Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-09

when the Norwegian flag was iioisted
and possession of the geographical south
pole was taken on behalf of Norway.
Here / would like to point out that
Amundsen. in taking possession and in
planting the flag at the south pole and
naming the plateau after King Haakon
VII, must. | presume, he unaware of
the fact that we. our expedition,
named the same plateau after King
Edward V1I.s an error on his part I'm
nomenclature which he WILL no doubt.
remedy when he is aware of the facts
in the case.
Around him stretched the vast plain!
small party Of five, they stood high up
on the roof of the world, and | can well
imagine that all the pain. suffering. hard
ship and discomfort, such as frost bite
and snow blindness, were forgotten in
that supreme moment. Hunger | cannot
refer to. because it seems to me. to Judge
from the cable, that hunger. fortunately
for them, did not enter into their ex-
perfence.
Fix Position of Pole.
Very carefully and methodically they
proceeded to establish the position OF
the geographical POLE marching south on
the following day nine kilometers in or
der to establish. SO far as was humanity
possible with the instruments they had.
the exact position. / note they used the
seXtant and artificial horizon, which for
actual efficiency in very high ATTITUDES are
not as absolutely accurate as a theodolite.
but / consider that IL they located their
position, with no more possible error than
two or three miles one way or the other,
by their marching around, they have GER
tainly left their footsteps on that point
from which everything bears north.
Amundsen here states that professional
men can work out his observations. but
there will be no need for this, except for
minor corrections. 1t is obvious that
Amundsen has conquered the geographic
cal pole.
The march back was accomplished
without difficulty in splendid weather and
record time, and the most remarkable
thing of this whole journey has been the
speed with which 1t was made Ihey
returned to winter quarters safe and
well. having experienced for the whole
trip generally fair weather.
A subsidiary party. at work in king
Edwards Land, brought back geological
specimens the arrival of which i'm the
hands of experts will be eagerly awaited
by the scientific world.
Results of Importance.
Summing up the geogra phical results.
they are of the highest Importance.
Amundsen covered entirely new ground
throughout his whole journey. He has
defined the limits of the great ice barrier.
a secret up till now held from men. His
work i'm pure science will not be as en-
tensive as Capt SCOTS, but the geo.
raphical work is undoubtedly of equal
Importance.
There Is no reference made OF any
meeting with Scott. and this in view or
the kilograms and cables Received, Is
easily accounted for. Under the circum-
stances the two parties would never DO
In touch with one another. IL Scott
reached the pole at the same time, or
before ROAD Amundsen. there is pos
sibility that If the cairns made by the
respective explorers to indicate the at
tainment of their object were not more
than six or eight feet high either party
might miss the others mark.
There is one thing, however, l feel GER
tain of: That Amundsen reached the
geographical south pole December il or
L. 1911 When news comes from Capt.
Scott we will know whether he reached
the pole at all. and, If he reached it,
whether he reached II before December
IA If he reached it later the Norwegians
can claim the conquest of the pole. but
If before December IA, and but two or
three miles separated the parties by diff
ficulty of observation, then England can
claim the prize yet
Whatever may happen, as L have SAID
before to both is due honor for worthy
eudeavor to plant the flag of their re-
spective countries for their country sake.