The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-27
IN THE SOUTHERN SEAS.

IN THE SOUTHERN SEAS.
 An oficer of the Enslish navy. Lieu tenant shackelton has attained the dis tinction of "farthest South" in the search for the South Pole, even as an officer of the American Navy. Lieuten- ant Peary has attained the distinction of farthest north. The first report of Lieutenant shackelton's expedition presented the startling information that he had actually reached the South Pole. but later news showed that his party came within one hundred and sixteen miles of the magnetic center. known as the South Pole.
 The Antarctic ice seas have been the special field for English and German explorers. The Americans have devot- ed themselves especially to exploration of the Arctic seas and searches for the North Pole. It had been believed that the way to the North Pole. as dimcult as 1t is. was yet easier than the way to the South Pole. It had been expect ed that the explorers would finally reach the North Pole before one could overcome the ice mountains of the Antarctic Ocean.
 Just what the Shackelton expedition accomplished cannot be definitely known at this time. Tho expedition had returned to New Zealand and a brief cable of the results was sent to England. It develops that the party succeeding in getting within one hum dred and sixteen miles of the South Pole. and it Is expected that the re- ports of the members of the party will be of great scientific and geographical interest.
 The Shackelton expedition left Eng land under Royal patronage. The Eng fish scientific societies manifested as keen an interest in it as the American societies felt in the several expeditions of Lieutenant Peary. King Edward himself went to the dock to bid the party good bye and wish the comman- der and his party God-speed. Lieuten- ant Earnest H. Shackelton, who head ed the expedition. knew the task before him and he was well equipped to meet it's responsibilities. He had served as a subordinate ofiicer in the discovery expedition of Captain T. N. Scott, which penetrated far into the ice fields of the Antarctic Seas in 1so2-1so3. Lieu tenant shackeiton carried with him splendid corps of scientific observers. In this respect his party is said to have been superior to any sent to the Southern seas by either England or Germany.
 The party including the crew of the Nin1rod, the barkentine in which the these twelve formed the landing party which was to make the dash for the pole as soon as the impenetrable ice fields were reached. The landing party was left at the foot of Mount Erebus. and from that point Shackelton and his men made their run for the pole. To 1t they returned and there they were found by the Nimrod which left New Zealand in December to bring them back. The party is now safe in New England. from which place Lieutenant Shack elton has sent his telegram to the Secretary of the Royal Geograph- ical Society, which that official has de- clined to make public.
 It Is reliably stated. however. that the cable notifies the society that after great hardships the exploring party at- tained point within one hundred and sixteen miles of the magnetic center at which the pole is located.
 Two big tasks yet remain for the fu- ture explorers. Neither the North Pole nor the South Pole has been reached. Two great voyages of discovery are yet to be made.