The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-12-30
COOK COLOSSAL FAKER.
University of Copenhagen Decides
= Against Him and Examining Conn
d. mittee Is Angry-Report Contained
no Proof That He Reached Pole
Branded as an lmpostOr.

December II says in part:
The report OF the special commit
tee 9of SCIENTISTS which the University
sof Copenhagen appointed to scrutln-
lie Dr.. Frederick A. Cooks claims
that he had discovered the North
Pole was subInittedto the consistary
of the university this morning en-
dor-ed by that body, and given to
the public.
The report Skaters completely.
almost centemptuously, Cooks title
to such discovery and fills the Of
ficials and people OF Denmark is made
to assume in the eyes OF the scientific
world. The public was prepared for
verdict OF mot proven" but did
not expect its recent hero to be
branded AS an impostOr. Many still
cling TO the belief that Cook acted in
good faith, but harbored a delusion.
Explorers and scientists almost
unanimously havelost faith IL Cooks
honesty, while one of his warmest
supporters, Knud Rasmussen, the ex
plorer, helped to frame the report.
DINA y . w
Commander Gustav Holm, the
Arctic explorer and a member OF the
committee, said: Cooks claims that
he made the observation 80 degrees
80 minutes DC seconds near the Pole
proved Immediately that he was a
bad observer, but nothing Indicated
that he was a swindler. Now his pa
pers convict him of being a swindler.
We examined Cooks observations
first, and agreed unanimously that
they were worthless LOose's Obser-
vations We're not used in papers sub
mitted to university"
Professor Oluensen, secretary OF the
Danish Geographical Society, said:
at is the saddest event in nv life.
AS an explorer Their. seems to be no
doubt that Cook is absolutely unre-
liable"
The committee appointed by the
university tOexamine Cook S records
recently presented its report to the
conslstOry of the university, which
reviewed the deductions of the ex-
perts with the greatest care and dis
cussed the findings from every stand
point. That both the committee and
the consistory were disappointed was
soon known.
The cOnsistOry met today and
adopted a written report to the effect
that the alleged records submitted
for examination by DR.. Cook failed
to prove his claim that he had reached
the North Pole. After obtaining all
available information the committee
finds as follows:
First, the report Of the expedition
sent to the university by DR.. Cook is
the same as that printed in the New
York Herald land other papers) dur.
ing the months of September and
October last.
Second. the copy of Cooks note
books does not contain any original
astronomical observations whatsO
ever but only results.
Third, the documents presented
are inexcusably lacking in infnrma.
ton which would prove that the as
Economical observations therein re
ferred to were really made, and also
contain no details regarding the
practical work of the expedition anC
the sledye Journey which would enable
the committee to determine their re
liability.
THE committee therefore is of the
opinion that the material transmit
| ted for examination contains nc
proof that DR.. Cook reached tn,
Pole"
The report is signed by all thu
members OF the committee, which was
composed of the following: Prof
Ellis Stromgren, director of the as
Economical observatory; DR.. c. +
| Pechule. astronomer, attached to th'
observatory, Gustav Holm. explorer
Prof. A. b. Ionson, president of tn,
school of navigation; DIR. Relyder
director of the meteorological office
aud DR.. F. A. Engstrom, director o
the Lund observatory.
New York. Dec. 21.-Thus end
one of the most fascinating chapter
in all the romance of exploration
Honored by the King of Denmark
heralded by the University of Copen
hagen, garlanded with wreaths O
roses by young girls, accorded tn
freedom OF the city of New York, ant
acclaimed by thousands for the length
and breadth of the land as the brav
est man who ever dared the silen
terrors Of the Arctic, DR.. Fredericl
A. Cook stands tonight discredite,
in the house of his friends Not ;
word from him in defense or expla
nation. Nothing but disavowal
| from his pssrtisans in the contrOvers,
that has ragged about him ever sine
he first flashed word from Leerwick
in the Shetland Islands, to his wife
Successful, we'll address Copen
hagen
EXPLORER PEARY'S COMMENTS
Ear from showing any delight owe
the news from Cop nhagen. it wa
evident, however, that tie explore
received the news with much salts
faction.
Il have known the outcome OF thi
| since weeks before | reached TIL
country OH INV return from the 1Uie
1t was not a matter Of belief with IN
but OF absolute knowledge
! However. shall not discuss thi
/ MATTER In detail for publication. /
/ rs rot .nptt.sssry
Die warming wtlie4f sent To fh
| country bH4aHe ! handed il 81 i'll sal
tieiett. You remember nav t.tal,itsran
frean h,ttlp Harl,ef Here is ia
4 extlet woraiagltf il .......:
i "peok has lsta f,esa 10. s74v Pal
! April u, 1stis. esr any III ttn,r ea,,te.
4 HE has simply haAaea The pnhis
a eall1 hriels s'> .::>... ..
! With this t''ai,atl4s.t,aef Rea4-.y.: H. i
| Glued further, To dis.1iSss Dir ia. il i,
lfis aff.sirs and II w4as asitii rat tsat /,
regarded she wis,tlp etYsas reverss i
ended =. ...= !.
Enley,s Honey ard Tar IS Fir hast sfa
safest cdn1n rpuipdy ior elsiitrettg Al tll IL .frs
4 sympt oIiis ef: q cehj sise ax .liTet-sed IN
ewarst on ifaIIgsf of crnlp. brGhciti tis. so.
r. y r. s:S. ! "a. i rs