CAPTAIN SCOTT AS AN EXPLORER

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 3

CAPTAIN SCOTT AS AN EXPLORER

COLLEAGUE'S CRITICISMS

LACKED MAGNETISM.

(FfiOH 088 OWN CORRSSPONDm.)

LONDON, 10th September. Captain AJberfc B. Armitage has published a book under the title of "Cadet and Commodore," in which appear some criticisms, of Captain Scott, the- Antarctic explorer. Captain Armitage has had three years in tho Arctic with tho Harmsworth Expedition of the 'nineties, and when' asked to join Scott as navigator on the first'voyage of tho Discovery (1901-1904) he says he was reluctant to-go. Ho went, however, and testifies to Scott's character, charm, and courage, but speaking of this voyage ho says:— "Scurvy, the scourge' which was tho prime cause of' Scott and his party perishing during his next expedition, appeared among us by reason of inexperience, and was ono of the causes of disagreement between Scott and myself. He has too great a.belief in our' tinned meats, and a sentimental objection to slaughtering seals in anything iike the number requisite for our winter's supply. In vain Koetlitz and I pointed out that it was no worse to kill 100 seals than to kill one in order to preserve our health. But no, Scott was of that type^ of man who must prove a thing himself more than onoe. And in the Polar regions the proof is only too often death."

Captain Armitagc says he was told by Scott to find a pass between the lofty mountain peaks of South Victoria Land, to the west, and gaiu the inland plateau if such existed. "I did so, although he did not believe that I would find it. But he would not allow me to carry on my work; ho did it himself, and refused to allow mo or anyone elso to attonrpt a further southern journey, saying that there was no use iv it.. In tho years to come he again attempted it, succeeded in reaching the coveted South Pole; but, alas! only to find that he had been forestalled !" "NO WAY BUT RESIGNATION" . Captain Arrnitage, while paying high tribute to Nansen—"l have never met anyone who had such a magnetic personality ... A prince of men and explorers" —and to Peary, whom ho describes as "wonderful," says of Scott: "Athletic, brainy, with a keen, quick intelligence, great courage and charming manners, he had not to my mind that magnetic quality which would have made me follow him in all things. This I recognised from the beginning." The author prints a letter from Scott, written while tho first expedition was being prepared, and when there was a good deal of dissension behind the scenes. "Things are now in a condition,' wrote Scott, "from which I can see no way out but resignation." •However, says Captain Armitage, "Sir Clements Markham, Scott, and I, had a pow-wow over it, and the two of us got Scott to stick to his guns."