THEPOLESEEKERS

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1117, 3 May 1911, Page 5

THEPOLESEEKERS

JAPANESE RETICENT. EXPEDITION PURELY SCIENTIFIC, DR. MAWSON'S PLANS. By Tclecraph-Press Association-Oopyriuut Sydney, May 2. Tho members of the Japanese Antarctic expedition which arrived hero yesterday from tho Far South, are Teticcnt concerning their experiences. From tho timo the vessel left New Zealand till it was decided to return sue encountered extremely rough weother. There was a succession of gales, and the ship was continually awash. Arriving off Victoria Land, she proceeded along tho coast to latitude 74 degrees south, and longitude 171 degrees east. Tho party saw nothing but icebergs, snow, and penguins. After four days' buffeting, and failing to make a landing owing to large quantities of ice, it was decided to return. Tho officers declare that the expedition is a purely scientific one, and that they had no intention to attempt to reach the Pole. It is proposed to stay in Sydney for Eomo time, for 'the purposo of refitting the vessel and renewing the provisions, and to make another attempt in the Polar regions next spring. PROFESSOR DAVID'S VIEW. (Kec. May 3, 1 a.m.) Sydney, May 2. Professor David considers that the Japanese expedition in getting so far south in their ship at so late a date in the season have put up a rather remarkable performance.

DR. JIAWSON'S EXPEDITION, London, May 1. The Danish Government is purchasing fifty Greenland dogs on behalf of Dr. Man-son, for tho letter's Antarctic expedition. They mil be sent direct to Australia. Dr. Mawson will take to the Antarctic an aeroplane which has been selected by Mr. C. Graham-White, the wellknown airman, who is now arranging details. " A REQUEST FOR FUNDS. (Hoc. May 2, 9.20 p.m.) Melbourne, May 2. A deputation has asked the ActingPrimo Minister, Mr. Hughes, for a contribution of .£20,000, being half the cost of tho Mawson Antarctic expedition. Mr. Hushes replied sympathetically and paid Cabinet was considering the matter. SOUTH AFRICA'S SUBSCRIPTION, (fee. May 3, "0.25 a.m.) Cape Town, May 2. ' Including the Union Government's grant, South Africa has subscribed .£1274 towards Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition.

Says an Australian writer: 'i'lie announcement that Dr. Douglas Mawson is bringing out a military typo of two-Mated Bleriot aeroplane ns part of his equipment for the Australian Antarctic expedition is interesting and important, as this is absolutely the. last word in scientific transport. Wo learn that the petrol capacity will enable a distance or l!>0 miles to be covered 'withouT-replenishing the tank, that when within 90 miles of the goal the intrepid explorers will make their supreme effort under conditions absolutely without parallel. The vast fields of eternal snow;-the appalling stillness and silence, broken only by tho throb, throb of the motor, as the human bird wings its invasion-into the Unknown; the gambling with death; tho acute pressure" of the rarefied atmosphere on the lungs; the danger of the petrol freezing; without taking into account the possibility of accident to the mechanism, v-licre a bad fall would mean almost certain death, as tho victim would be frozen ere. succour came—these are some of the handicaps with which the pioneers in Polar flight will have to contend.