Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-21

warning TO the world, based upon com
plete and accurate Information in re-
gard to the Cook claims. In doing so,
/ accepted the responsibility devolving
upon mo and fulfilled my duty to my
self and to the world !"
With these words. Commander
Robert f Peary today pointedly ex-
pressed his sentiments regarding the
failure of the University OF Copen-
hagen to find any proof OF the discov-
cry Of the north pole by DR.. Cook.
In his apartments on Columbia road
Commander Peary received an Asso-
ciated Press representative who ap-
prised him of the decision by the Den
mark scientists against DR.. Cook Not
so much as suspicion of smile IL
Illuminated his stern face. but his eyes
lighted up with the welcome knowledge
OF a vindicatlon which had come to
him after difficult trials.
II have known the outcome of this
since weeks before l reached this coun-
try on my return from the pole" he
said. 1T was not a matter of belief
with me, but OF absolute knowledge.
However. ! shall not discuss this
matter IN detail for publication. 1t is
not necessary,
The warning which I sent to this
country before 1 landed is still sufIi-
cient You remember my cablcernm
from Battle Harbor Here is the exact
wording of it: Cook has not been 10
the pole April 21. 1908. or at any other
date
f" He has simply handed the public
gold brick"
With this Commander peary declined
further TO discuss Dr. Cook or his nf-
fairs and it was evident that he re-
garded the controversy as ended He
declined to say whether he considered IL
possible for DR. Cook to proceed further
In presenting additional evidence or in
submitting his data to other courts OF
authority.
my friends may consider this de-
cision a complete vindication of their
attitude on this whole subject but as
for me. I don't care to comment" said
In his letter to Prof Torp. Cook states
that not only were his Instruments left
at Etah as indicated in his cable to thc
university OF Oct. 20. but most of his
astronomical observations also were
left at that northern point, and he adds
that without these II seems unwise and
impossible to pass final judgmen,
upon his expedition. After obtaining
all available information the COMMITTEES
finds as follows:
COMMITTEES FINDINGS.
"First-The report of the expedition
sent TO the university by DR. Cook is
York Herald during the months of Sep
tember and October last
"Second-The copy OF Cooks note
books does not contain any original
astronomical observations whatsoever
but only results.
"Third-The documents presented are
inexcusabIy lacking I'm information
which would prove that the astronom-
ical observations therein referred 10
were reilly made. and contain no de-
tails as to the actual work OF the ex-
pedition and the slcdgc journey which
would enable the committee to deter
mine their reliability.
THE committee therefore is of the
opinion that the material transmitted
for examination contains no proof that
DIR Cook reached the pole"
The report Is signed by all six MEM
bers of the committee, who were as
sisted In their inquiry by Knud
Rasmussen. the explorer.
COUNCILS STATEMENT.
The university council issued this
statement:
.'rhe documents handed the univer-
sity for examination do not contain
observations and information which
can be regarded as proof that DIR.
Cook reached the north pole on his
recent expedition"
The committee chosen TO represent
the University of Copenhagen In the
examination OF DR. Cooks claim was
composed as follows: Prof. Elis. Strom-
rren. director OF the astronomical OBJ
seryatory: DR.. C. F. Pcchula. astrono-
mcr. attached to the observatory,
Gustave Helm. explorer; Prof A.
B. Yonson, president of the school
OF navigation; DR.. Royder. director OF
meteorological offices, and DIR. T. A.
EnRstrom. director of the Lund OBJ
seryatory-