LEFT HIS COMPANIONS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10890, 18 July 1928, Page 5

LEFT HIS COMPANIONS

SECOND EDITION

GENERAL NOBILE S CONDUCT STRONG CRITICISM. Press Aesn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. July 16. Germany and Scandinavia arc beginning to ask whether General Nobile’s conduct in .leaving his companions and ensuring liis own rescue was that of an officer and gentleman, such for instance, as Captain Oates and Professor Alalmgren. Although Rome has officially denied that General Nobile was ordered to try and reach the Pole on the anniversary of Italy’s entrv into tins war. the Italia tragedy, according to a Berlin correspondent, has produced a series of press attacks on General Nobile and Fascism, which reached a climax after General Nobile reportedly blamed himself for attempting the achievement on the anniversary indicated.

It is repeatedly suggested that General Nobile and Professor Alalmgren’s two Italian companions snatched at rescue and abandoned tlieir comrades. DEFEAT FOR FASCISM.

The Tageblatt says:— “The outcome of this heroic venture is universally regarded as defeat for Fascism. It is the logical result ol a system which tries to bluff the gallery by gestures. AVhat did the Italian General seek in these inhospital regions? It is difficult to achieve an Imperium Romanian on a fully occupied earth. But why ! The North Pole enterprise was prepared with more pomp than skill. After trying to force reluctant companions to decorate the Pole with flags on May 24 this theatrical braggart failed to defy the white solitude with his bloody emblems. “A AIALICIOUS DESTINY."

“Brave men of many nations had to risk their lives to rescue this discredited Mochero and big unfortunate. companions. A milicious destiny must direct the Soviet icebreaker’s course. Excellently equipped and c. r * ficiently navigated this vessel with the Bolshevist name quietly rescued the castaways.”

The Tageblatt referring to the Donetz victims continues:—

“The non-Bolshevist world ha s Jitsympathy with 1 the Soviet star shining over five fresh graves. But it cannot refuse it admiration.

“Fascism is obliged to thank *fie enemy from which it wishes to save mankind for a deed of san ation. AY hat irony Fascism wished to paste its own placard on the Pole. Tnsteac* it presented Bolshevism with this wonderful propaganda material.” Tlie Danish explorer. Petm Frenchen. in an article in the Politician demands investigation by a Court of Honour which should say whether. German experts were correct in asserting Ibe Italia was unfit for lie expedition, whether General Nobile's behaviour after the wreck was pnvdou ble in leaving bis comrades and accm ting relief, and wlieth©** General Nobile’s misleading contradictory declarations brought new danger ami more expense to the relief expeditions. ALLEGED CALLOUSNESS. ITALIAN INDIGNATION. (Received 8.45 a.m.) ROME. July 17. Newspapers bitterly resent the criticism ol certain Scandinavian and other continental newspaper*,, urging an inquiry into Professor Alulrngren’s death, and practically accusing Zappi and Afariauo of leaving Alalmgren to die on the ice. The Tribuna points out that all three soldiens were under military discipline and received precise orders from General Nobile to establish contact with the outside world. Tins lives of the rest of the party depended on carrying this out. When Professor Alahngren’s death occurred, it was oertairjy the duty of Zappi and Mariano to go on. while their strength lasted. Zappi. in like fashion. would have had to abandon Mariano in his turn if lie had not been imprisoned on the icefloe. The Giornale di Italia denounces the “inhuman campaign of vilification.’’—Australian Press Association —United Service. (Received 10.40 a.m.) ROME. July 17. The Giornale di Italia further says:— “AA’e understand and respect the grief of the Swedish nation at tho loss of Processor Afahngren, but Sweden should respect Italy's grief at the loss of the Italia and priilo in the smiling heroism of Biagi. tlio legendary audacity of Sorn. awl tho sacrifice of Zanpi and Alariano. Their version of the tragic farewell to their comrades must bo accepted as the world accepts the story of Scott.”—Australian Press Association— United Semite.