Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-26
Sir Ernest Shackleton Calls
on President Taft.
INTRODUCED BY Mr.. BRYCE
British South Pole Explorer to De-
liver Lecture Tonight.
PRESIDENT TO PRESENT MEDAL
Discusses Friendly Rivalry Between
Nations and Declares His Belief in
Peary-Reception at Embassy.

Sir Ernest Shackleton. the English ex-
plorer, who has come closer to the south
pole than any other white man. and who
reached Washington last night, called
upon President Taft at the White House
this morning and was introduced to the
President by the British ambassador The
President gave Sir Ernest a warm well
come. and the friendly rivalry between the
United Staxs and Great Britain in polar
exploration was one topic Of discussion.
Tonight the President will be one of the
audience which will hear Sir Ernest lee
ture on antarctic exploration in Conven-
ton Hall. Before the lecture the Presi-
dent will present to Sir Ernest a gold
medal on behalf of the National Geo.
graphic Society. under whose auspices the
English explorer will speak
Sir Ernest made a call also upon Miss
Jane Wilkes. the daughter Of Admiral
Wilkes, q. S. N, who made explorations
OF the antarctic region for the United
States and after whom Wilkes Land was
named. The young English explorer sent
word to Miss Wilkes this morning that
he and Lady Shacklelon would take
pleasure in calling upon the daughter of
the distinguished naval officer who had
been forerunner of his in the antarctic
Miss Wilkes, whose residence is at Sli
Connecticut avenue. was much gratifed
at the attention Of Sir Ernest and Lady
Shackleton. She invited a few OF her
friends to meet them. and among the
company which gathered to welcome Sir
Ernest and his wife were Rear Admiral
Pillsbury, u. s. N, retired. and Miss
Greely, daughter of Gen. Greely. who
made record many years ago as an ex-
plorer of the arctic regions.
Sir Ernest complimented Miss Wilkes
upon the achievements OF her father in
the far south.
First Visit to Washington.
The British explorer expressed himself
today as much interested In America, and
particularly in the National Capital, to
which he is making his first visit. He
declared the city one of the most beau
tiful he had ever seen. While enter
tanning the most friendly feeling toward
America and Americans. Sir Ernest spoke
enthusiastically of his plans to bring
about an English expedition which should
nail the Union Jack to the south pole
ahead Of any other flag.
Il am determined Great Britain shall
be victorious in the race to the south
pole" said Sir Ernest He said that his
plans for the expedition, or, rather, for
fitting 1t out and for starting it, were
still incomplete. 1t is understood that he
will not himself head the dash for the
pole, but that Sir Henry Scott Of the
British navy will be in charge of the
field work, while Sir Ernest will give
the party the benefit of his former ex-
periences In the anarctic. and will see
to the fitting out of the expedition.
IT believe that Commander Peary
reached the north pole, for I know him
and have the utmost faith in him as a
man and an explorer" said Sir Ernest.
He added that he did not care to make
any statement in regard to the claims
made by DR.. Cook that he reached the
north pole.
Sir Ernest said that II provisions had