Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-09

| I'VE had three chronome,ers, one
watch. compasses and pedometers' All
were carefully controlled by each other
from time TO time. The watch, however,
got out OF order
1--WE had all the modern instruments
which other explorers have had includ-
Ing thermometers. barometers and SEX
tants OF the latest models. II ia possible
that our observations were better than
those Of earlier days. but I do not assert
that am perfectly familiar with MAX
ing astronomical observations. especial
~ In the Polar regions. But think that
all explorers will be satisfied with my
| data.
HAS FAITH IN EsKrMos.
why should sit down and invent
observations?" he exclaimed. II did not
DO this thing for anything but sport and
| because take real interest In the
problem. 1t would not DO me any good
! TO invent these things The only witness
! had were two Icskimos. certainly. but
In all polar expeditions the observations
have been made by one man.
II regard the Eskimo M much more
Intelligent In finding positions than the
wh'te man in the Arctic. These people
| as n rule are not absolutely ignorant.
They Know that the earth rs round They
have name for the pole, which they call
the big nail They appreciate the work
| Of explorers when participa ting therein.
II think Rasmussen has obtained Some
Information regarding my expeditions
from the Eskimos. who have learned II
from the two with me. Rasmussen was
there much later and his information will
be published shortly possibly tomorrow.
ICE A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE.
Concerning the Ice around the pole SO
far as could see. It was slightly more
active there than at one or two degrees
south. 1t drifted somewhat more to the
south and east. Its general character Is
not very different from that at any other
places.
I'VE stayed around the Pole for two
days making many observations. I do
not claim to have put my finger on the
exact spot; do not claim to have put my
foot on It. but personally think we have
been at the spot When the observations
have been figured out again 1t Ia possible
that there will be found slight errors and
differences. but | am certain that a gun
shot fired from where were would
have passed over the pole.
I'VE planted the Stars and Strines at
what we believed to he the Pole. but did
not leave the flag with staff. Instead,
placed small silk flag in cylinder
with my card and the record Of the jour
ney with the date The drift Ice may
carry the flag away, but to me that Is a
matter of Indifference. should have
been very glad to have found land there.
NOT AFRAID OF TESTS.
Il am quite prepared to place my OBJ
servations before any geographical so
ciety in the world. think there is no
doubt about my obtaining authoritative
recognition. have already received
kilograms from the geographical socie-
ties In Sweden. Norway Denmark. Bel
GUM and other countries which con-
graduate me. while Amundsen, Norden
SIX jold, Cagni and LeCointc have ac-
knowledged my work. offer my OBJ
servations to science the same other
men Rave done. and / accept the re-
sponsibilty.
The temperature at the pole was
minus IS. took about 400 photographs
one OF which shows the American flag
flying. These as yet have not been de-
veloped."
Questioned regarding his great speed.
Or. Cook said
THE daily distance covered on the
| northward trip was slightly less than
IS miles; on the southwark trip 1t was
10 miles This is not an abnormal dis
tence for Eskimos on the ice. They Oft
en- travel 30 or 60 miles with dogs. One
OF the greatest advantages of our trip
was that did not take a famine route.
We had game for long time. perhaps
rnr Will fnI xroi
throughout the winter in Greenland and
ran 4oo miles. giving them fresh meat
every day. Thus we brought them to the
Polar sea we'll and fat. had the best
men and the best dogs.
LIVED ON DRIED MEAT.
We lived entirely on dried meat and
beef tallow, reducing the food problem
to a science. The last trace Of animals
saw was bear track at SO degrees.
Afterward wc did not even see life IN
the water. except Algae.
THE drift of the ice during the entire
southern trip was slightly south Of east:
the direction Of the wind was generally
south OF west. We found several OF
Sverdrup's old camps. The reason we
utilized silk tents on some occasions was
that we were so exhausted that We
naOnt etrenEtN 10 DVllu snV~9neu. we
had carefully figured and planned every
thing. so that there was no surplus
weight to carry. We did not run short
except when We went astray.
During the expedition we ate all kinds
Of meat I like musk-ox best. but We
would eat bear or fox II the other was
not obtninable, Everything tastes good
when one is starving. We brought 10
dogs back with us. the others having
been eaten by their companions. We
used the lasso. traps ana bows and ar
rows to catch game. II TOOK two months
to learn how to trap moose. One OF the
men shot an elder duck with arrows"
DR.. Cook concluded his observations
with a reference to the kInd way ne had
been treated by the King. who was
greatly Interested in his adventures. He
stated that he was going to New York
as soon as possible. He will remain here
for few days and will then proceed
to Brussels. where he Is a member Of the
Polar club He assured his hearers that
he did not want to go to tho pole again
either north or south.