The Nome nugget., 1925-07-04
ASKS FOR FACTS
 ON INTANGIBLE ISLAND
 EXPEDITION

oi facts concerning the fate or the Crawford expedition to Wrangel Island. in the Arctic. has been ask ed for in the House of Commons by Dr. F. J. Manion. a member.
 OTTAWA-The following was received from Mrs. Helen Crawford the mother of the late Allan Craw- ford. and published by the Ottawa Journal on April 30:
 Sir: Would You be so good as to publish this signed statement from the parents of Allan Craw- ford, the young science student, who. while commander of the Wrangel Island expedition, lost his life through the mismanagement of Vilhjaimur Stefansson.
 Yours truly
 (Mrs. J. T) Helen Crawford.
 16S Walmer Road. Toronto. April 2s. Contrary to Facts.
 The enclosure from Mr. and Mrs. Crawford follows:
 For many months past we have read in silence statements in the press contributed or inspired by yilhjalmur Stefansson "explaining' the tragedy of Wrangel Island. In some instances these statements have been contrary to facts: in others. false impression has been conveyed by more or less skilful use of partial truths for the pur- pose of deceiving the public and thereby, if possible. Tightening the burden of cupability for the trag- edv which MT. Stefansson now !! bears
 In addition to making mislead- /, ing statements MT. Stefansson in dulges in callous and futile specu- lations as to what cruel death may have been the unknown fate of our son, Allan Crawford. and his two companions Frederick Maurer and Milton Gale. .i' las en- deavored to convince the public tlsat their tragic end was mere accident. that starvation could not have been its cause. although he himself has admitted that a supply for six months was all the food he advised them to take, and has stated in the London Spectator of August IS. 1923D. that "their supplies probably gave out year ago!'
 Danger Loomcd Ahead.
 He has tried to give the inn rression that the second and fatal attempt of our son to make the perilous trip across the ever nov ing, treacherous sea-ice to Siberia was planned months ahead, and that it was not planned because he was facing starvation on Wrangel Island.
 It is true the first attempt tc cross to Siberia was planned r.onths ahead. but it too was plan ned because of the fear of starva tion. In last letter. dated Jan uary [. 1923, written just before SC etting out upon his first attempt to make the crossing. our son says that he considered leaving Wran gel Island "as early as last spring. ho sparse seal and bear were I de cided it would be unwise to sta! here with the dogs all winter Especially so since trapping is no : worth staying for" And in thu ! brief postscript, written on Jan uary 2S. with his frozen finger before attempting the second ant fatal journey he further emphas izes the danger of remaining upol the island. for. he says. "it woul' be disastrous to return secon' time" (to WrangeD,
 The entries in the diary o Lorne Knight. who died of scurv or the island. clearly indicate tha [ it was the shortage of food tha . made the fatal journey necessary lr The entry for January 12. 1929 says. "It will be impossible for al or us to stay at the main cam G. e. on Wrangel Island for ther is just enough grub there for thre people (hard bread. blubber an what foxes that are caught) to las until the seals and birds come" And the entry for January 2l 1923, further explains that would be impossible for all tn