NEAR DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 7

NEAR DISASTER.

BYRD JUST ESCAPES

Might Have Been Crushed To Matchwood. PUT TO SEA IN TIME. (United Service.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, February 14. [By Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 1028 by the " New York Times " Company, and the ■" St. Louis Post Dispatch." All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to the " New York Times."] BAY OP WHALES. February 13. The storm appears to have broken. The wind is shifting to the south-east, and although the sky is again overcast, there is a long line of pale green on the southern horizon, which indicates that clear weather is coming. Ever since we put to sea we have been cruising back and forth outside the ice-capes in a narrow lane of water between two enormous packs of heavy floes. Fortunately the currents around the capes keep the space clear despite the wind. If Commander Byrd had not ordeied the City of New York to sea at the moment this pack began to appear it would have crushed us like matchwood. Wliere we formerly lay there is a berg a mile long and 40 feet high, which would have crushed a battleship.

About 10 o'clock last night the light grew perceptibly fainter because of th 6 overshadowing clouds. One can feel that winter ia coming although as yet the temperatures are fairly high. It was 27 degrees at 6 o'clock this morn-

WRESTLING IN U.S.A. THYE WINS ROUGH BOUT. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 0.30 a.m.) MONTREAL, February 14. At Portland, Oregon, Ted Thye defeated the Greek heavy-weight, George Koteonoras, getting two falls out of three. Thye got the first fall with a wrist lock in a minute and ten seconds. The Greek took the second with a "flying mare" in fifteen minutes. Thye when in a precarious position in the third bout kicked the Greek to the centre of the ring and fell upon him. AT CONSTANTINOPLE. TROTSKY'S MOVEMENTS. ("Times" Cables.) LONDON, February 14. The Constantinople correspondent of the "Times" says Leo Trotsky is staying at the Soviet Consulate there under the name of Seipoff. He arrived on Tuesday night on board the Russian steamer Illiteh from Odessa and landed secretly at dawn yesterday. BELIEVED DESTINATION. INTERNMENT IN ANGORA. (Australian an 4 N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, February 14. It i& believed arrangements are being made to remove Trotsky to Angora, where he will J>e interned in a small building adjoining the Soviet Embassy. It has been stated that if Leon Trotsky had not had a "double"' he might never have partaken in the Soviet Revolution. Trotsky's real name, is Bronstein, and while in exile 23 years ago, he found that he and his gaoler, a man named Trotsky, were alike as two peas. Realising that in this he had a means of escape, he cultivated this likeness as much as possible. He copied his walk, his mannerisms, and everything else. By this means he made his escape, carrying a passport with the gaoler's photograph, and wearing one of his coats. He then adopted his name, and has gone by it ever since.