The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-13
PEARY HAS PLENTY
OF EVIDENCE
READY
SECRETARY OF ARCTIC CLUB
SAYS COMMANDER WILL
DlsPRovE COOKS CLAIM.

Sydney, n. S, Sept. 1e.-Plenty of
evidence designed to back up his
statement that DIR. Cook did not reach
the north pole is in the hands of
/ Commander Peary, according to as
sertions made here tonight. This
view Is taken by IA large number of
explorers, scientists and others who
are here to greet the explorer.
Commander Peary will have with
him incnntestible proof to support ev-
cry statement he has made In con-
nection with DIR. Cooks trip to the
Arctic" Herbert l.. Bridgman. secre-
tary of the Peary Arctic club. said.
Every one who knows Peary realizes
he never makes statements unless he
can prove them absolutely. When the
proper time arrives, and that will he
when DIR. Cook has made his state
ment over his signature, the proof will
be forthcoming. l quite agree with
President Hubbard of the Peary Arc
Ftic club that DIR. Cook might have
learned weeks ago In Greenland of
Commander Peary's discovery and
that i'm the interim he wove the story
of his discovery of the north pole
News. you know. travels fast among
the E.skimos and it is quite likely DR.
Cook heard of what Peary had done"
Mr.. Bridgman said he felt much
flattered that Commander Peary had
stated that he was the only logical
candidate for the polar commission
THE Belgian government in 1906"
said Bridgman. invited the several
nations To attend an international
polar commission, The United States
designated me to act as its represent
atire at the congress and | took my
credentials from the yarionH geograph-
ical societies, Arctic and explorers
clubs. Two years later a definite call
for meeting of the commission was
issued and the conference was held
in Brussels in May of that year.
THE commission was designed to
develop sort of coordinate working
system of Arctic exploration which
would have presented just the sort
of controversy that now has arisen.
The commission also planned to define
the work of the geographical and
other scientific branches of such Are
tic exploration in order that the re-
suits If each expedition might he de
dermined and labor economiZed. I
reported tn the state department at
/ Washington and later Commander
Peary was designated as the COM
missioner for this country.
Commander Peary felt I should be
made commissioner. but nothing fur
ther was done in the matter
Sydney Is putting on a holiday ap-
pearanee for the coming of Peary.
/ United States flags are displayed ev-
erywhere and the headquarters of the
welcoming party is besseged with
visitors inauiring for the latest news,
! The French frlgate Isly is here and
/ probably will remain i'm the harbor
/ tn aid in the welcome of Peary. No
! British warship is expected.
] Peary viii likely remain here two
days and then go with his family to
! his home in casca bay. Maine, where
! he viii rest for day or two, pro-
/ ceeding thence to Warrington tn
snakn his official REPORT to the gov
ernment.
/ Commander p.ary In moving south
! ward in the same precise manner that
characterized his methodieai and we'll
calculated dash for the pole. The
Roosevelt is being oyerhauied and
painted at Assizes harhar. near Bat
tie Harbor. and her commander has
in her long stay In the ice cradle Of
Cape Sheridan shall ba removed be-
fore she sails for this port