A FULL INQUIRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16706, 25 July 1928, Page 7

A FULL INQUIRY

THE ARCTIC TRAGEDY j MUSSOLINI’S ASSURANCE INHUMAN HOSTILITY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Times Cables.) LONDON, July 23. The Times ’ Rome correspondent reports that Signor Mussolini, announcing an eventual inquiry into General Nobile’s expedition, informed Cabinet that before definitely forming judgment., it was necessary to wait until flic drama had reached its epilogue. Continuing, he said: “We must protest against’the wave of inhumanity and hostility against the protagonists in an unfortunato enterprise whose members have shown courage and are deserving of universal respect. Only when all possible human researches have been made to trace the other victims, will a regular inquiry into all phases he instituted. It will be held in Italy, by Italians. Any other hypothesis is absurd and offensive and will be immediately rejected.” Mussolini thanked all who assisted, particularly the Krassin, and concluded by paying a tribute to the heroism of the late Professor MAlmgron. HORRIBLE STORIES ATE COMPANION’S BODY MYSTERIOUS ICE TREK (United Service.) LONDON, July 24. The Daily Mail’s Copenhagen correspondent states that the newspaper Folkets Avis received a telegram from Oslo announcing rumors that Com* manders Zappi and Mariano ate Professor Malmgren’s body, which accounts for the mystery surrounding their trek across the ice. In Oslo it is also rumored that Commander Zappi is ill, following serious charges in connection with Professor Malmgren. The physician on the ICrassin expressed tlic opinion that Commander Zappi had been foodless throe days when rescued, and Commander Mariano had been without food five days. CONFLICTING REPORTS WANDERING STATEMENTS THIRD FIGURE SEEN (United Service.) COPENHAGEN, July 24. A private telegram to an Oslo paper states that Commander Zappi’s utterances aboard the Krassin were of the most wandering character. His statement that he was foodless for 16 days surprised the physician, who considered three more probable, in view of Commander Zappi’s physical and mental condition. Commander Mariano’s state is such, however, .that it was feared he would not survive. The message states that when the Russians were landing on an iee-fioc from the Krassin they asked Commauder Zappi wSere Professoy Malmgren was. Commander Zappi pointed a few yards, but there was no sign of Professor Malmgren. Conuuandcr Zappi then stated that Professor Malmgren was left on Broch’s Island. The Russians replied they would seek ,him there. Commander Zappi made a response. ‘ ‘ That’s not the way cither. He remained behind on the iee.” The Moscow airman, Lieut. Ch.uknovsky, who sighted the Malmgren party before the Krassin. rescued them, says, “I circled round the camp several times to fix .the locality. I did not drop any of my small food supply, because the iee block whereon the camp stood was so small that the food might not have reached its destination. My fellow traveller, Atrec, said there were two men on the ice block. One waved a handkerchief. A third figure iu the form of a capital A lay on the ice a few yards distant. .1 then flew back to .the Krassin.” Lieut. Chuknovsky’s mechanic corroborates the report that the third man was seen on the ice with outstretched arms.

THE KRASSIN’S STORY RESENTMENT IN MOSCOW (Wireless Broadcast.) MOSCOW, July 23. The story told by members of the crew of the ice breaker Krassin has stirred Muscovites to increase the demand for an exhaustive inquiry into the Arctic, tragedy, and particularly into the fate of Professor Malmgren, the Swedish expert. One report alleges that Malmgren’s comrades stripped nim of his clothes and ate his food. There is hostile talk also against General Nobile. It is reported with satisfaction, however, that Signor Mussolini has pledged the Italian Government to a complete- inquiry. He says he xvill fully investigate, the disaster; but enters a strong protest against the inhuman criticism which has been levelled against participants in the expedition.—New York Times—2AC.