The news from the Nobile party who are still inaccessible
upon their drifting ice becomes worse. Lieutenant Lundborg, who spent thirteen days with the party after his aeroplane had capsized and before he himself was rescued, says that the conditions on the ice were terrible. All the Italians were ill with fever and some showed signs of mental aberration. Surely this drawn-out agony is among the most poignant in the records of exploration. And it is the harder to bear with because modern science has brought the spectacle almost day by day before our eyes. Wireless messages make the party seem near at hand, but the rough and melting ice, upon which an aeroplane can scarcely land, and persistent mist prevent succour. Nature seems to deride the triumphs of nian. We can only hope against hope that the rescuers of the gallant party may not be too late. The papers of Thursday reported that an airman had sighted the walking party of whom no trace had hitherto been found. We trust that there is no mistake, but the possibility of confusion between this party and General Nobile's group has been suggested. * . *
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