Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-23
UNION JACK FLYING
FROM SOUTH POLE2
Report That Si1ackeIton Ex-
pedition Has Succeeded.
WILL NOT CONFIRM STORY
Secret Cable to London Said to Tell
of Near Approach.
MESSAGE IS NOT REVEALED
Explorers Obligation to Give First
Ctoru RI procc Nov Ewn1oi,, Rots.
WILL NOT CONFIRM STORY
MESSAGE IS NOT REVEALED
Explorers Obligation to Give First
Story to Press May Explain Reti-
cence as to Accomplishment.
Special Cablegram TO The Star

Special Cahlegram TO The Star
LONDON, March 23.-The Pail Mall
Gazette learns that information has been
received In London that the British Ant
arctic expedition. under command OF
Lieut.. f. II. Shackelton.' has succeeded
in reaching the south pole.
The news of Snackelton's success was re-
ceived by cable from New Zealand this
morning. and has caused the liveliest SEN
sation among Shackletons friends and
supporters.
Message Not Revealed.
LONDON, March 23.-A cablegram
was received here this afternoon direct
from Lieut.. E. H. Shackelton. the ant
arctic explorer, who earlier in the day
was reported as having reached the
south pole. The contents Of this mes
sage have not yet been given out.
1t has been declared by high
authority that the explorer failed Of
success. The expedition was obliged
to return when within about 100 miles
of the pole.
The secretary of the Royal Geographical
Society said today that he had no in
formation to Lieut.. Shackelton's sue
cess. This does not disprove the state
nlent. 1t is known that Lieut. Shackel-
ton contracted to furnish the first news
regarding his exploration to the London
newspapers.
Promised Story to Press.
1t is considered significant here that
Lieut.. Shackelton, when he came ashore at
refused all information regarding the de-
tails of his expedition. He at once went
to the cable Office and dispatched a mes
sage.
He looked the picture Of health and in.
timated that all his comrades were well.
Lieut., Shackelton's expedition bade
farewell to England at Cowes I'm July OF
1907 The last visitors to his ship, the
Nimrod, were King Edward and Queen
Alexandra.
The king presented the lieutenant with
a Union Jack to which was attached a
card bearing the message:
Let this Union Jack which I intrust
to your keeping, lead you safely to the
south pole
Shackelton Holds Tongue.
INVERCARGILL, New Zealand. March
23.-The barkentine Nimrod. which early
in l9eS took Lieut.. e. II. Shackelton's
here today on her return.
Lieut. Shackelton declined to make any
statement regarding his explorations The
Nimrod later left for Lyttelton the port
of Chryst Church, New Zealand.
The Carnegie Institution. department
of terrestrial magnetism. which is making
a close magnetic survey of the whole
world. is interested in the report. but does
ha -asl %1,n+
Shackelton had reached the south pole
1t was pointed cut that he has been gone
rather a short time for such an under
taking.
1t was suggested as possible. however.
that the explorer has made the magnetic
south pole. This is thought much more
proba bic. IN view of the fact that the
magnetic south. according to previous OBJ
servatons in that region. probably lies
! Gg0 miles To the ncrth of the geograph-
ical south pole.
Story of Expedition.
Lieut.. Shackleton sailed from tho
Thames July 80. 1901, on his search for
the south pole. His vessel was the MINI
rod. "a barkeneer of :27 tons. formerly
Newfoundland sealer. Lieut.. England
was commander.
The Nimrods equipment, among other
things. consisted of d steel motor car.
the latter to replace the fore wheels on
soft snow.
Shackleton took with him twelve
Siberian ponies and twentyfour dogs
Several scientists. with all necessary
instruments We're with the expedition
The plan was to establish winter
quarters on Kind Edward VII land for
twelve persons and make the attempt
hs. i'm he of
1905.
Lieut.. England was to return and
pick up the explorers last January
Meanwhile he would make magnetic
and maritime observations along the
coast of Kind Edward VII land. which
was practically an unknown field.
crowd of :n.UD persons saw the MINI
rod start January L. l1,s from Lyttleton.
on its adventurous voyage. From the
beginning the trip was crowded with eN-
citing incidents which followed fast upon
one another.
Bad weather WIS encountered and the
Nimrod was washed by heavy seas. Great
trouble was experienced in saving the
lives of the ponies during a twelve days
gale.
Eventually the party was safely landed
on King Edward VII Land There Capt
Scott's exporting ship. the Discovery. on
which Shackieton had made former
voyage to the anarctic WAS found showed
up, but intact.
The party had trying experience in
landing. The wind WAS terrific. and
spray from the sea drove in fercely.
When the blizzard WAS over the deck
Of the Nimrod was covered with ice nine
inches thick. The rigging was SO Goa. ed
that the men had to chop away the Ice
before the sails could be handled.
The Nmrod left thS explorers In the
antarctic wilderness at McMurdo sound.
where the winter house. which had been
brought from England in sections, was
erected. Then the Nimrod left Shackleton
and his plucky companions.
Ii was arranged that she was to return
i'm December January of this year aud
bring back the explorers.
Shackleton's Former Achievement.
Lieut.. Shackleton was one of three
men who. on December 30. 1902. planted
the | nion Jack i'm latitude s.16is s, i6.:
miles from the sonth pole a record which
has n9; been heretofore surpassed. lie
was confident before starting of the sue