Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-13
On Capt. Road Amundsen,
Antarctic Explorer.
Formally Recognized as Dis
coverer Of the South Pole.
Guest Of Honor ai National Geo.
graphical Society Banquet.

Washington, Jan. 12.-Capt Road
Amundsen. the noted Norwegian ex-
plorer was formally recognized for
the first time in the United States,
saturday night, as the discoyerer OF
the South pole and honored for his
achievement with special gold medal
by the National Geogra phict Society at
its annual banquet, where he was the
guest of honor.
Beside Capt. Amundsen sat Rear
Admiral Robert E. Peary, Z. S. N. re-
tired, To whom the society, two years
ago. gave a similar medal. recognize
ing him as the discoverer of the North
pole. The Amundsen medal bears the
inscription:
This special medal awarded by
the National Geographic Society to
Capt. Road Amundsen for his Ant
arctic achievement result in the at
tainment of the South pole. Dec. IA.
1911
On the other side is a chart of the
South Polar regions, surrounded hy a
wreath of laurel, with the emblem
of the National Geographical Society
at it's base.
A remarkable company attended the
banquet to honor the distinguished for
eigner, who year and a month ago,
lacking few days. reached the goal
which many noble explorers before
him had striven for
capt. Amundsen, in replying to the
speech of presentation of the medal
nodestly tried to minimize his own
great accomplishment and gave strong
words of praise to those who had pre-
coded him in the Antarctic fields.
IN a calm, quiet manner he referred
to his own work as no greater. no
more worthy of exceptional common
dation than that of many other ex
plorers.
When Capt. Amunsden arose to accept
the medal great applause greeted him.
Ambassadors. ministers scientists and
men prominent in many walks of life
Joining in it.
smile overspread the strong face
of the explorer; he bowed slightly and
waited for the applause to cease. Then
ne expressed his appreciation of the
honor conferred on him, thanking the
society for its recognition
The explorers day in this city began
early.
Introduction to President Taft by ri.
II. Bryn. the Norwegian minister. was
the first event on Capt. Amunsdens
program. He was given a luncheon at
the home of Gilbert H. Grosvenor, sec
rotary of the Geographic Society,
where he met the members of the gov
erning board of that organization, and
the guests included also the British
and French ambassadors and the Nor
wegian minister.
After that he repeated his lecture on
the dash to the South Pole. heard here
last night for the first time by an Amer
lean audience.
Capt. Amundsen Is striking figure.
tall. strong and smooth-shaven. He has
more to say about what he intends to do
in the future. Next July he will start on
a five-year drift across the Arctic basin
in the Fran. which is now at Buenos
Ayres. Instead of drifting from east to
west, as. he did before. he will enter the
Arctic from Behring Straits
Capt. Amundsen paid honor. today, to
the memory of the late Rear Admiral
Charles Wilkes, who made a famous ex-
petition into the Antarctic region 70 years
ago, and but for whose excellent work.
Capt. Amundsen declared. his recent trip
might never have been made. Capt.
Amundsen visited Miss Wilkes, daughter
of the admiral He said he though, TOO
little attention had been paid to the ex-
plorations of that officer.
Capt Amundsen announced, today, that
he had decided to take wireless with him
on his next trip into the North Pole re-
gions, leaving in July, 1914