Evening star., 1928-04-29

the belt swept by the binoculars of the
Norges crew. some 200 miles south OF
the Pole There Is no longer, so far as
the quest for land Is concerned, any
considerable unexplored region in the
Arctic basin. AT most some piddling
parcels OF land may yet be found in
the shallow waters along the Siberian
coast. Capt. wilkins has made very
important contributions TO the science
of geography, meterology, Polar expora-
ton and aeronauticS. and he has es-
tablished himself very near the top OF
the lis of heroes first class. Do not,
of course. minimize Eielsons contribu-
ton, but the vision, the leadership, the
extraordinarily extensive and thorough
scientific equipment (as navigator. hy-
drographer, gcographer, combustion en-
CINE expert, etc. were wilkins. / am
world opinion, popular as we'll as ex-
inclined TO think that the consensus of
pert, win go with Amundsen's verdict,
mo Night has been made anywhere at
any time which could be compared
with IT,
wilkins navigation through an air
region of battling magnetic variations
must have been indeed marvellous.
What OF the plane we'll entitled TO
share in the glory? A tiny Lockheed
Vega monoplane. very light and easily
lifted, beautifully Streamlined. equipped
with one Wright Whirlwind engine.
capable OF I40 miles per hour and a
range of $500 miles, the smallest craft
ever used for Polar work.
OF the heroes OF aviation wilkins
Is one of the most interesting, He was
born on a sheep ranch in South Aus
tralia 40 years ago. He graduated from
Al II. 1T # lad lat
verSity. AT 30 he became moving
picture photographer and in that ca
pacity covered large part of the
planet, swapping from every sort of
stance, including balloon airShip. air
plane and flying boat. In the Balkan
wars preceding the World War he
was Photographic correspondent on the
Turkish front In 1913 he Joined the
famous Canadian Arctic expedition. led
by StefanSson. as Official photographer:
here he found himself. proved inval-
liable In every capacity. became Sec
ond In command. On news of the out
break OF the World War he left for
France, became chief of the photo
graphic airship section of the Australian
forces on the Western front and won
the British Military Cross for con-
spicuous heroism. In his official his
tory OF the Australian participation in
the war, Sir John Monas. commander
in-chtef of the Australian forces, SAYS
that II he had TO single out the hravest
and ableSt man under his command
wilkins would be that man. lie was
second In command OF the British Inn
perial Antarctic expedition. headed by
Shackleton, ended by ShackletonS
death, once more greatly distinguishing
himself finally the three years Arctic
effort now SO gloriously crowned The
Detroit Aviation Society. the Detroit
News and the American Geographical
Society are to be congratulated for
perssting 60 back wilkins In the teeth
OF run OF hard luck which almost
came TO discredlt him In the popular
estimation, even 10 make him sort
oi figure ot fun.
Space fnrhlds due appreciation Of
Carl II. Eilesnn. lie Is a North
Dakotan, graduate of the University of
North Dakota, won second lteutenancy
In our Air Service toward the close oi
the war. Is the pioneer commercial
aviator Of Alaska, a Sterling pilot Of an
intrepldlty equal To his chiefs, Never
did hero first class have more
competent or loyal lieutenant
Hut belize these euioeies are vain.
like snowflakes ON the river. In tomor~
rows paper We shall be reading how
Nj So and So. or Herr so and So. or
Capt So and So has reached the moon.
so fast these days does exploit tread the
heels ot exploit,
Notes The handshak- = 20 be ahol-
ished IA Italy ta be replaced hy the
Fascist salute, thing ot beauty, and
moreover hygiene
II Is asserted and denied that fsinan.
capital OF Shantung Province, China,
has been captured hy the combined
forces under Chang kal ahek chief at
the Marking tNatlonalisN government,
and his dubious ally Fens Nu Aslang
the Christian denelal
The woman voters aE GERMANY are
said 70 ontnumher the man voters by
about a.so0.00o,