SIEGE OF SOUTH POLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1100, 12 April 1911, Page 7

SIEGE OF SOUTH POLE.

4 AMUNDSEN'S PLANS. WILL YISIT NEW ZEALAND NEXT YEAR. By Telczraph—Press Association-Copyright Cliristlanla, April 10. Captain Amundsen, the explorer, in a letter to his committee, states that after landing him in the Antarctic, the Fram will make occanographic observations in the Atlantic. Captain Amundsen, on his return from the Antarctic regions, will call at New Zealand and then at San Francisco. GRANT FOR DR. MAWSON. London, April 10. The Royal Geographical Society has given Dr. Mawson £500 towards the expenses of his coming Antarctic Expedition. A similar sum was given to Captain Scott. (Rec. April 12, ,0.20 a.m.) London, April'l2. In lecturing before the Royal Geographical Society, Dr. Mawson unfolded the geological aspects of his Antarctic scheme. Hβ emphasised the eagerness of Australia and New Zealand for knowledge of the frozen continent, and their readiness to give active support and participation. EXPLORER'S FINANCIAL WORRIES. When the Fram finally set forth on her mission to the north, it was understood (writes "Icicle" in . the ' Sydney Morning Herald") that Amundsen would adhere to his intention of accompanying her to Madeira, and then return home to settle various matters connected with the expedition, while the ship proceeded, in charge of her chief officer, to San Irancisco, where he could rejoin her in due course. It therefore caused_ great surprise when news reached Norway that Amundsen had changed his plan and left Madeira for Antarctica, in order to take part in the race to the South Pole. As a reason for this change he states that interest in 'the North Polar exploration having diminished since Peary's return from the North Pole, he had been unable to obtain sufficient money with which to carry out his original scheme, but that by travelling to the southern axis of the world, and subsequently publishing an account of his adventures, he hoped to gain sufficient to allow of his meeting all liabilities and accomplishing his primal intention of proceeding to the north.

In outlining the voyage he has now undertaken, he states that the Fram will, after landing him and his exploring party at some point on the coast of the Antarctic continent, proceed on a cruise of oceanographical research, and then make Punta Arenas her port of 'call, before proceeding for a tinie to Buenos Ayres, after which she will return south in order to take off the polar party, and convey it to Ly'ttelton, New Zealand, in February or March, 1912, where the result of its attempt to reach tho Farrliest South would be made public. Ftom lyttclton Amundsen intends t> procecil in the Frarn to San Francisco, and, after refitting, continue the voyage to the Arctic seas.

Sir. Axel Heiberg, a philanthropist, who has contributed large' sums towards tho equipment of polar expeditions, states that tho change of plans was necessary owing to the expedition hning i;i r.eert ;f funds, and in debt to the extent nf ever ,£8350. the promised financial support from America havinß been withdrawn since Peary's return from the Pole. . He thinks it not improbable that the_ ship, vt.iild have been seized linbu '"afrivnV a'r Srin Francisco for' Amundsen's liabilities, .ir.tl that he has consequently been compelled to deviate from his. original nlan, and endeavour by proceeding to the South Polo' to subsequently obtain sufficient funds from • his writings wherewith' to clear off the debt and enable him to carry out his primary object, viz,, 'the voyage of research in the North Polar basin.