BYRD’S INSPIRATION

Evening Star, Issue 22359, 8 June 1936, Page 12

BYRD’S INSPIRATION

RESULT OF ANTARCTIC VIGIL WILL WORK FOR INTERNATIONAL AMITY Pres* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, June 6. (Received June 8, at 10.30 a.m.) To follow out an inspiration conceived during his long vigil in the advanced observaton shack during his Antarctic expedition. Admiral Byrd said he was prepared to dedicate the remainder of his life, with the exception of two years, to working for international amity. Addressing a large gathering of prominent industrial leaders at a testimonial dinner, the explorer revealed his innermost thoughts contained in his personal diary, from which he read: “The distance and detachment of this place seem to soften some of the human follies, but from here the greatest folly of all is the amazing attitude of .civilised-nations towards each other. Fear, antagonism, and reprisals seem to be the rule among nations, which in their conduct are, I believe, 20,000 years behind the individual civilised citizen in his conduct towards his neighbour.” Admiral Byrd said that where science opened new boundaries for fuller lives of the world’s inhabitants nations were using technical knowledge to prepare for war. “ Even aviation, which is a gift that would tie us together as members of the same human race in knowledge. understanding, and friendship, is being perverted to uses never dreamed of,” he said. “ I shall set aside two years later to further explorations, but soon I shall start my work for international amity. My part will be extremely humble, for my experience lies in far different fields.”