STILL NO WORD

Southland Times, Issue 20499, 30 May 1928, Page 7

STILL NO WORD

AIRSHIP ITALIA REPORTED LANDING IN ALASKA DANGER OF WESTWARD DRIFT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 12.20 p.m.) London, May 29. The Daily Mail’s Oslo correspondent states that faith is placed in a report that the Italia has landed in Alaska and preparations are being pushed on for relief expeditions. The base ship Citta di Milano, owing to ice obstructions is returning to King’s Bay. but a Norwegian plane piloted by Captain Riisen Larsen left for Tromso. It is stated that the Nobile party will be safe if they landed on ice to the east because the drift is southwards and they will survive until the autumn, but if driven west of Spitzbergen they must be gravely in danger. Captain Amundsen scouts the Alaska story that the Italian Government has chartered the woodcdf steamer Braganze which will sail for Tromso.—Australian Press Association. THE SOVIET CAUTIOUS. * (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) Moscow, May 29. The Soviet says it will not organize relief until it definitely knows in what direction the Italia has been blown.—Australian Press Association. ASSISTANCE FROM RUSSIA. Moscow, May 28. The aviation authorities are endeavouring to locate and assist the Italia, and all coastal steamers in Eastern Siberia and the northerly regions have been ordered to keep a lookout. —Australian Press Association—United Service. WIRELESS MESSAGE TRANSLATED. DIRIGIBLE IN DISTRESS. (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) Washington, May 28. The Navy Department on the basis of a similar message picked up by the American transport Chaumont in Chinese waters today explained the origin of the so-called Nobile distress message picked up on the Pacific coast. Navy code experts state that ASRAO3, was the signature of the Vladivostock Station, and the message should read as follows: “To all ships—From the Vladivostock Station I have something to transmit. General Nobile's dirigible is in distress and asking for help. He is supplied with a short wave 30.5 metre radio.” Mr Wilbur, Secretary to the Navy, said to-day that “some consideration” was being given to sending the dirigible Los Angeles to the aid of General Nobile, but it did not appear feasible this time.—Australian Press Association. FAINT MESSAGE RECEIVED. (Rec. 1.5 am.) London, May 29. The Central News Agency states that the Citta di Milano, which is icebound at North Cape Barren reports that a sealing vessel advised it had received a faint message apparently from the Italia implying that a forced landing had been made at Amsterdam Island. The Citta di Milano is sending a sleigh party to investigate.—Australian Press Association. WIRELESS APPEAL FOR HELP. RECEPTION IN GISBORNE. (Per United Press Association.) Gisborne, May 29. In reference to the cabled message that wireless signals from the Italia were received in America, the message was one broadcasted by the Siberian station, ASRAO3, Vladivostock, on 39.5 metres, the object being to give the widest publicity to it in view of the general anxiety at the disappearance of the airship. Mr Ivan O’Meara picked up ASRAO3’s signals last night, and explains that it was merely a repetition of the S.O.S. reported to have been heard some time previously. The San Francisco Examiner station also re transmitted the message, the operator adding that the newspaper contained two columns about the message alone, but that there was really nothing new in it.