) LOXTX)X, February 11. Tho .news of the father's death-has not been communicated to Captain three and a-half-ycar-old son Peter, who is living with his grandmother at Lenley, where (.lie flags are Hying at half-mast. •Shipowners and merchant* at Cardiff will erect a statue to Captain Scott, There is world-wide, sympathy for

tho loss of Captain Scolt. Resolution.s have boon recoivod from foreign and colonial Legislatures.

Topical interest attaches to Mr Routing's films of the Scott expedition, which are being shown throughout the country. MRS SCOTT. EXPECTED HER HUSBAND TO SUCCEED. (Received February 12, 11 a.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11. Before leaving here, Mr s Scott said ishe expected her husband to succeed in his quest. She hoped to meet him at one of the New Zealand southern ports. Captain Scott was sure, she added, to suffer bitter disappointment when he found that Captain Amundsen had reached the Pole first, but her husband was a good sailor, and would not begrudge far a moment another's victory.

BREAKING THE NEWS TO CAPTAIN SCOTT'S MOTHER. (Received February 12, 9.-JO a.m.) LONDON, February 11. Lady Ellison-Macartney, Captain ) Scott's sister, and wife of Sir William Ellisin-Macartney. Governordesignate of Tasmania, broke the news of the disaster to her mother. PROPOSED GOVERNMENT GRANT (Received February 12, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. The Duke of Argyll, Lord Roberts and many admirals, Dominion representative's, and scientists have announced that they will aid in earryino- out Captain Scott's wish. "it i« understood that the Govem- ' ment will propose a comprehensive errant for the dependents of those lost, apart from any national movement. ,„ _. V (Received February 12, 2 p.m.) LONDON. February 11. A national fund is being opened for the relief of the dependents ot those lost. ' MRS SCOTT'S BROTHER. ON BOARD THE TERRA NOVA. DUNEDIN. Last Night. Lieutenant Bruce, R.N.R., brother J of Captain Scott's widow, is one ol the exploring party returning by the Terra Nova. SELF^SACRTFTCE. A WIDOW'S CONSOLATION. 1 (Received February 12, 12.10 p.m.) ' LONDON. February 11. Presidium at a meeting of the Royal Humane Society. Lord George Hamilton paid a tribute to the heroes or the Scott expedition. Captain Oatos had sacrificed his life lest he should dracr on his comrades, and with tho hope that lie would give them a bettor chance to reach their goal. Pettv-Ofncer Evans's widow, on receiving Commander Evans's message, said • "T have the consolation of knowjner that bit husband died bravely."

AMUNDSEN INTERVIEWED. AND "hUNDER PROBABLE CAUSE. (Reived Last Xieht, 10.30 o'clock.) NEW YORK, February 12. Captain Amundsen, in an interview, said that Captain Scott and his com- i ■pnnions must have Loon exhausted and starving, and probably scurvy was rife, when the blizzard came It was a mistake not to have taken ,loo« The men would he in a weakened "condition which would have added to their sufferings, while dragging the sledges over the ice, unprotected from the mercilessly sweeping winds. He can-not read Scott's last message without emotion. Ho never met him porscnally, but ho must have been' a brave man. Lieut. Shackleton, he ■ said, turned homeward just m tmi? to save his life. . n ~ ... Captain Amundsen denied that ii< object of his own expedition to the North Pole was purely scientific If ii,» got close to the Pole he might go there. ROYAL SYMPATHY. (Received Last Nkdit. 10.30. o'clock.) CHRISTIANTA, Februarv 12. King Haakon and Queen Maud of Xorwav have telegraphed their sympathy to King Gecrge of '.he disaster Avhich had overtaken Captain Scott and his party. I OR. XAXSEX'S OPINION. BLIZZARD NOT REAL CAUSE. (Received Last Night. 10.30 o'clock.) C'HRTSTIANTA. February 12. Dr Xansen sav-s-the blizzard was not the real cause of death, a:id was only tlie last straw. He is satisfied that the tragedy was due to the party being weakened by terrible I hardships, and probably the ravages or scurvy, to which Captain Gates's desperate action was explainable. Another important cause. he_ says, [ was in not using dogs, or ponies to (drag the stores. MEMORIAL FUND.

OPENED IN LONDON. (Received Last Night, 10.20 o'clock.) LONDON. February 12. The Dailv Chronicle lias uiven C2(K)O to th.' Scott Memorial 'Fund. Sir James Caird £">00, Lord Rothscliild £2oo. Admiral Peary *~'2~\ MESSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND. (liu Ttlviiaijh'—Vrexx Assnciation .) MARTON. Last Xitrlit. The Premier has received tlio following from tlio editor of tlio Daily Telegraph, London: "Responding to Captain Scott's appeal, tlio Telegraph opens fo-day a National Scott Memorial Fund, and tlio editor would welcome a message commending tlio fund to (lie public support." The Premier replied: "1 feel confident Captain Scott's dying appeal will meet with generous response from the citizens of the Empire, and that adequate provision will he forth--1 coming for the wives and fancies of those who have ]< -t. their lives for the glory of the British Flag, and who have gone to their deaths in n manner ivoi'thv of the host traditions.

or our race. Now Zealand shares in the universal regret." Mr Massov also request-eel the Governor to send a. cable to the Secretary of State, expressing the sympathy of the Government and the people.

GENEROUS RESPONSE. (Received this Morning, 12.35 o'clock) LONDON, 12. Before any publicity has been given the movement, the Lord Mayor spontaneously received nearly £bW towards the Scott Memori 1 Fund, including i'KW from Mr Anthony Horden, and t: 100 each from Mrs Walter Hall and the Sydney Morning Herald. - __ A GLOItIOUS DEED. (Received Last Night, 10.20 o'clock.) COPENHAGEN, February 12. Mr C. E. Borchgraevink .says that Captain Scott in reaching the Poio performed a glorious deed, but more glorious was the long march back. MESSAGE FROM PEAKY. (Received Last Night, 10.20 o'clock:) LONDON, February 12. The Royal Geographical Society received a cable from Admiral Peary, expressing sympathy with their heroic deaths, and adds that their names will lie the Southern Cross of Antarctic exploration. THE ADMIRALTY'S TRIBUTE. (Received La-st Night, 10.20 o'clock.) LONDON, February 12. The Admiralty, in a minuto regretting the loss of Captain Scott and his comrades, says their lives proved the constancy of the resolution by which they carried out their duty. The Lords of the Admiralty consider their loss should be regarded as if they were killed in action. Their story will long be remembered by the