THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 7

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

LECTURE BY SIB CLEMENTS . MARKHAM.

(THOU OWL OWN* CORRESPONDEJfT-} LONDON, February 20. At the Royal Institution yesterday Sir Clements R. Markbain, President of the Koyai Gcograpliieal Society, delivered tne last of his three lecture* ou "Art-tic ami Antarctic Exploration." Ho *uid that the earoe. great work which* had been accomplished in th-j Arctic regione remained to be done jn the Antarctic regions, fur we were still in ignorance of all that related to several millions of square miles within thj Antarctic circle. It was conceived in Uie loth and 17th centuries that, there must be a vast soutliem continent to counterbalance the northern land masses, and the Spanish Viceroys of .Peru and their naval advisers turned their attention to the solution of this geographical problem. The very same work, left uncompleted by the Spaniards, was taken up by Captain Cook. The lecturer narrated the- voyages made by Captain Cook and Sir James It we, and said tli-e fact that such a vast area within Uie Antarctic circle still remained undiscovered was not creditable to the maritime enterprise of this country. The importance of an Antarctic expedition had, however, now been tuliy recognised, and the Ditouvory. with Captain bcott, R.X., in command, had Lx-vii sent out on Uβ perilous mission both by the nation and the Government and uniiei- the patronage oi the King, int-y knew iliat liit vessel nad passed uuo WitiuT in Uk- Antarctic aiitr lollunuig Koisß in ioiu.ii,; .>„ v. ay through ihe> icy |»jA.i;, but they knf.v no more. it w.u? uniK-cessiiiV to JweU ifpon the obligation lor fending a reliei tUu'p, lor l , Wius suliicient that Captain fcL-oti, when writing from New iiealanu, had expres&ed anxiety that a relieJ ship should be sent to bring coals tnd supplies ii the event of divsadter. Ho reniinued thci», aieso, that it the .ship was lost a thousand miiws of stormy ocean intervened, and all must perish if no relief slnp was despatched. The relief ship Aloraing had been sent under Captain CMbeck. ThL-;, ho Kaid, was a, work that ought to have been done by the Government. Our rulers had recognised its importance by nuking a grant of money, and by lending officers and men from the. Navy, but when they were asked for help to equip the relief ship, the reply was that the Government considered that they had no responsibility—that was, no responsibility for uieir own oilicera and men sent out mainly through their help. It Mas a strange view to take, and absolutely without precedent.

In conclusion, Sir CltioauUs Markhain described the exact position of the expedition. In the event of the Morning meeting tho Discovery this season, it would be for Optain Scott to decide upon future operations. Hβ might consider that more must be done, and remain out for a second winter, but he might be satisfied with the work accomplished and return to Lyttelton. In that case the (ships would arrive there next ApriL

The financial position of the expedition was sound. All bills had been paid, and they had enough to pay salaries and wages to tlKi cad of next (September, in addition to £3800 to bring the ships home. But if they did not return next April, or if only one returned, it would be necessary to raise £8000 for wages for another year. He had no doubt that this sum would be raised, but he hoped that it would not be necessary. Me urged that the country should do its duty by seeing that the explorers, who would bring back rich stores of knowledge, wan tied nothing, by making them tet'l that tticir country ivae not ungrat/e----iul, and by giving them such a welcome ac would Lk.> worthy of their great achievement, and of our scute of its value.