The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-08

morning. on Capt. Amundsen's announce
ment teat hehad discovered the south pole.
points out that December "a to II means
that when he reached the geographical
pole he waited three days. taking noon
obeervati go as to determine his posi-
tion accurately and exclude any unoer-
tainty. The advantages Of three days
observations. Lieut.. Shackleton explains.
sre these:
Assuming that the explorer took
noon observation Of the altitude OF the
sun and found he was at the pole. a degree
Of uncertainty would exist because of
the slow movements Of the sun. which
completes circle with a hardly per-
oeptible rise or fall. II an observation
is taken on the second day at the same
spot and the difference Of the declination
Of the sun in it's north or south path cor
responds with the observation the day
before, and it does this again on the third
day. he may safely assume that his posi-
tion is accurate. II he was using the
theodolite which is unquestionably
most accurate instrument. there is no
doubt that he could ascertain the posi-
jon Of the pole to one mile"
Sir Ernest Shackleton. having in mind
the conflicting earlier reports, lraises
the question: Did Capt. Scott reach the
pole prior to December li?' Even IL he
did, Sir Ernest says the same need Of
praise should be awarded to Capt. Amund-
sen as the Norwegians would grant TO
Capt. Scott il the conditions were re-
versed. Sir Ernest speculated on the
possibility of the two expeditions, after
reaching the Beardmore Glacier. being
: in touch with each other sufficiently to
be aware of their respective movements
or even a conveyance by different routes
across the glacier with drama tic meeting
at the pole
Shackleton also said that il Amundsen
left the role December II he would very
likely, with fair wind behind him. re-
turn to winter quarters in about forty
FIVE days.
We then assume continued the ex-
:. plorer, that Amundsen reached the Bay
, of Whales at the end Of January. He
would take two or three days loading
and getting under way with the Fran, and
& would then presumably go north and
work to westward of Cape Andare, then
J, get into westerly winds and make Hobart.
The Fran being slow vessel, doing about
FIVE knots, would taHe a month, unless
strong winds were behind her, to reach
Hobart
"Amundsen's equipment, though not
go large as SCOTS, has eculiar advan,
tages. The Norwegians who accom-
panied Amundsen are accustomed &c
driving dogs and are born ski runners
IDogs will keep up the rapid pace which
ski runners are able to adopt which
naturally is faster than slow ploddinl
foot movements OF ponies. Amun dser
. had l12 dogs at the start, all first class anc
well broken in.
Reading between the lines Of Sir Ernest
Shackleton' speculations. it is evident
that he is inclined to think that Amund
sen s dogs and ski runners have beateI
MIS-. SCOTT scEPIIcAL.
Mrs. Scott throws cold water on tn.
despatch which states that Amundsen hat
said that Scott has reached the pole
She says she does not see how Amundsel
could know unless he has been to tn
pole himself, and she cannot see how h
could have met SCOTS expedition on it.
homeward journey. because Scott vii
return the way he went. which, she says
would not bring him face to face with tn
Amundsen expedition.
Mrs. Scott does not think Amundser
could possibly know anything abou
SCOTS pole discovery. and even II he di
it was not right for him. she says. to dis
aloee the news before Scott made IL knowr
She concluded by saying she hoped it wa
true. but for the present she said sh
dared not believe the news.
There was great rejoicing in Grea
Britain to-day over the reports receive