Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-09-10
PERRY CLAIMS
He FOUND THE
POLE FIRST
WIRES NEWFOUNDLAND THAT
RIGHT OF PRIORITY BELONGS
TO HIS CLUB.
HIS STORY Is BELIEVED.
Worlds Scientists Are Not as Skeptical
as They Were When DR.. Cook
Cabled His News.
PEARY NOW ON HIS WAY HOME

ST. JOHNS, n. f, Sept. THE
Peary arctic steamer Roosevelt left In
dian Harbor, Labrador, today for the
south. She will touch at Battle Harbor,
which port she probably Will not reach
before tomorrow.
NEW YORK, Sept THE announce
ment of Commander Peary that he has
discovered the north pole riyets the at
tentiOn of the entire civilized world.
Whatever question Of priority may
exist between the claims OF Commander
Peary and DR.. Cook, there can be no
doubt that TO the United States belongs
the unquestionable credit and lasting re-
nOwn Of discovering the north pole.
The remarkable coincidence of two
American announcements of such CO.
lossal achievement. coming within five
days, after centuries of frultless endeay-
or constitutes one of the most remark
able condolences in history.
The question of priority in reaching the
pole now absor0s attention III this coun-
try and Europe. That Peary will claim
to be the first discoverer appears to be
definitely assured from the following:
First-Formal announcement has been
telegraphed from Indian Harbor, Lab
rador, to all principal American and
geographical societies of all nations, in
Guiding Japan and Brazil, specifically
announcing that the North pole was
discovered April u by the Peary Arctic
club expedition under command of Com
mander Peary."
Second-A London dispatch received
from st. Johns, New FOundand, states
that Commander Peary claims that he
was the first man TO reach the north
pole.
Aside from the question of priority
Commander Peary's announcement of
reaching the pole appears to be accepted
throughout the United States and world
at large, by scientists as well as the gen
eral public, and there is an absence of
the doubt and Skepticism which greeted
the Cook announcement. There is, how
ever, apparent reserv, of judgment on
the question of priority between the two
explorers.
Cook Shouts "Hurrah!"
DR.. Cook in an interview at Copen-
hagen today says he is the first TO
shout 'hurrah for Peary,' if he has teIe-
graphed an announcement that he has
reached the pole then it is true and l
congratulate him"
DR.. Cook also states that he does not
want any controversy. No fulSher word
direct from Peary has been received to-
day, nor can there be any further word
from him until he reaches Chateau bay.
Labrador. tonight or tomorrow.
The world continues to be stirred with
excitement and admiration for the
achievement by which America has
solved the problem of centuries
Chateau bay is the nearest point TO
Indian harbor, where Commander Peary
can reach telegraph line by which
to tell to the world the story of his
dash to the pole.
Herbert J.. Bridgman said today that
he expected Commander Peary would
OFF Il.
where Mrs. Peary and his two children
are at present, and then come directly TO
New York, reaching here within the next
TWO weeks, and possibly before. While
no definite plans have been completed
here for his welcome. they are under
way, MIR. Bridgman said, and would be
comprehensive and fitting to the explor-
ers great achievement.
Peary probably will meet the members
of the Peary Arctic club first upon his
arrival here, it was said, and a dinner
to be held at the University club, is be-
ing arranged for that purpose. Ameri-
can Geographical society and the Mu-
scum of Natural History will take the
initiative and plan for the public
demonstration, Mr.. Bridgman said.
Messages of cOngratulatiOn on the sue
cess of Commander Peary are coming
to MIR. Bridgman. One from President
Darwin of the Royal Geogra phicaI So
ciety of Great Britain read: "Delighted
to hear of Peary's safe return. Warm
est congratulations. Have wired Peary,
st. Johns"
Henry F. Osborn, president of the Mu-
scum of Natural History, wired Mr..
Brdgman as follows:
Il am delighted beyond measure to
hear of success of Peary. A great
triumph for the United States. Accept
my warmest personal congratulations to
yourself as devoted secretary of Peary
oil :;