Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-07

Wellington, New Zealand, March T.
Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, /,
states Captain Scott, the British ex-
plorer, has reached the south pole.
London, March THE first message
with definite statement from Amund-
sen that Scott has reached the south
pole was received from Wellington.
New Zealand, by the Daily Express.
FIVE IN THE RACE.
The New Zealand cable announcing
Scott had found the south pole comes
as a startling climax to a race in
which FIVE explorers OF different na-
tionalities were making to reach this
last extremity of an und,s rovered pJr-
tion OF the globe. Scott started from
Port Chalmers, New Zealand. Nov. %,
1910. He sailed due south into Ross
sea, a great stretch of waIer reaching
10 the south pole. HIS chief compeu-
tor was Captain AmGndsen. Norwa-
gian. who chose a route by way OF
South America.
DASH BEGUN IN NOVEMBER.
Amundsen left Buenos Ayres on the
steamer Fran toward the close of
1910. He steered for the Ross sea,
the same sheet OF water which Scott
gained by way of the New Zealand
route Scott planned to follow the
same land trail that Shackleton had
taken at the furthermost point Of the
Ross sea, near the volcanic Mount
Erebus, where Scott landed. He made
his first winter. aHarteFszon the slope
of the mountains and there remained
until November. 1911. 1t was then
that his dash began.
PONIES As AIDS.
His plan was to cover the remaining
distance by the end Of December, and
the immediately about face and make
the dash back again. Beside his
equipment OF food he had placed re-
lance on a score of ponies, with %
dogs, and one motor sledge. Amund-
sen had no ponies and no motor
sledge, as his experience led him to
place all reliance on Siberian dogs.
MORE DANGERS AT NORTH.
From a geographical and scientific
standpoint the discovery Of the south
pole, while a momentous event, has
not the same features OF importance
and danger as relate TO the north pole.
Quest for the north pole has been
through great fields OF open water and
floating ice. whereas the south pole
is situated on land.
FEW PERISH IN QUEST.
Scores Of navigators perished in the
quest Of the north pole. but relatively
few trying TO reach the south pole.
The problem OF reaching the south pole
was in passing rapidly over the snow.
covered foothills. the mountain range
and the terrifying glaciers.
London. March 1T is stated on
GOOD authority. according to a dis
patch received here this evening from
Christania, Norway. that Amundsen
the Norwegian explorer, and leading
rival OF Scott. did not reach the south
pole.
ANOTHER STORY.
Copenhagen. March THE Socia
Demokraten publishes dispatch from
Christiania saying a private indiyidua
in that city received a telegram from
the Fran expedition stating Amund
sen reached the south pole.
London. March T.-Nothing has leak
cd out here yet as to whether Captain
Amundsen, the Norwegian Arctic ex
plorer, who had reached Hobart. Tas
mania. was successful or otherwise il
his attempt to attain the south pole
Captain Amundsen's return TO civiliza
ton two weeks before he was expect
ed caused some surprise
SCIENTISTS sPECULAT. -.
II is pointed out by officials of IN,
Royal Geographical society tha
Amundsen intended 10 make a dasl
pure and simple TO the south pole AM
that he had no intention OF carryini
out any large program OF scientih
work. While no opinion can be form
cd whether his early return means sue
cess or failure. It is considered hkel
he may have perseyered in sledg
work throughout the wint 2
II favored by good weather and ic
conditions he may have achieved II
suits at any rate striking enough I
justify him in making the journey bac
earlier than he had originally il
tended.
Sariou. Eire In Raehester