The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-12
GRIEF M|NGLES WITH
PRIDE OVER FATE OF
CAPT. ROBERT SCOTT
England Stirred With Sim
pie Heroic Message Left
by Dead Antarctic
Explorer

London, February 1f.-Grief and pride
over the simple narrative Of courage,
endurance and sacrifice given in Capt.
Robert r Scott's farewell message to the
world. are close competitors for domf-
nance in the feelings of the British pub
lie today
ut is a white and not a black mourn
ing we wear for these gallant souls who
have done and dared SO greatly" was
the sentiment.
The comment came from cabinet min
ister. The closing words Of Captain
seotts epic we're:
.sIad we lived I should have had a
tale to tell of the hardihood equalling
QUO vadis the endurance of my COM
panions which would have stirred the
heart OF every Englishman. These rough
notes and our dead bodies must tell the
tale. But surely surely a great and rich
country like ours will see that those who
are dependent upon US are properly pro-
vided for
These words have had an electrifying
effect Steps are afoot to respond to his
appeal to the nation by assuring a COM
Portable future for those dependent on
the men who, while awaiting certain death
could still divine and write they did not
regret the journey. Captain Scott's in
terest in the welfare of his men was
emphasized by practically the last busi-
ness he transacted before he left to join
The expedition in New Zealand This was
the sale of his story.
He declined to make any private profit
from the transaction and decided that
the total receipts should go to increase
the financial reward of the men who had
undertaken to share with him the dangers
of the Antarctic region. It was arranged
that all funds raised from the sale of
the story of the adventure should be dis
tlibuted among the members of the crew
as a surprise bonus on their return to
England Mrs. Scott is assured of a
good pension from the British govern
ment. A memorial service for Captain
Scott and his companions is to be held
in st. Pauls cathedral on Friday. Flags
in all parts of London are flying at half
mast today.
Referred to by Premier
The tragedy OF Capt Robert e. Scott $
Antarctic expedition was referred to to-
day in the house of commons by Premier
Asquith
I'VE all at this moment are under the
deep impression created by the reading
of the last message to the world left by
Captain Scott said the premier. 1T is
the message of brave, enduring man in
the face of a most tragic death. His
career was one of self sacrifice and de-
votion to the service of his country. We
can only say that his last appeal will
not fall on deaf ears
gOf the five explorers who perished Cap
tain Scott, DIR. Edward A. Wilson and
Petty Officer e. Evans were married
Capt. L. E. G. Oates and Lieut.. ii. r.
Bowers were single. Merchants and ship
owners of Cardiff, whence the Terra Nova
sailed for the Antarctic. are arranging to
erect statue of Captain Scott.
Commander Edward r. G. Evans of
the Terra Nova cabled today from Christ
church, New Zealand, to Mrs. Evans, the
widow of Petty Officer Edgar Evans:
THE members of the Antarctic eXpedi-
ton wish to express their deepest SYM
pathy with you in your sad loss"
Mrs. Evans is left with three children
aged Z, and 4 years.
The committee of the British Antarctic
expedition will issue national appeal for
a fund to provide for the relatives of the
dead explorers. Among those who will
sign the appeal is Lord Strathcona.
The admiralty tonight issued an Off
cial expression of its regret at the loss
of the heroic officers, saying:
''The circumstances under which Cap
tain Scott and his comrades lost their
lives prove with what constancy and res
olution they carried out the duty for
which they volunteered The lords and
commissioners of the admiralty consider
that their loss should be regarded as ii
they had been killed in action and their
story will long be remembered with honor
by the navy"
Nothing has been decided as to what
steps the government or the admiralty
will take, but full confidence is felt that
ample provision will be made.
May Open Fund
The lord mayor of London has asked
the first lord OF the admiralty, Mr.
Churchill whether he will open fund
Mr.. Churchill's reply has not yet beer
given but the lord mayor says: IF il
should be found necessary to open a fund
the mansion house will rise worthily to
an occasion which affects us all"
The Daily Telegraph, which has opened
a fund for a national memorial to Cap
tain Scott ard his dead comrades, says
1--WE owe II to ourselves and to pos
terity to place on record in some worthy
substantial and enduring form our sense