LONG JOURNEY IN VAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20020, 10 November 1928, Page 2

LONG JOURNEY IN VAIN

VO’JKS GEOLOGIST SEEKS POLAR ADVENTURE SELLS UP TO GO WITH BYRD [Pek United Piiess Association.] WELLINGTON, November 9. Fired by the ambition to prosecute geological research in tho frozen fastnesses of the Antarctic, and burning with a desire to become a member of Commander Byrd’s expedition, a young man arrived in Wellington tho other day after travelling all the way from Czecho-Slovakia, tlie young republic of Central Europe that celebrated the tenth anniversary of its independence at tho end of last month. The men of Czecho-Slovakia arc evidently a dedetermined people. The young man is Dr Vaclov Vojtech, a native ol Czechoslovakia and a graduate of tlie University of Prague. He is a geologist who, when Commander Byrd was selecting the personnel of his expedition some months ago, wrote and .asked to he enrolled as a member. There were more than 5,000 applicants lor places in the expedition. Many of them were, of course, ineligible, but it was surprising the number of capable scientific men as well as mariners who were willing to go in any capacity. Ono of these was Dr Vojtech, whose application was rejected by Commander Byrd, who naturally concluded that that was the end of the matter. Now, two or three davs after his arrival at Wellington, Commander Byrd is confronted by the young man in person, who seeks a place in the expedition on any terms and in any capacity. Dr Vojtech insists that he sold most of his possessions to pay his passage from Czechoslovakia to" New Zealand, and that he will be a“ ruined man ’’ if he is not taken as a member of the expedition. It is all very unfortunate, but Commander Byrd has all the men he can possibly do with, and he_ is regretfully compelled to tell Dr yojtoch that his long journey has been in vain._ In any case he had previously been informed by letter that his proffered services could not be accepted.