THE ANTARCTIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18549, 9 May 1922, Page 7

THE ANTARCTIC

CAPTAIN COOK’S MEMORANDUM. ACQUISITION FOR NEW SOUTH . WALES. Press Association—Bv Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 6. That the puzzle of the Antarctic was a simple thing to Captain Cook is disclosed by a letter which Sir Timothy Coghlan (Agent-general for New South Wales) has secured for New South Wales.’ It comprises a map of the Southern Hemisphere, and includes an indication of the route to he followed by the ships Resolution and Adventure in exploring the Southern / Ocean in search of further continents. The 7 reasons for the route are explained in a memorandum in Captain Cook’s handwriting, under date February 6, 1772, which is “humbly submitted to your Lordship’s consideration by, my Lord, •your Lordship’s most obedient, humble servant, James Cook.” The memorandum sets out that the discoveries had established no great extent of southern lands southward of latitude 40, except about meridian 140; therefore to make new discoveries a navigator must traverse or circumnavigate the globe at a higher parallel than had been hitherto done. The whole itinerary- of a round-the-world voyage was laid down precisely, including water, recruiting points, and wintering ports. The route, commencing at the Cape of Good Hope, goes to New Zealand, then to Tahiti for the winter, southward to the high latitude, eastward to Cape Horn, thence to the Cape of Good Hope. The letter concludes; The yellow line on the map shows the track he would propose that ships should make supposing no land-should intervene, “for if lands are discovered the track will be altered according to the direction of the land; but the general route must be pursued, otherwise some parts of the Southern Ocean will remain unexplored.” V Thus Captain Cook 150 years ago laid down the general principle of Antarctic exploration which many great adventurers had since followed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. any threat or danger of such aggression, the Qouneil shall advise upon the means hv which this obligation shall be fulfilled.”] WOOING FRANCE. ITALY’S CHANGE OF FRONT. LONDON, May 7. (Received May 8, at 7.30 p.m.) The Times’s special representative at the Genoa Conference draws attention to the recent differentiations between the British and Italian attitude at the Conference. He remarks that so long as there was a hope of the Conference proving a success Italy stood so close in relationship to Great Britain that her movements were almost indistinguishable. Now the Italian semi-official writers have received a hint to be kinder to France, and as if by enchantment the press is suddenly commenting with obvious displeasure upon the alleged attempt of the Anslo-Dutoh to obtain a world’s oil monopoly from the Bolshevists. Meanwhile Signor Schanzer has assured M. Barthou that whatever happens at the Conference the Franco-Italian relations mftst remain cordial. The correspondent adds that according to reliable information, Mr Lloyd George, in an interview with M. Barthou, spoke in the most violent and extreme language. In substance, he said that the Entente was ended, and Great Britain henceforth considered herself free to seek other friendships. His advisers had been long urging him to make an agreement with % Gemihnv, even at the cost of abandoning the British claim to reparations. France had made her choice between British and Belgian friendship, and the British Government fglt deeply the conduct of France. Henceforth France might stand alone with Belgium. He did not blame M. Barthou, who had done his best to be conciliatory, but be had no freedom of action. British opinion was hostile to France. His advisers, especially Lord Birkenhead, were constantly advising him to break with France. —Times.