Evening journal., 1909-12-22
DANES CANNOT
FIND DR.. COOK
Public Cannot Understand How
University Authorities
We're Duped
A FEW STILL BELIEVE THAT
HE ACTED In GOOD FAITH

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
COPENHAGEN. Dec. 22-Denmark to-
day is divided into three camps regarding
the exploded North Pole discovery claim
OF Dr. Frederick A. Cook A handful OF
people. including the inspector Of North
Greenland who stin believe he reached
the pole: a large number who think Cook
believed he reached the pole, and an over
whelmIng majority who declare that tho
Brooklyn man is the greatest imposter
n modern times.
The generally accepted view is that
Cook wandered around in the Arctic re-
gion in search Of the pole. but without
sufficient scientific knowledge TO know
where he went. When he emerged from
the polar wilds he determined, according
10 the Danish opinion TO make a bold
claim to the discovery OF the pole. stalking
everything on the forlorn possibility that
the meagre and unscienthc observations
that he made might substantiate his
claim
Disoredited as Explorer.
The mere taking OF such a gamble thor
oughly discredits Cook as q scientist and
Arctic explorer. the Danes assert. but
when he attempted to bolster up his claim
by observations that obviously could
never have been made and with other al
legged evidence that the veriest novice
would have known TO be insufficient he
quilted the role Of a gambler and entered
the ranks Of the monumental swiudlers IN
the opinion Of the Danish people.
A determined effort was made to-day by
Cooks claim TO find the explorer, but no
trace Of him could be found. The commit.
tee was under the impression that It knew
where Cook was.' but Il is now convinced
| that Cooks statements as TO his where.
abouts were false and made with the hope
that they would lead the committee e
believe that he was honest In his ex
pressed desire 10 appear before the com
mittee n Il SO desired. Ever Walter Ions
dale. Cooks private secretary said to
day that he did not know where Cool
was
Danish Scientists puped.
The nasco has forever discredited th
scientific standing OF all those who at nrs
accepted Cooks story. The University q
Copenhaeen is coming IN for general cor
dennntion for It's haste In chanpionin
the explorer and thereby aiding him {
pose before the world for three month
as the greatest discoverer OF the day.
IN view Of the fact that Cook present
ed absolutely no satisfactory evidence Z
the committee. the public cannot under
stand how the university authorities an
Danish scientists generally were dupa
by his first story.
Director Steen. OF tho Meteorological oh
servatory expressed regret to-day that al
or Cooks data and his instruments coul
not have been examined by the commit
tee Cooks records were found insufn
cient." the director said. but ! am not ye
ready 10 conclude that no is a fakir"
Another one Of Cooks former frieud
who has not altogether deserted him
Captain Raold Amundscn. He think
Cook in his desire not TO appear dilatory
greatly handicapped himself before IN
committee by submitting incomplete data
He says Cook should have waited unit
the material left at Etah could have bee
presented 10 the committee. "f hay
known Cook for ten years" Amundse
said. "and 7 still believe no acted In goo
faith 7 don't believe he reached the poll
but believe he thought he did" Tho al
tempted defense OF Cook meets with n
response from the press.