ANTARCTIC FINDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 136, 10 June 1940, Page 18

ANTARCTIC FINDS

A REPORT BY BYRD

MAGNETIC POLE CHANGE

Important disclosures on the results of his six months' exploration in Antarctica were made by Admiral R. E. Byrd in the southernmost town of the world—the Magellan Strait port of Punta Arenas. He reported a change in the Magnetic South Pole and the discovery of coal and copper deposits in Antarctica, says a message from Santiago,. Chile, to the "Christian Science Monitor." The Bear was given a great welcome as it .came into the smooth I waters of Magellan's passage. The Admiral revealed that early his ship had been damaged at the prow, but the voyage was continued in view of the iittle likelihood of encountering dangerous storms. It was decided, therefore, to delay repairs. The Valparaiso newspaper "La Union" received a radioed report of an interview with Admiral Byrd secured by its representative who boarded the Bear. The Admiral, it was stated, discovered that the Magnetic South Pole had changed its position in a westerly direction. He was unable to establish its exact new position, "but it is somewhat west of its former one." "This fact," declared Admiral Byrd, "will greatly interest the scientific world, since maritime maps are drawn from the Magnetic Pole, hitherto considered in a fixed position. I mention this because, as you know, the principar aim of my explorations was to serve science. Fifteen branches of science are represented among the members remaining in the Antarctic regions." COAL AND COPPER. One member of the expedition made a sun compass. The magnetic effects were thus overcome, facilitating scientific observations. "Large deposits" of coal were reported. Other minerals, especially copper, were found in abundance, and scientists attached to the expedition are proceeding with their investigation. The principal characteristic of the Antarctic lands was considered to be their volcanic nature. Volcanoes are abundant there cs in few other parts of the world. A crater was discovered on one island. "La Union" reported the Admiral's definite opinion that his new discoveries would demand complete changes in the map of the Antarctic zone. According to the explorer, as quoted by his interviewer, there is an enormous | stretch of land, the importance of which has only been appreciated y the latest expedition.^ Even not so far south, there are numerous islands I figuring as such in geographical text books which are not islands at all— they form part of the great Antarctic Continent. The Admiral included the Graham Land, Charcot and Alexander Islands among these. He added that he had been able to prove chains of mountains, one of which was accessible by dog-sledge. Detailing this aspect of his discoveries to the Chilean reporter, Admiral Byrd declared that "the continental coast discovered between Little America and Margarita Bay is but 200 miles from Punta Arenas and its length is 1200 miles. It was impossible to approach it, however/ because of an ice field barrier—flat and unbroken, fifty miles across." Reflection and poor visibility probably prevented other explorers from locating it, for it was difficult to tell whether it was land, water, or ice. The Bear, however, was able to get to a point whence it could be surveyed, partially, from the air. It was a difficult undertaking. Ice formations on the. wings and landing gear hampered the flights. BYRD MAN OF THE HOUR. Admiral Byrd was lionised by every section of society in Punta Arenas and in constant demand at numerous "fiestas." His stay was also notable for the demand by the garrison commander, Colonel Ramon Canas Montalvo, that Chile notify interested Powers of its sovereignty in the Antarctic regions. He wrote in the local newspaper "La Verdad" that it was a necessity for Chile to solicit international recognition of its rights to lands to the south of the republic. He emphasised the importance to Chile' of the maritime routes to the far south. Although both Chilean and Argentine newspapers have urged their Governments continually to keep their Antarctic rights on the international notice-board, there has been practically no reaction in Chile to the declaration of Colonel Canas in Punta Arenas. So far it has received much less publicity than abroad. The Chilean and Argentine people appear more "interested in the benefits accruing from the new weather information service as a result of the expedition. As confirmed from Washington, the United States Antarctic Service has completed arrangements with the Chilean, Argentine, and Brazilian Weather Bureaux to exchange information on which continental forecasts can be based. As soon as radio facilities are completed in the Antarctic east base, the service will commence. When in Punta Arenas Admiral Byrd expressed his thanks for the cordial co-operation of the Argentine and Chilean naval officers who accompanied his expedition. Their collection of meteorological data at the east base and the observations available from Chile's weather outpost at Laure Island will be of great assistance to the international service, from which South American countries will largely benefit by forecasts for their agriculture.