The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1911. THE ANTARCTIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 99, 16 June 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1911. THE ANTARCTIC.

. Iho loader of the German Antarctic expedition, Lieutenant Filchne.r, iinloMod his plane to ii representative ol Router’s Agency just before leaving Berlin to undertake the-task ho has sot himself. He explained that the general objects he had in view were to explore the innermost recesses of the Antarctic and to establish tho relations between the. masses of land lying west and cast of tho South Pole. Ho would take his ship to tho Weddell Sea, on the side of the southern continent opposite to the area explored by tho" British, and would follow tho coast of Coats’ Land as far south as ’possible. Ho expected to roach i lie ice-edge in November. when the conditions for forcing a passage through the broken Hoes were likely to ho favourable, and as_ soon as further progress in tho ship became impossible, ho would land eleven men anti establish a base. .“h rein this point,” added Lieutenant Filehnor, “four members of the party, v> ith Na isen sledges, will make a dash for the south. The ship meantime will work its way along the coast, carrying on coastal exploration. The scientific work of the expedition is to ho prosecuted with great vigour. Ice conditions and formations will he .studied in detail. investigations of great advantage to the whaling industry will bo carried out. Atmospheric conditions will be studied by means of kites, pilot and captive balloons, and the problems of atmospheric electricity will be closely examined. Tho expenses of the expedition are estimated at £70,000. The nxpedition is very completely equipped.” The vessel that is being used by tho German explorers is a converted whaler called the Dcutsehcland. The craft is said to ho very stoutly built, and it has boon specially fitted so as to ensure comfort both in the tropical and. polar regions. Wireless telegraphy appliances have been installed. Three motor-sledges and one motor wore placed on hoard the Doutschcland at Hamburg, and tho German explorer .said that he intended to secure dogs and ponies. The weak point in his plan of campaign according to British critics, is that his southern party will not ho able in start on its march until tho spring is well advanced. Ho will have scant time left him for a long sledging journey before the end of the short summer.