THE SOUTH POLE TRAGEDY

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1847, 13 February 1913, Page 5

THE SOUTH POLE TRAGEDY

TRIBUTES TO THE GREAT DEAD. SYMPATHY FROM KINGS. WORLD-WIDE SORROW AND PRAISE. Press Assn—By Telegraph—Copyright Received 10. 50 p.m. London, Feb. 12. An Admiralty minute regretting the loss of Capt. Scott aud his comrades says—: "Their lives proved the constancy of the resolution wherewith they carried out their duty. The Lords of the Admiralty consider that the loss of Scott and his party should be regarded as if tliev had been killed in action. "Their story will long be remembered with honour by the Navy." PEARY'S MESSAGE. The Royal Geographical Society received a cable from Capt. Peary, expressing sympathy in their heroic deaths. He adds: "Their names will be the Southern Cross of Antarctica. '' APPEALS IN BRITAIN. The Exploration Committee of the Antarctic expedition lias isssued a national appeal. The Daily Chronicle (Liberal) has given £2,000 to a Scott Memorial Fund, Sir James Caird £SOO, Lord Rothschild £250, Captain Peary £2O. A GLORIOUS DEED. Copenhagen, Feb. 12. Mr C. E. Borchgraevink says that Captain Scott having reached the Pole was a glorious deed, but more glorious was the long march back. NANSEN'S OPINION. Christiana, Feb. 12. Nansen, the explorer, says that the blizzard was not the real cause of disaster, only the last straw. He is satisfied it was due to the party being weakened from terrible hardship, probably the ravages of scurvy, by which Captain Oates' deeper .te action was explainable. Another important cause was not using the dogs and ponies to drag the stores. KINGLY CONDOLENCES. King Haakon aud Queen Maud have telegraphed to King George their condolence. WHAT AMUNDSEN THINKS. New York, Feb. 12. Amundsen, in an interview, says that Scott and his companions must have been exhausted and starving aud probably scurvy was rife, when the blizzard came. It was a mistake not'to have taken dogs. Men in a weakened condition added to their sufferings by drawing sledges over the ice which was unprotected to the mercilessly sweeping winds. "I cannot read Scott's last message," he says, "without emotion. I never met him personally, but he was a brave man. Shackleton turned homeward just in time to save his life." Amundsen denied that the object of his own expedition was to get to the North Pole. It was for purely scientific reasons. If he got close to the Pole he might go there. SYDNEY STARTS A FUND. Sydney, Last Night. The city flags are all half-masted in memory of Captain Scott. As a response to Scott's appeal the Lord Mayor opens a fund. The newspapers are openiug subscription lists and other cities are doing similarly. APPEAL FROM LONDON. MR MASSEX'S SYMPATHETIC REPLY. Press Association.—By Telegraph. Marton, Last Night. The Premier (Mr Massey) has received the following from the Editor of the Daily Telegraph (the Hon. H. Lawson), London:— "Responding to Captain Scott's last appeal the Telegraph opens today a national Scott Memorial Fund, and the editor would welcome a message commending the fund to the public support." The Premier replied: "I feel con fident that Captain Scott's dying appeal will meet with a generous response from the citizens of the Empire aud that adi quite provision will be forthcoming for the wives and families of the brave men who have lost their lives for the glory of the British flag, and who have gone to their deaths in a manner worthy of the best traditions of our race. New Zealand shares in the universal regret.'' AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE. Mr Massey also has requested the Governor to send a cable to the Secretary of State for the Colonies expressing the sympathy of the Government and the people.