The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-06-05
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
World Awaiting Word From
the Amundsen-E Ellsworth
North Pole Flight.
BY EDWARD w. PlcKARp


THE success or failure of the
! Amundsen- Ellsworth attempt to fly
to the North pole may be made known
to the world at any moment On the
other hand, the fate of the daring ex-
plorers may remain shrouded in the
mists and snowstorms Of the Arctic
regions for several weeks or even for
months. At this writing, one week
after the departure of the two planes
from Spitzbergen. no sign has been re-
ceived from Captain Amundsen and
his companions This does not neces-
sarily mean that they have met with
disaster. for it is announced by Bernon
S. Prentice of New York, brother-in-
law of Lincoln Ellsworth, that Ahund-
sen planned to go on to Alaska If he
was successful in locating the North
pole, and If conditions were favorable.
Though it may have been necessary to
make landings and though this may
have wrecked the planes. the party
was fully equipped for the attempt to
return to civilization on foot and had
food supplies for one month.
Polar experts said 1t was too soon
to send out relief expeditions. but
already movements are on foot to that
end, both in America and in Norway.
Amundsen and Ellsworth, before they
started, appointed an advisory COM
mittee on relief, of which Mr.. Prentice.
mentioned above, is the chairman. The
Norwegian government says 1t is
ready, at moments notice, to send
out relief expedition. President
Coolidge and all other American gov
eminent officials are intensely inter-
ested and will see that this country
gives whatever aid Is necessary and
practicable. Suggestions that either
the Los Angeles or the Shenandoah,
dirigibles, be sent to the Arctic, do not
meet with official approval.
Capt. Donald Macmillan, who is him
self to lead an Arctic expedition soon,
said to officers of the National Geo
graphic society: "If Amundsen is to
return to civilization in the flesh, he
must make quick getaway. The Ice
area is rapidly expanding in the Arctic
circle. and every day of delay adds to
the hazards of the situation that con-
fronts him."
A LBERT B. FALL, former secre-
"A tary Of the interior. and Harry r.
Sinclair and Edward L. Doheny, oil
magnates, have been indicted again
by grand jury in Washington In con-
nection with the Teapot Dome affair.
These indictments are substitutes for
those recently quashed on the ground
that government legal representative
was Illegally present in the jury room
when they were voted. In general the
former charges are repeated, but the
Sinclair indictment charges new overt
acts in addition to those set forth in
the Indictment of last year. Chief
among these is the alleged passage of
$3.50, 800 in Liberty bonds from Sin
clair to Fall through the Continental
Trading company, Ltd. a Canadian
corporation.
Out in Los Angeles. Federal Judge
p. J. Mccormick rendered decision
in the Doheny lease case, ordering the
Doheny interests to surrender for can
collation. their leases in the Elk Hills
naval reserve No. and their contracts
for construction of oil-storage facilities
at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The leases
were declared void both because of
fraud upon the United States" and
because the transfer of leasing author
ity to the Interior department was ir-
regular. A financial settlement for oil
taken out and for construction work
done in Hawaii was ordered.
A LII this country, at least. is be-
"A coming deeply interested In the
coming trial of John P. Scopes, biology
instructor in a school of Dayton, Tenn.
for violating the state law which for
bids the teaching of the theory of
evolution in public schools. 1t is
test case, deliberately arranged by Mr..
Scopes and his friends. and he is as
sured of the support of scientists and
others who welcome the issue between
liberalism and. flndamentalism. The
fundamentalists viii be commanded.