“SCRAMBLE FOR THE POLES"

Evening Star, Issue 19044, 12 September 1925, Page 18

“SCRAMBLE FOR THE POLES"

CLAIMS OF CANADA AND AUSTRALIA Claims to sovereignty in Polar regions aro multiplying. It has long been tho custom of explorers to hoist their national Hags on any land they discover, and even, as in the case of tho North Polo, on the frozen surface of tho Arctic Ocean; but until recently this custom was not regarded as other than a very natural exhibition of priclo of race. To-day tho case is different, and half-a-dozen countries aro asserting rights of sovereignty over tho territories extending to either Pole. Even tho icc-covcred surface of the Arctic is regarded as a territorial possession, for, in tho account of his great flight, Amundsen reported that no land was found in “flic Norwegian sector” of too North Polar Basin.

Tho nations principally concerned in this “scramble for tho Poles” (says a writer in ‘ Tho Times ’) aro Canada, the United States, Norway, Denmark, and Russia in the north; New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, and Franco in tho south. Tho contest is.not so meaningless as might bo supposed from tho inhospitable character of tho Arctic and Antarctic regions. Spitsbergen, witn its extensive coal mines, is not tho only Polar country with mineral resources, while Green land and the Arctic islands, with a fairly abundant vegetable and animal life, support a hardy if scanty population. But tho principal wealth is in their waters, and the whale, seal, and other industries need land depots for their business. In the Antarctic the fisheries alone afford an economic reason tor exploitation ; but those fisheries aro of great importance, as is shown for example in the pending departure of Scott’s old ship, the Discovery, to make scientific investigations into whaling, sealing, and kindred matters. As for tho mainland, unlike “ the friendly North,” the Antarctic continent is without vegetation, and consequently without life, save for the seals and penguins found on its coasts. DIVISIONS IN THE ARCTIC.

In the Arctic regions one Elate only has any ancient rights of occupation, and that is Denmark, which lias had settlements on tho west coast of Greenland for centuries. When two or three years ago Denmark sought to have her sovereignty acknowledged over tho whole island—Greenland may be claimed as the largest island in the world—Norway raised objections on behalf of the fishing stations her seamen had on tho cast coast. -By an agreement reached last year Denmark guaranteed to Norway the continued exercise of all the facilities, ashore and afloat, hitherto enjoyed by Norwegian sealers and others, Similar privileges have just been granted to British subjects. Greenland apart, the doctrine of the hinterland is invoked to reinforce or, on occasion, to override rights claimed in virtue of discovery. Thus, while Canada, despite Stefansson’s efforts, has disowned any interest in Wrangol Island, which lies north of Siberia, she asserts her right to all land north of tho mainland of tho dominion, as far as the Polo. On the cast tho frontier claimed is a lino passing midway between Greenland on the one side and Baffin, Devon, and Ellesmere Islands on tho other side till the GOth meridian of longitude is reached, and thence along that meridian to tho Pole. On the west Canadian claims aro bounded by tho 141st meridian, which, on the mainland, marks the Canadian-Alaskau frontier.

To the islands already known within' limits named Canada has an excellent right, and sho actually maintains posts on Devon and Ellesmere Islands. All rights held by Great Britain in this Arctic Archipelago by virtue of discovery and formal annexation were transferred to the Dominion Government in 1880. Bart, however, of the region is unexplored; it also includes tho route by which Peary reached the Po% and since 1913 expeditions froin the United States have been at work in it endeavoring impart to find tho mysterious Choker Land which Peary thought ho sighted. Captain Donald Macmillan, who has led these expeditions, is again on his way to tho Arctic, and he is believed to have authority from Washington to annex any new laud he may discover. This report has led the Canadian Government to send a Note to Washington in which, in offering any help in its power to Captain Macmillan, the Canadian claim to sovereignty is impliedly made. There tho matter at present rests.

IN THE ANTARCTIC. British sovereignty over largo areas of the Antarctic is not questioned. The dependencies of the Falklands include nob only South Georgia, the South the South Orkneys, and other islands, but Graham Land and other parts of the Antarctic Continent. Farther east the Ross Dependency is British territory administered by New Zealand. This dependency extends “to .Vi islands and territories between IGOdog oast and lOOcleg west, situated south°of GOdcg south latitude.” It therefore goes south to tho Polo, and includes tho routes followed by Scott, Shacklcton, and Amundsen. The waters of the Ross Sea are regularly visited by Norwegian whalers and others under license from the New Zealand Government, _ , Adjoining the Ross Sea Dependency are ‘'Wilkes Land and the Victoria Quadrant. This part of Antarctica lies south of Australia, and its most distinguished explorer is an Australian —Sir Douglas Mawson. Along _ its coasts whaling and sealing industries of some magnitude have developed, and, as Mr Bruce, the Prime Minister, announced the other day, tho Australian Government’s claim to this region (from IGOdeg to 90deg east) is being pressed stromdy on tho British Cabinet. THE HOME OF THE BLIZZARD. Hero, however, it appears the French are making objections on the_ ground that part of the territory, Adclio Land, was discovered by Jules Dumont D’Urville jn 1840, anil by him named after his wife, and taken possession of in tho muf.B of France. As, with the notable exception of Dr Charcot, D’Urville is tiie ordv French explorer of tho Antarctic, a sentimental value is attached in Paris to his work. But the parallel with New* Zealand and the Ross Dependency seems to hold good. The policing of the waters of Wilkes 3 /and is tho natural task of Australia. As for Aclelie Land itself, it appears to he tho most disagreeable spot on tho face of the globe. D’Urville was wise as well as fortunate in making only a landing'“ to take possession.” When Mawson spent many weary months there a continuous succession of terrific blizzards drove torrents of drift snow from inland into the sea. Mawson’s hut would have gone, too, had it not been buried beneath the snow drifts. The blizzards bad an average velocity of over fifty miles an hour, and sometimes raged at more than double that, speed. Fortunately this is a. unique weather record. Little wonder that Mawson entitled the record of his experience ‘ The Homo of tho Blizzard.’