Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-05
READY TO SUBMIT HIS
PdO]f TO SCIENTISTS
Or. Cooke Thinks There is No
Doubt About Obtaining Author
ltallVs Recognition.
GIVES DETAILED STORY OF JOURNEY
Battalion Of Newspaper Correspon-
dents Besiege Discoverer OF North
Pole and Every Question is Answer
ed-Says He Could Have No Object
in lnventing story.

; COPENHAGEN, Sept. 4.-The mos
detailedA- accaAI' "a his polar journe!
as yet given by DIR. CCoh' "v3 gain
ed from him by a large body OF
newspaper correspondents whom he
met this evening. DIR. Cook, at the
request of the correspondents, con-
sented to answer all questions. First
he was asked whether or not the
first account Of his discovery of the
pole could be accepted as entirely his
own work. He replied in the affirma-
tive. except for the obvious errors in
transmission He then explained the
doubt about the $4,000 square miles
discovered, saying that he meant they
were able TO see fifteen miles on each
side during their journey to the pole
and that therefore hitherto unknown
, territory of 10000 square miles was
now discovered.
Dir. Cook proceeded to show that he
was fully competent to take all OBJ
seryations, saying that on previous ex-
| ploring expeditions he did very little
observation work. which usually was
divided among the members OF the
party. @
Al. Necessary Instrument.
"This time he continued, I'VE had
started out to reach the pole and
everything else was of secondary con-
sideration. 1t was not possible to car
ry certain apparatus and it was lmpos-
sible to study the deep sea or take
soundings. We carried all necessary
simple instruments for astronomical
observation and we were very lucky to
/ obtain observations virtually every
| day. The positions noted must have
been nearly correct.
I'VE had three chronometers, one
watch, cOmpasses and pedometers. All
were carefully controlled by each
other from time to time. The watch,
however, got out of order.
We had all the modern instru-
ments which other explorers have
had. including thermometers, baro-
meters and sextants of the latest
models. 1t is possible that our obser-
vations were better than those or
earlier days. but / do pot assert that
| am perfectly familiar with making
astronomical observations. especially
the polar regions. think that all ex-
/ plorers will be satisfied with my data.
Why Should He Invent?
why should | sit down and invent
observations" he exclaimed. Il did
not do thls thing for anything save
sport. and because take real in
terest I'm the problem. II would not
do me any good to invent these things
The only witness I had were two Es-
auimos. certainly. but in AL polar ex-
peditions observations have been
made by one man. | regard the Es-
I quimo as much more intelligent IN
finding positions than the white man
in the Arctic. These people, as
rule, are not absolutely ignorant They
know that the earth is round.
Call pole "sig Nail"
Il They have a name for the pole
which thev call the Big Nail They
appreciate the work of explorers when
participating therein.
Il think Rasmussen has obtained
some information regarding my expe.
ditions from the Esquimos. who have
learned 1t from the two with me. Ra,.
mussca was there much later and his
Information will be published shortly
possibly tomorrow.
. Concerning the ice around the pole
! so far as ] could see Il was slightly
more active there than at one OF tvs
degrees south. u drifted somewhat
mere 20 the south and east It's gen
eral character is not very different
from hat at other places We stay
cd around the poic for two days max
inx observations ] do not claim e
have put nv finger on the exact spot
Il DO not claim 20 have put my FOOT
On Il. but personally. J think We have
been At the spot.
i cunsho. Would Psss Over Pole.
, Whcr observation have been figured
, cot again IL Is possible that there Vi.
, % found slight errors and differences
hut I am certain that gunShot fired
rom where we we're would have pass
Ct over the pole.
we planted the Stars and Stripes
q, what Nc believed 20 be the pole
brit cid not leave The Tag ~ith ;
D san. Instead placed = small sili
, sag In a cylinder with ny card an'
? re record o! The journey VITA tn
p, dsfc
The drift ice may carry the Ca