SCOTT'S RIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14648, 6 April 1911, Page 5

SCOTT'S RIVAL.

I AMUNDSEN'S EXPEDITION. [• ■■.■.;.■■ • _ '' " WHY PLANS : WERE CHANGED. By Telegraph.— Association.— (Received April 5, 11 p.m.) 1 Christiania, April 5. Captain Amundsen, who is now in the Antarctic, has written to : the committee of the Fram expedition apologising for not communicating his changed plans to them. . , ; ' The reason for his secrecy; he says, was his:apprehension that the committee would endeavour to dissuade him. The motive for his change was the hope that his discovery of the South Pole would induce his countrymen to accord sufficient financial support to his projected expedition to the North Pole. . RACE FOR THE POLE. A cable published early in October stated that Captain Raold Amundsen, commander . of the Fram, had written from Madeira stating that the vessel was bound on a secret Antarctic expedition. This was the first mention of any intention on the part of Captain Amundsen to explore in the Antarctic. He had hitherto stated that his object was the "scientific examination of the North Polar basin, and with this end in view he proposed to spend five years in the Arctic, drifting over the basin as .the Farm, With Dr. Nansen in command, did in 189396. In the report from Captain Scott, brought by the Terra Nova last week, it was stated ■ that >on reaching the Bay of Whales he had been much surprised to find Amundsen's party already there. The race for the Pole should bo an intensely exciting one. Amundsen is ' stronger in transport facilities than his rival, and will have the advantage of a starting point 70 miles nearer the Pole. The : greater strength in the number of Greenland dogs will give the Norwegian an advantage of travelling.- The next story received from the Antarctic will no doubt tell of a splendid race between two splendid racers.