Evening star., 1928-03-25

ever 1t is. must be strong. simple and
Trustworthy. A breakdown beyond
repair miles from base OF supplies
probably would prove fatal TO the men
involved.
It is not without reason therefore
that many noted authorities place little
reliance on man-made machines under
these conditions r. NJ. Rudmose-
Brown, noted English authority on
polar explorations. raises this same
point
rs 1t safe to rely on mschine?" he
asks. rs the margin of safety not too
narrow when the only line OF retreat
on the machine giving way Is to con.
tinue on foot. hauling sledges? II Is all
a question of reasonable risk. for risk
there must be on any journey OF shis
kind
"A man knows his own measure. but
he can never know the measure OF the
machines capacity. The machine Is
bound 10 introduce an uncertain eie-
rnent i'm the calculation and SO increase
the risk OF failure as well as the chaase
of success"
When comdr. Byrd starts on his
southern expedition. probably In August.
his party win carry along the best
scientifically approved food Tor such
climatic conditions, food containing the
necessary vitamin elements that are
supposed to be proof against fhs dread
scuTvy.
Question Of Diet.
Here again IL occurred 10 mind hat
this must be q distinct advantage over
the old days of ssstenance in the
frozen zones
None al ALL" Gen. Greely replied 10
such a question The proof Of the
pudding is Tn the eating"
As n veteran who has eampaigned
for years under almost every known
condition on Army rations. the mere
thought of capsules" appeared TO CRATE
on his nerves. What provisions could
be better than mine?" he asked In re-
turn. You can't improve very well on
ration that kept IS men alive for
two years In good health. Outs was
the only expedition that remained in
the field for 50 long period that was
not depleted by disease and s1rrvy.
What better proof OF the 'pud ling
could be had than that?"
The main reliance of the Greely ex-
petition, he explained, was in canned
meats. canned onions and potatoes.
with dried fruits such as peaches and
apples. Occasionally this diet was
varied by the fresh meat Of musk k-oxen.
These elements OF food-fninus the
musk -oxen-it Is interesting to note, are
included In the contemplated stores for
the Byrd expedition Added 70 them
viii be large supplies OF pemmlcan on
which one can live several months
without Scurvy.
Byrd will start out on a $500. 900 ven-
n
an equipment that will convey news o.
his progress each day 10 the public di-
rect by radio. On the iceship Samp-
son, three airplanes and rs dogs VIII
saii with the party for the Ross Ice
Barrier TO spend three to fifteen months
i'm the frozen South These planes.
once a base Is established, will explore
thousands Of miles Of land and sea un-
seen by man.
The Antarctic has a way Of upsetting
the best laid plans. but Gen Greely be-
iieven the valiant aiTman will reach ills
9biective-~~the southernmost magnetic
point. IT is quite possible that comdr.
Byrd win be able TO land his plane al
the pole, but whether he could take OH
again ID another matter" he said.
do you think that Byrd actually
few over the North Pole?" Gen. 6ree'y
was asked.
oh. yes. beyond a doubt" was the
quick reply. .Tne flight OF Byrd 10 the
| North Pole insured beyond question
priority by an American in attainment
| 3f that goal"
| But there In one point In connection
/ with Byrd's previous flight which Gen
I Gfeely recounts more htimor0usly than
otherwise,
Veteran Recalls Query.
Il wrote Comdr. Byrd a year ago last
/ month TO ask him a simple question
| IT was. Where does the magnetic needle
/ point at the North pOle7'
"Comdr Byrd wrote me courteous
| note In reply saying that he did not
| at that time have access 70 MS records
| but would undertake In answer my
| question at H. more convenient time
But ! have never heard from nm
/ again"
| Gen. 6reely propounded the same
| question Ia, his old friend R0ald AmnndA
| sen without obtaining a definite an
! sWer,
| Nothing has been published as yet
! TO my knowledge either from Peafy
/ Byrd of Amundgen To show the true
magnetic conditions al the North Pole
| he added
How is the magnetic needle sup-
| posed 10 Act NJ the Pol4?" Gen. Gfeeiy
/ was asked
"Ah, II knew myself | would not
/ nave written tn find out" he laughed
Some say |, should point south, others
| think n would point every way
Maybe he viii obtain an answer "a
his question when Comdr. Byrd circles
| ths Antarctic Pole
| what advantages, II any. would de-"
| rive to the United States from an Ant
arctic expedition" Gen. 0reely wat
| asked
England has taken over the only
| part ut that continent Of any value, M
/ Guiding the Ross Sea and Falkland =
| he replied, she controls the whaling
| rights IN those areas Everything ~ the
| slightest material value already has
| been appropriated by England by right
| ri discovery and occupation"
I Unlike the Arctic continent the vast
/ region IN the south are practically barr
| rem Of resources. though sDme veins nj
/ coal have been discovered and snme
traces 0f yegetati0n Hen areetg has
l,lst completed 4 work on Polar RE-
| gi0ns ~ The Twentieth Century III
| 9hleh he shows N vhat TAtfni The
] ansid IT isrgf fan pr1fs nN tiaslI ~
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