The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1910-03-03

american party leading in from We'd
dell sea is also thought to be over
the land, though next to nothing is
actually known concerning it. a
coast line has been discovered, and
this is supposed to be the shore of
the antarctic continent It may, how
ever, be only a shell. with open sea
beyond it. Again, it may lead to
high and practically inaccessible
mountain ranges. This uncertainty as
to what the Americans may encounter
would put the odds in favor of the
British, since they will follow for
most of the distance the course al
ready traversed by Lieutenant Shac-
keton, just as Shackleton. in turn,
kept close to the track made by Cap
tain Scott in his first expedition Of
1904
Two Polar Dashes In 1911.
The Englishmen will go in from
New Zealand and the Americans from
Punta Arenas, on the southern ex-
tremity of South America. The start
in each case will be made next sum-
mer. The seasons in the southern
hemisphere are. of course, the exact
reverse of ours, Christmas occurring
in midsummer there and the 18th of
July in. midwinter 1t is designed to
go into winter quarters in 1911 and
to make the actual polar dashes dur
ing the spring and summer of 1912.
It successful the expeditions will then
start home early in 1912 1t is bare
ly possible that news may be heard
of one or both ventures before either
reaches cable station, as the British
intend to take wireless apparatus and
to establish wireless stations at their
two bases, which will be approximate
~ 500 miles apart. 1t is not impossi-
BILE that these wireless stations could
be utilized for communication with
the outside world. although the dis
lance will be very great.
Captain Robert Falson Scott. the
leader of the British expedition, was
born in 1868 and has been in the navy
since 1882. He served in various ships,
becoming successfully lieutenant, COM
mander and captain, which last rank
he has held since 1904. His first ant
arctic expedition started in from Port
Lyttleton, New Zealand, which will
be the base Of the new venture. Near
the eightieth parallel a high ice bar
rier was found. but long shift was
made, pass discovered, and an ap-
proach was pushed toward the pole,
which stopped few hundred miles
short Of the record made by Lieuten-
ant Shackleton last year. = 1t is not
without interest that Shackleton gain
ed his first antarctic experience as
member of this first Scott expedition.
1t is hardly probable that he will &C.
company the next one, as he is now
busy writing a book, but either next
summer or later may lead an expedi-
ton of his own. He will shortly visit
America, where he is to be signally
honored.
Why Shackleton Turned Back.
Lieutenant Shackleton's account Of
the last days of his journey is, thrill
ing, and as it describes conditions
which will be met by the two expedi-
tons now forming subjoin few ex-
tracts:
The blizzard had done its work, how
ever. and we recognized that we had Just
about reached our limit. We got up at
z a. m. and at 4 a. m. were away for a
final march south, taking with us nothing
out food, instruments and the queens
flag. with bamboo rod for staff.
Half running, half walking, we made
that last march, and at a. m. in latitude
50 degrees q minutes we hoisted the union
jack. We could do no more, for to go
ting back to our depots.
Inc pole, though only ninety-seven geo.
graphical miles away Oil statute miles,,
was impossible for us to attain. Before
US stretched the same white plain over
which we had travelled for many days.
Our powerful Goertz glasses showed ne
signs Of land. and we could safely as
sumo that the geographical south pole
was situated on this immense plateau, be-
tween 10000 and II 900 feet above sea Level
and certainly the coolest and one Of the
most stormy parts Of the world. We took
q photograph Of the party. with tho
queens dag blowing out in the icy wind
that cut US to the bone, took possession
OF the plateau on behalf of his majesty
and Immediately began the march back to
our camp. our faces once more turned
north.
The leader of the American expedi-
ton win probably not be announced
for some time. The most likely men
for the post are Borup and Mcmillan,
both Of whom accompanied Peary in
his north pole dash. Whoever is in
command, Robert E. Peary will be the
actual head Under his guidance and
Inspiration we have right to hope
that. despite the handicaps against the
Americans. they will win the race and
that the first flag raised at the south
pole. as at the north. win be the stars
and stripes.