The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-12
SOUTH POLE FINDER
IS HONQRED
CAPTAIN ROALD AMuNDSEN IS
PRESENTED WITH MEDAL
IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, Jan. II. Captain
Roald AmunGsen, the noted Norwe-
! gian explorer, was formerly recognized
! for the first time in the United States
today as the discoverer of the south
pole and honored for his accomplish
ments with a special gold medal by
the National Geographic society at its
annual banquet, where he was the
guest of honor. Beside Captain
Amundsen sat Rear Admiral Robert T..
Peary, United States navy, retired, to
! whom the society two years ago gave
a similar medal recognizing him as the
discoverer of the north pole. The
Amundsen medal bears the inscrip-
ton: This special medal awarded
by the National Geographic society to
CAPTAIN Roald Amundsen for hisAnt-
arctic achievements resulting in the
attainment of the south pole. Decem-
Der IS, 1911"
On the other side is a chart of the
south polar region surrounded by a
wreath of laurels. with tn emblem of
the National Geographic society at the
base.
Notable Company.
A distinguished company attended
the banquet to honor the noted for
eigner, who, a year and a month ago,
lacking a few days, reached the goal
for which many notable explorers be-
fore him had striven. Captain Amund
sen, replying to h speech of presen-
tation of the medal. modestly tried to
minimize his w accomplishment.
n gave strong words of praise to
those who a preceded him in the
Antarctic fields. In a calm manner
ne referred to his own work as no
greater, no more worthy of
dation han that Of many other ex-
plorers.
When Captain Amundsen arose to
accept the medal. a sd1vo of applause
greeted him from ambassadors, minis
ters, scientists and other men promi-
nent in life.
A smile o~verspread the strong face
of the explorer. He bowed slightly
and waited the applause to cease,
Then he expressed the appreciation
of the honor conferred upon him and
hanked the society for its recogni-
lion.
Admiral tPeary, in making the media,
presentation. stated briefly it's pur-
pose and added
Health, strength, success be with
you"
"As a boy" Captain Amundsen re-
piled, II followed the work of Peary.
I followed him in, my thoughts as inch
by inch he went on until he planted
the Stars and Stripes in the most
difficult part of our globe. I thank
him for the ,experisnde 1t was really
Peary who sent me to the south pole,
for was preparing to go north until
l heard he had reached the north
pole, when l decided to turn south"
Another Antarctic enthusiast was
honored by the society tonight when
it honored Mr. Jusserand, who was
presented an honorary membership.
Ambassador Bryce of Great Britain
made the occasion a valedictory one,
expressing his sorrow that it was the
last time he and Mrs. Bryce would be
present to attend the annual banquet
of the society. He referred to the
night as AN occasion so historic that
1t makes us feel as if we We're all
historic figures, for it is ar occasion
which can never happen again."
Captain Amundsen paid honor to-
day to the memory of the late Rear
Admiral Charles Wilkes, who made a
famous expedition into the antarctic
region rs years ago. and but for
whose excellent work Captain Amund-
sen declared his recent trip might
never have been made. Captain
Amundsen visited Miss Wilkes.
daughter of the admiral. He said he
thought too little attention had been
paid to the explorations of that of
ficer.
Captain Amundsen announced hat
he had decided to take wireless with
him on his next trip into north polar
regions, leaving in July, 1914. His
plan had been not TO have wireless
as he feared that it might at times
during the -four or five years they will
be gone carry bad news from nome to
his men and make them melancholy.
But he has arranged that only one
man shall read the wireless messages
received. and if they contain bad news
he is to suppress them.
Captain Amundsen's reason for
changing his mind was because a
number of scientists had persuaded
him that his various observations
would be immensely more valuable If
they could be checked up with stimuli
taneous observations in other parts
of the world. In the interest of
science he yielded.
The explorer was much shocked to
learn for the first time of the sui
eide in Christiana, q few days ago, of
Captain Hjalmar Johanssen, who had
been with him on his recent trip. 80,
so, So" he said, speaking it slowly
and thoughtfully. Then he praised the
work of Captain J~ohanssen. saying he