Evening star., 1928-06-02
MOBILE CRASHED,
ITALIANS BELIEVE
Alpine Troops Prepare to
Start for North Spitz-
bergen on Skis.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
KINGS BAY. Spitzbergen, June a.
Firm in the belief that the dirigible
Italia crashed among the mountains
and glaciers of northern Spitzbergen,
Italian Alpine troops today were eager
to start for the north on skis in the
hope of finding the crew of the airship,
dead or alive.
Members of the base crew based
their belief on the known wind direc-
ton on the morning of May 25, when
the last radio message was received
from the Italia. They estimate that the
airship crashed between Wood Bay and
Wide. Fjord in the neighborhood of
Hinlopen Strait. Hinlopen Strait sepa-
rates the island of West Spitzbergen
from North East Land and this vicinity
has been suggested by experts as a
likely place to seek the Italia 1t was
calculated that the catastrophe occur
red not further north than between 70
and 30 degrees and not further east
than the eighteenth meridian.
II the airship crashed into one of
the numerous mountain peaks in the
prevailing fog, belief which persists,
IL was thought that there was scant
possibility Of the crew being found alive
Commandant Romagna, in command of
the Cttta Di Milano, was not enthusi-
astic over the desire Of the troops to
seek the Italia on skis. Capt. Sora Of
the Alpinists, however, was eager to
lead his men In the hazardous under
taking.
The men themselves realized that the
route Tas more dangerous than usual
because the Spring sunshine has begun
70 melt the SNOW on the glaciers and
open up deep cracks.
They hoped, however, TO be ordered
to proceed nortnward early next week
The expedition would consist Of seven or
eight AIpfnigts led by a guide from
Kings Bay. II would take enough
food 70 last three or four weeks and
have dog team, guns, axes and medi-
cal supplies.
II was supposed that the party, II
ordered out, would start overland at the
same time that the Citta Di Milano. the
sealer Hobby and the ice breaker
Eraganza 90 north by sea. Lieut..
Luetzow- Holm, who is aboard the
Hobby. viii make the first search for
the Italia by air with Norwegian
Seapiane.
In the meantime another searching
party consisting Of tour AlpiniSts was
proceeding across the snow and Ice
01 the north, visiting the shelters In the
hope of learning the fate Of their COM
patriots.
Relief Ship Arrives.
Search for the Italia was given fresh
impetus today with the arrival In Kings
Bay q the steamship Braganza. which
viii carry the Italian Aipinssts 70 North
ern 6pitzOergen,
The Eraaanza win wait here for the
SezleY Hobby, which Is due tomorrow,
carving Lieut.. Luetzow Holm, Eorwe-
gizn flyer. and his hydropiane, In which
the first air search for the Italia win
be made.
During the day Cou1dr. Romagna,
captain Of the base ship Citta di Milano,
conferred with the captain Of the Bra
ganza. The present plan is TO trans
port the AipiniEts, WHO are eager 70
start out Immediately, 10 Northern
Epatzbergen and 70 put them ashore
there with sIedgez and all necessary
supplies for an extensive overland
search.
When the spitzDergen hunter, Paul
KreTOen. and the four Italians now OUT
with him on skis have searched the ter
rain as far zs MoSei Bay, In Northern
Epltzs,ergen, KKeoer with one of the
Italians will 20 10 Advent Bay 10 report
his ooseryati0ns, while the three other
Italians viii continue the search until
the Eoobg ard EragapZa come North
with tkae Norwegian expedition.
TIE steamer Ingefour, With Capt
Riser Larsen atZ1ard, probably viii star
North next Thursday " assist Lieut.
Holm hi the cir reconnaissance.
T'ge cstta 6i Miiano today received q
message from Rome stating that bie
Italian flydxo~alrpI&ne VIII fly into King
Bay from Rome shortly With four usen
abgard The plane has a radius 0i
2.S09 miles and VIII make the Journey IN