The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-08
AMUNDSEN SAYS
 SCOTT REACHED
 THE SOUTH POLE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE D


 
 word of Captain scott's sccess, and he said he would be among the first noti- fled, probably by message from Captain Scott himself, Enough the agency of Captain Amundsen,' it it had happened the two explorers had crossed tracks on their dash to the pole.
 Was Amundsen Successful?
 With reference to the results of the Amundsen expedition, reports reaching London from various points gave early reports that the Norwegian explorer had not been successful in his quest. Later, ; however, Copenhagen dispatch said that the Social Demokrat published re- ports from Christensen which said that member of the crew of the Tram stated that Amundsen had reached the pole. None of the authorities here are in clned to credit the report of Captain Scott's success until confirmed. The race of the two men is eagerly watched by the British who fear that Captain Amundsen will win owing to his previous experience. It was he who discovered the Northwest passage. He had with him on this trip band of hardy Norwegians who were probably aided by skis in traversing the glaciers and also had several dog teams. He also had an advance of nearly eight months on
 
 100 miles nearer and his expedition was not a scientific one, thus allowing him to travel much faster than Captain Scott. The steamer Fram is the one with which Dr. Nansen made voyage of thousands of miles in the Arctic ocean in 1S93-4 and on which Captain Amundsen - planned to drift with the Arctic ice ise the north pole.
 Amundsen started in April, 1909. to carry out this drifting trip in search of the north pole, but changed his plans in the following year and proceeded by way of South America for the Antartic ocean. Late in 1911 Captain Scotts band sent word from Stewards island that it had come upon Captain Amundsen in the Bay of Whales. Ross sea. where the Norwegian had made his winter quarters.
 Arouses Keen Interest
 The keenest interest has been ex- cited by the strivings of explorers of five different nationalties to :, at tain the south pole. Captain Amundsen's S arrival at Hobart upon the heels of the rumor that Captain Scott had been sue cessful has increased the suspense as no details as to whether the expeditions have been successful have hitherto been avail able. Both captains are close personal friends. They met before they started the race for the pole like flash and when
 
 Hlans. they wished one another success.
 Captain Amundsen, whose expedition was a smaller one than that of Captain Scott. had slight advantage, his base of operations being about 80 miles nearer the goal than that of his opponent. Their equipment varied in many respects, Cap tain Amundsen relying on dog transport, and his men being equipped with snow shoes which they expected to make great progress, while Captain Scott took with : him dogs, ponies and motor sleds.
 Both Men Experienced
 Both explorers have had great ex- perience in polar explorations. Captain -ss Amundsen being the discoverer of the northwest passage and Captain Scott shaving participated .iI, a former ex- petition toward the south pole. Captain Amundsen's party consisted of only 16 men, while that of Captain Scott num- bers 80.
 The first message with the definite statement from Amundsen that Scott had reached the south pole was re- ceived from Wellington, New Zealand. by the Daily Express.
 It is said on good authority. accord- ing to a special dispatch received here today from. Christians, Norway. that Capt R. Amundsen, the Norwegian ex- plorer and leading rival of Captain Scott. did not reach the south pole.
 Mrs. Scott Incredulous
 Mrs. stott, wife of the British ex- plorer. has received no direct advices of her husbands reputed success She said today she was unable to ina zine how Captain Emundsen would know, declaring. however. "I hope the advices are true, but at preesnt l do not dare to believe it."
 Christiana. Norway. March 7.--King g Haakon of Norway. who was to have F, 7s