The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-03
Italian Filler Declares He
Has No Excuses to Make
for Tragedies.
WORTH ALL ITS GRIEF
Wealth of Benefit Given
Science, Declaration
of Leader.
BY THOMAS P. MORGAN
United Press stan CorrespondenL

Copyright. 1923. United Press)
ROME, Aug. 3.-General Umberto
Mobile, commander of the polar
dirigible Italia, gave a complete
and spirited defense of his expedi-
ton and the manner in which ii
was conducted, in an interview
with the United Press today.
"Our expedition was worth all
the suffering and sacrifices for the
wealth Of geographical and scientific
research which it will reveal to the
world" Mobile said, raising his head
proudly, as if in defiant challenge
against attempts to discredit the
Italia's flight.
mo polar aerial expedition in
history has accomplished scien-
tif1cally as much as ours"
Buoyed Up for Ordeal
General Mobile seemed to be
buoyed up for the occasion, ready
to defend everything he had done.
AS he talked, at times he rose from
his chair with burning fervor.
1T has not been said that we few
altogether 243 hours Mobile said,
"of which 1874 were over polar
regions.
1T has not been said" he con-
tinued, THAT we encountered me-
neurological difficulties that tested
the fibre of every man with us.
1--WE overcome a thousand diff
culties-yet, if we could have con-
tinued three hours more, our entire
program of flight would have been
completed.
"Our preparation was the most
complete of any expedition that
ever went to the Arctic regions. Not
thing was lacking that possibly
could have been foreseen.
Beyond Chance of Forecast
"The mishap was something
which absolutely could not have
been forecast. 1t was as if I should
60 walking in the street and a tile
from a roof top should fall and hit
me on the head, despite the fact
that I might walk with the greatest
prudence.
1--WE all went to the North Pole
knowing the risks and hardships
involved. 1t was no pleasure trip.
We went there to explore and 10
search for scientific material. We
succeeded.
I'VE are confident it was worth
the price. We are proud it was ac-
complished. This expedition needs
no excuses. We are not called upon
to defend it. 1t accomplished its
purpose fully.
I'VE took Italian, Swedish, and
Czecko, Slovakian scientists along
with us, all of whom had won re-
nown in their particular fields. This
Difference to scientists of other ma
tionalities never had been recog-
nized In other expeditions.
1--WE aimed at geographical re-
search. We fulfilled that aim"
Home Is Like Shrine
Mobiles condition after his ordeal
has forced him to remain quietly
within the circle Of his family,
where he has been visited by scores
of friends. There had been a vir-
tual pilgrimage to his house. One
orderly is kept busy opening tele-
grams and letters lying on the
generals desk.
Titina, the little terrier that ac-
companied Mobile to the pole, lived
with him and his companions OH
the ice foe off Foyn Island and few
with him back to rescue headquar-
tiers at Spitzbergen, was lying COM
fortably, curled up and doing, at
her masters feet, while the United
Press correspondent was talking 10
the general
While the correspondent was
there, the celebrated surgeon, Prof
Raffaele Bastianelli, arrived to
dress Mobiles injuries.