Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-01
Sir Ernest ShackIeton Cuts
Out Alcohol in His South
Polar Tramp.
NOTHING STRONGER
THAN TEA OR COCOA
Plans Under Way for Transconti-
mental Journey of LOO Miles.
Two Steamers in Expedition.
oreien Correspondence of The star.

rofelgn correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON, February 81. 1914
Total abstinence from alcoholic stimu-
1ants will be strictly observed during
Sir Ernest Shackleton's trip across the
south polar continent. He and his men
propose to work long hours. including
eight hours marching every day, but for
stimulant they will rely on nothing
stronger than tea or cocoa. The tea will
be taken at midday to refreshen the men
for afternoon march. and the cocoa the
last thing at night to preserve the body
heat during the hours Of sleep. Sugar
will figure largely in the rations.
On his last expedition Sir Ernest and
his companions took two or three Jumps
Of sugar every two or three hours and
he says ten minutes after eating they
could feel the heat going through their
bodies.
The men thus far chosen for the en-
petition are between thirty and forty
one years Of age. Shackleton, who Is
thirty-nine. believes that men are at
their best between twenty-five and forty.
4 man. he says, does not reach his full
strength until he is twenty-five, and
whatever may be the superiority Of youth
In the way Of spring, nerve and enthus-
iasm. these do not weigh against the
staying power of an older man or the
balanced judgment of one who has ex-
perience behind him.
Workday and Sleep Time.
The working day arranged for the
transcontinental party calls for an hour
Of preparation after waking, then four
hour march. an hours rest, and another
four-hour march. Sleep time. which In
previous trips has been observed between
6 pm, and 6 am, will be cut to eight
hours.
Sir Ernest is busy arranging for de-
tails of the expedition, which is regarded
as the biggest undertaking ever attempt
ed in polar exploration, since the dis
lance to traverse from Weddell sea to
Ross sea is 700 miles.
At first Shackleton proposed to return
from the south pole to Ross sea by one
of three routes, that taken by Scott in
his Inflated expedition. or by Amundsen
in his successful one, or a new one
known as the western route, crossing
the great range Of the Victorian cnaln
Of mountains. 1t has since been decided
petition will avoid the two old routes
and come out either through the Victoria
range or by a route to the eastward OF
Amundsen's track. If this can be done
the expedition will open entirely ne"
ground.
This greatly increases the difficulties
and dangers Of the journey. for the party
will! not have the advantage Of a chain
of food depots, which proved such ma
terial aid to their predecessors. They
will, however. be helped by the resources
of science to a degree never dreamt Of by
former explorers.
Assisted by Wireless Service.
The expedition will be assisted by a
wireless installation which will keep 1t
in touch with its base for most of the
time and WILL besides, have aeroplane
sledges.
Two steamers will support the expedi-
ton. A Norwegian steamer. for which
negotiations have been opened. will take
Sir Ernest and his party to the Weddell
sea, while the Aurora, which has seen