Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-29

knew OF my dash to the poIe-Eskimos
whom I had met or who heard OF my tr p
from others OF their own tribes Both
the governor and Rasmussen were con-
yinced by what they heard from the Es-
kmos. and the governor. largely upon
their word, sent TO the authorities OF Co
penhagen telling them that he believed
had discovered the north pole. feel safe
in relying upon what the Es,siu1cs would
say. cannot conceive that any Of them
would tell Mr.. Peary that had not ben
to the pole when they had heard differ
entity from me
DR.. Cook was reminded that Command
er Peary had stated that the Eskmos
were friendly to Peary and that he felt
they were telling him the truth. DIR.
Cook laughed.
Perhaps they are friendly 10 me, too,
he remarked
Suppose Mr. Peary brings proof that
the Eskin,os he talked with have told
him that you did not go 10 the pole. what
would you think of that"
II don't think he can get them to say
it," replied DIR. Cock.
Did Not Bother About Cairn.
The explorer was questioned concerning
Commander Peary's statement that the
most tangible proof DIR. Cook could have
produced that he went toward the pole
from Cape Thomas hubbard was the rec
ord which Peary left in a cairn at the
cape.
Now as TO that. 4 have only to say
that did not look for Mr.. Peary's
proofs said DR.. Cook II had no reason
to. do SO. was bound for the north pole
and had no purpose TO stop and look for
proofs OF the furilest point north made nv
any other explorer anything In the
shape of records that had been left any
where in the arctic regions. rahdidlS
admit that made no effort to see whether
\ IDno, l, IL of N
cairn anywhere along the trail.
rs ii not the custom of explorers TO
look for such records was asked.
II don't know that il is. said DIR. Cook
not so disposed. Some explorers may take
the time to do it. bat did not want TO
lose any time. I have said that before
Then YOU would not have stopped to ex-
anime Peary's records il you had known
they were In the cairn at Cape Thomas
Hubba I'd?
probably not" replied the explorer. Il
fail to see their value.
Would they not have been Of value in
proving that you were on your way to the
pole?''
Il had all the proof I NEEDED Of that:
Mfr. Peary's records would rot have helped
me that ! can see
what rroofe do you mean?
''Why, the data made of my observa-
tions. My inst. uments and the word OF
III
of food behind me. IL any one takes the
trouble he will be able to find them
DR.. Cook said he attached no particular
Importance to Mr.. Whitneys statement
that, so far as he knew, he had received
no records.
Mr.. Whitney would not be in g. posi-
ton to know whether or not he had any
of my records said DR.. Cook. ''He only
knows that he got certain boxes, and
does not know what was in them. How
a records NOT of the slightest
Importance, since l have copies Of all of
them
But how would it be possible for Mr..
Whitney to have seen the instrument
boxes and not the records? Several
nights ago, when you were asked to ex-
plain what you had left with Whitney,
you said the instruments were In indi-
vidual cases, and that these had been
placed together In q larger case IN which
you had also put the records. Whitney.
you are informed. put the small instru-
ment cases n.his private trunk and then,
after Peary's protest. put them back in
the box. How could he make this trans
fer without seeing the records?"
We'll, to tell the truth, forget ex-
actly how l packed the records. l think
put them In the sextant box, which
went In the larger case
But he knows you left him a sextant.
How could he know this unless he
opened the sextant box? If he opened
the sextant box how could he avoid see
ing the records?''
We'll. he would know sextant box
from looking at the outside of It, He
wouldn't have to open the box. and thus
would not necessarily see the records.
They are probably now in the sextant
box, lying In the cache. Or Il Is possible
they may be In one Of the larger cases.
I'm not sure Anyway, I don't care any,
thing about Them
Peary and Sverdrup Records.
And let me say" DR.. Cook went on.
that Commander Peary himself over
looked some records that had been left
by Sverdrup up north, near Cape Hub
bard. How does he account for thato
I'd like to hear what he says of 1t.
found plenty Of evidence Of other ex-
plorers. found several different camps
on Jones sound. for instance-old camps
and remnants Of cottages"
us II lair to assume that YOU did not
undertake to look up Peary's records at
Cape Thomas Hubbard and leave your
own because you wanted to avoid leaving
any evidence for Peary that you were on
your way toward the pole?' was asked.
mot at ALL answered DIR. Cook. II
ha1 no idea of trying to throw Mr.. Peary
off my track. I had left him in New
York making preparat ons for a trip that.
was informed. could not be attempted
for at least another year. l had no rea-
L
sent down word to Mr.. Bridgman, secre-
tary of the Peary Arctic Club, frs m Etah
that l was about to start for the pole.
I don't see that that shows any evidence
that I was trying to dodge Mr.. Peary."
DR.. Cooks attention was directed to
Commander Peary's statement that Cook
must have made extraordinary oe es
to have covered % degrees of latitude In
the sessnri In VIII Oh he made his TRIP.
Il don't see anything extraordinary In
it," sad u. COOK. admit il VS. faS
going. but have said that the conditions
were remarkable, such cond tons as l
had been waiting for and had not hoped
to find"
His Grit May Have Helped.
MIR. Peary says he cannot understand
how YOU could have accomplished 1t with
the limited equipment you had was sug-
gested.
We'll" replied DR.. Cook with smile.
Il am sorry Mr.. Peary cannot under
stand it, but did it just the same. / had
two fine sledges when I made the final
dash and had ample provisions. The Es-
kimos were fitted for it, and. altogether,
had everything in my favor. What if l
did make faster time than explorers who
had gone before me? l was determined
to get to the pole, and 1t may have been