The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-08

"""0i 'a'iohS, Saying lHdt on previous
expeditions he did very little observa-
ton work, which usually was divided
among the members of the party.
This time he continued, 1--WE had
started out to reach the pole and ev-
,rything else was of secondary con-
sideration. 1t was not possible to carry
certain apparatus and it was impos-
sible also to study the deep sea or to
take soundings. We carried all neces-
sary simple instruments for astrono-
mical observations and we were very
lucky to obtain observations virtually
every day. The positions noted must
have been nearly correct.
I'VE had three chronometers, one
watch, compasses and pedometers. All
were carefully controlled by each 9TH
er from time to time. The watch.
however, got out Of order.
1--WE had all the modern instru-
ments which other explorers have
had. including thermometer. barom-
eterB and sextants Of the latest mod
els. 1t Is possible that our observa-
tions were better than those of ear
lier days. but do not assert that I
am perfectly familiar with making
astronomical observations. especially
in the polar regions. 1 think that all
explorers xSl-be .zatisfied with my
data.
why should sit down and invent
observations" he exclaimed. IT did
not do this thing for anything save
sport, and because 1 take a real in
terest in the problem. It would not
do ME any good to invent these
things. The only witnesses had
were TWO Eskimos, certainly, but in
all polar expeditions observations
have been made by one man. 1 re-
gard the Eskimos as much more in
telligent in finding positions than the
white man in the Arctic. These peo-
pie, as rule, are not absolutely ig-
norant. They know that the earth is
round. They have a name for the
pole, which they call the Big Nail
They appreciate the work of explor-
ers when participating therein
II think Rasmussen has obtained
some information regarding my ex-
petitions from the Eskimos who have
learned it from the two with me.
Rasmussen was there much later and
his information will be published
shortly, possibly tomorrow.
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 some
what more to the south and east. It's
general character is not very differ
ent from that at other places. We
stayed around the pole for two days,
making many observations. 1 do not
claim to have put my finger on the
exact spot; 1 do not claim to have put
my foot on it, but personally 1 think
We have been at the spot. When the
observations have been figured out
again it is possible that there will be
found slight errors and differences.
but I am certain that a gunshot fired
from where we were would have pass
cd over the pole.
I'VE planted the Stars and Stripes
at what We believed tc be the pole,
but did not leave the flag with a staff.
Instead I placed a small silk flag in a
cylinder with my card and the re-
cord of the journey with the date.
"rhe drift ice may carry the flag
away. but to me that is a matter of
indifference. 1 should have been very
glad to have found land there
II am quite prepared to place my
observations before any geographical
society in the world. 1 think there is
no doubt about my obtaining authori-
tative recognition. l have already re-
ceived kilograms from the geographic
al societies Of Sweden, Norway. Den
mark, Belgium and other countries.
while Amundsen. Nordenskjold, Cagni
and Lecointe have acknowledged my
work. 1 offer my observations to
science the same as other men have
done and 1 accept the responsibility.
"As to the temperature at the pole
it was minus SO. 1 took about 400
photographs, one Of which shows the
American flag flying. These as yet
have not been developed"
Questioned regarding his great
speed. DR.. Cook said:
THE daily distance covered on the
northward trip was slightly less than
Is miles; on the southwark trip it was
1 VT;