COMMANDER EVANS AGAIN INTERVIEWED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 February 1913, Page 5

COMMANDER EVANS AGAIN INTERVIEWED

"NO SIGNS QE SCURVY."

"WHAT THE SOUTHERN PARTX HAD TO ENDURE. BURIED WHERE THEY WOULD WISH. THE COMMANDER'S OWN TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 13. A Press, representative this afternoon interviewed Commander Evans in regard to a number of matters which have been commented upon in connection with the story of the tragic expedition as it has been given, to the public. Referring to the cable in regard to Professor David's theory, which he was made acquainted with. Commander Evans said that Professor David's statement that the deaths were caused by scurvy was but conjecture. based on sound and practical knowledge of the j difficulties, attending such a long journey in Polar regions, and with man haulage, but Dr. Atkinson, who was in charge of the relief party, was an expert in scurvy, and he states there were no signs of' scurvy. This being so. their deaths were certainly due to exposure and weakness, broug'ht on by strain due to the difficulty in hauling their sledges over very soft and bad surfaces. Tiiis :n turn was due to the unexpected fall in the temperature. "It was well known," continued the Commander, "that iii Polar regions in very low temperatures ice crystals formed a cutting edge, and the friction of the runners on the' sledges "became very great. A man-hauling party pulling a I fair load exerted a strain of 2001b. per man on their traces when travelling in a temperature of zero. With a. temperature fallen to minus 30 this pull would be more than doubled. Capta,in Scott's message to the public states that the temperatures of minus 30 degrees helow zero were frequently experienced. It must be obvious that after facing the strain of sledge travelling for a. distance of more than 1600 miles, to be faced with extra pulling, such as I have describsd. would be enough to break down any party, whatever their physical qualities might be." "We in this expedition," continued the Commander, "knew the endurance of the men constituting the advance party, and ive do not believe that any men living could have won through under the circumstances." ■Commander Evans, referring to Mrs Scott, said: "I will remain in New Zealand until Mrs Scott arrives in Wellington ,and with her brother, "Lieutenant Bruce, of the expedition, will meet her there." Asked as to whether \ there was any likelihood of*the bodies \l>ein<r brought back. Commander Evans said : "The best people to be the judges of that question ar' those who served with Captain Scott snd his gallant companions. They were his constant companions for over vears. Had we ourselves been in the same place as Captain Scott and those who perished with him. we could only have wished that our bodies should re-

main''at i-est "w-hefe ..we had 'given our best efforts in the cause .we so earnestly believed in."

Commander Evans then referred to the bravery shown by 'Chief Stoker Lashley and Junior Officer Crean, after leaving Captain Scott !on their return to camp. The trying experience which Commander.Evans wont through is to be found in the fact that on January 17th ho was compelled to curtail his entries in his diary. For four days following he could only record his experiences very briefly, and "after that he hud to give up t.h■.? diary altogether. "To the two men who were with me." said Commander Evans. "1 owe my life, and I feel that n<\ tribute to their services can over be high enough." Early in the journey Commander Evans was attacked by scurvy, but he endeavoured to wiLhholcl this fact from his companions, and bravely pushed on. His plight became apparent to them, however, and he expressed the desire that the men should pusli on, and leave him in a. tent which they had erected. The men refused to do that, and Commander Evans said he would command them to do so. They then replied that for the first time they would disobey their commander. Eventually the journey was continued, and Commander Evans succeeded in making some, distance under very trying conditions. Eventually everything they wore carrying, except what they actually stood in. was thrown oft' the sledge. Commander Evans was then placed on the sledge, and brought into camp. Continuing. Commander Evans said that tho.se two men would do again what they had already done,'' and with the same cheerful spirit, and with as little thought for self. "We are not out to praise one another," said Commander Evans, "but I cannot let the conduct of these met pass unnoticed."