Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-14
POSSIBILITY OF LAND
ACKNOWLEDGED BY HIM
Will Give No Information Valuable
for Other Uses.
HE GOES EXPLORING NO MORE
Associated Press Tug Gets to Bat
tie Harbor and Correspondent
Interviews Arctic Traveller
on Roosevelt.

BATTLE HARBOR. Labrador, septem-
Der IA (via wireless telegraphy to Cape
Ray, N. F).-I am the only white
man who has ever reached the north
pole. 1 am prepared to prove IT,"
This statement was made to the repre-
sentative Of the Associated Press ~
Commander Robert E. Peary In reply to Q
question on the Peary-Cook controversy.
Press Tug Joins Roosevelt.
The Associated Press tug Douglas
Thomas. after stormy passage UP the
west coast of Newfoundland and through
the Straits Of Belle Isle from Sydney, ar
rived at this lonely whaling and mission
settlement at noon yesterday.
A squall Of rain was sweeping over the
harbor as the Thomas steamed in. With
glasses it was possible to make out the
mast and hull Of the arctic steamer
Roosevelt moored in the inner bay.
The Thomas broke out the north pole'
from the mizzenmast Of the Roosevelt.
and signaled:
THE Associated Press congratulates
you."
Of Commander Peary for this message.
Thereupon the Thomas gave. three loud
blasts on her whistle. In response there
came from the Roosevelt q chorus Of
barking and yelping from the Eskimo
dogs on board. that echoed back from
the surrounding hills.
The Thomas drew near to the Roose-
velt The steamer looked little the
worse for her second trip to the polar
regions.
Bartlett Says Come Aboard.
Along the rail were gathered the men,
bers of her famous crew, among them
the redoubtable Capt. Robert Bartlett,
who was at once recognised. Capt.
Bartlett invited the Thomas to lay along
side and the correspondent to come on
board without delay.
The correspondent clambered over the
weatherbeaten bulwarks. and proceeded
direct to the cabin to meet the man who
has stood upon the apex Of the world.
The commanders greeting was cordial.
This is a new record in newspaper en-
terprise," he said. Il appreciate the
compliment"
The correspondent at once began ques-
tioning the explorers regarding the merits
of DIR. Frederick A. Cooks claim to have
reached the pole. The commander de-
clareG positively he would not further
discuss this subject until the main point,
whether or not DR.. Cook had actually
reached the north pole, had been decided
by others.
Interview Given Out by Peary.
He then dictated the following state
ment to the Associated Press for publi-
cation:
81 am the only white man who has ever
reached the north pole. I am prepared
to prove it at the proper time.
II have already stated publicly that
Cook has not been to the pole. This
reaffirm.
Il will stand by 1t, but I decline to
discuss the details of the matter. These
will come out later.
'I have said that DR.. Cooks statement
that he had reached the pole should not
be taken seriously, and thatt have him
nailed by concrete proofs to support my
statement. In six months you probably
will get the whole story"
ut would not be policy for me to
enter upon full debate with the sub
ject as it now stands. To do SO
would be giving out much information
of which other uses could be made.
Waits for Worlds Verdict.
II intend to wait until DR.. Cook has
issued his full authorized statements.
Up to the present time there have been
only newspaper accounts Of DR.. Cooks
alleged polar trip. and these may or
may not be accurate.
when DR.. Cook has time to issue q
complete authorized version Of his jour
ney will be the proper opportunity for
me to make public the information
which 1 have. After that the jury-in
other words. the people and the scten-
tific bodies of the world-will pass
Judgment on the matter. and there will
then be nothing left Of DR.. Cooks case
but his own assertions that he has
reached the north pole.
I'm the meanwhile 1T is my determi-
nation not to deal with debates for the
reasons already stated.
New Land Is Possible.
Commander Peary was then asked II
new land could have been discovered In
latitude "a, longitude SO. In reply he
shrugged his shoulders and said 1t was
quite possible that an unknewn continent
existed farther west
He referred to the land discovered by
himself on previous trips that had not
yet been explored.
Asked what would be the international
effect of planting the Stars and Stripes
at the north pole, Commander Peary said
he had notified the Secretary Of State
that he had taken possession Of the pole
in the name Of the United States, and
that 1t remained for the Secretary to de.