The Press THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1958. Antarctic Crossing

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28480, 9 January 1958, Page 8

The Press THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1958. Antarctic Crossing

Because the circumstances of the exchange of messages between Sir Edmund Hillary and Dr. Vivian Fuchs are not fully known any attempt to draw conclusions from them would be premature. But two things should be said. First, the messages, obviously private communications, should not have been made public. Second, we hope that Dr. Fuchs, in spite of the irritation caused by their publication, will give due weight to Sir Edmund Hillary’s advice to abandon plans to venture beyond the South Pole. A man who has climbed Mount Everest is not likely to exaggerate the dangers of

any enterprise on which he is engaged; but it is for Dr. Fuchs to judge the soundness of Sir Edmund Hillary’s opinion. It is part of Sir Edmund Hillary’s duties, as leader of the support party, to give Dr. Fuchs a candid appreciation of the risks that would be encountered this side of the Pole. Even to reach the Pole from the Weddell Sea and complete a programme of scientific observation would be a considerable feat. To halt at that point would be .disappointing for Dr. Fuchs after his exertions, but no question of saving face arises. The real question may be one of saving valuable lives.