The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-24
DR.. COOKS STORY
Arctic Explorer Tells a Brilliant
and Large Audience
How He Happened to Discover
the North Pole.
NEEDED NO LICENSE.
With Bradley's Aid He Just
Got Ready and Went.
He Declares There Is Glory
Enough to &c Round.

New York. Sept. 24.-Cheered by
Thousand men and women as he enter
ed the banquet hall on the arm of
Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.
U. S. N, retired. DR.. Frederick A. Cook
told his story last night before the most
brilliant audierce that has been ad-
dressed since he left the court of Dem
mark.
The banquet was given by the Arctic
club of America. of which DR.. Cook
lis member in recognition of his last
polar venture, which eliminated in his
announcement that he had reached the
North Pole. While there was no off,
cial representation from either state or
nation, the assemblage was cosmopoH-
tan and enthusiastic.
Crowded in the great ball room of
the Waidorf-Astoria they toasted the
Brooklyn explorer and listened atten-
lively to his recital in the form of an
after dinner address. Among those at
the tables were explorers, some of whom
knew the dangers and suffering of the
Arctic zone almost as well as Dr. Cook
himself Men of science We're there
also, but the explorer addressed him
self principally to the great majority
OF his hearers whose interests in polar
conquest lately have been aroused by
the clamor of the world over the two
was not technical. He expressed thanks
for the honor accorded him, reviewed
the history OF mans endeavor to at
tain the pole, paid tribute TO the loyal
ty of John r. Bradley. the man whose
money enabled him to undertake the
expedition. answered briefly a few
charges that have been made against
him and said that he unfurled the flag
at the pole on April 81. 1908. Comman-
der Peary's name he did not mention
except at the end of his speech when
he said: .
'',rhere is glory enough for all" Then
1t was that Peary's name mingled with
those of other explorers to whom he
re ferred with reverence.
Dr. Cook appealed to his hearers tn
accept his narrative of his journey tn
the pole as he has seen fit to give it
sc far.
1T is complete as the preliminary re-
rort of any prey ious explorer he said
s'4eretofore such evidence has been
taken with faith" ''.......--.
DIR. Cook entered the hail at o'clock.
He did not pause to greet old friends
or to meet new cnes. but walked direct
ly TO his seat while the guests cheered-
heir plaudits the explorer answered
merely with a smile.
He seated himself beneath the blue
flag of the Arctic club with Rear Ad-
rn'ral Schley on his right and Caral
Moltke the Danish minister on the
left Mrs. Cook did not attend the
banquet proper, but occupied a balcony
EOX during the part OIL the even
ing. The banquet was to have been
preceded by a reception, but after
long wait the diners crowded into the
hall without a chance of previously
shaking the hand OF the explorer.
Had No Evening Clothes.
The reason for DR.. Cooks delay and the
abandonment of the reception was both
amusing and at the same time charac-
teristic of DR.. Cooks simplicity. 1t be-
came known that he landed in this
L. .Tr1%11
in his wardrobe and the suit ordered
since his arrival here was late in being
delivered to his rooms; for this reason
the reception followed, instead Of pre-
ceding the dinner. The hall was deco
rated with patriotic colors, while over
the explorers head hung a picture OF
the globe with it's polar zone sharply
defined.
Among the prominent guests present
were ]. Glenn, Danish consul general in
New York; Magnus Clarkelm.r tina
Swedish consul. and Christopher Ravns
the Norwegian consul. John r. Brad
ley was present. but did not speak. In
introducing DR.. Cook. Rear Admiral
Schley said:
Like all who have achieved similar
success in other fields of activity. DR..
Cook is challenged by envy which often
proceeds from disappointment. But to
all fair and just minded people there is
only regret that there should have been
raised any issue over an achievement
Our guests splendid behavior under
those trying circumstances has attract
ed the commendation of his country
men and has added innumerable hosts
to his friendships. / believe, as presi-
dent of the Arctic Club of America,
upon their statements that both Mr.
Peary and DR.. Cook reached the pole
hail their ohivalry and persistent
courage. 1 believe further that :hese
two gentlemen reached the pole because
men who are willing to make those sac
rifices in a region of such terrifying
danger and such constant peril are
made OF material that does not bleach
out in the wash All honor to them"
When DIR. Cook came to speak the
entire assembly leaped to its feet with
him and the cheering continued for a
full minute. The explorer read his ad-
dress. DR.. Cook said:
DIR. Cooks Address.
''This is one of the highest honors
L ever hope to receive. You repre-
sent most of the frigid explorers of
Europe and nearly all of the arctic
explorers of America. Your welcome
is the explorers guarantee to the
world-coming as it does from fell
and have gone through the same
experience-it is an appreciation and
victory, the highest which could
fall to the lot of any returning
traveller.
saThe KEY to frigid endeavor is sub
sistence. There is nothing in the en-
tire realm of the arctic which is i'm
possible to man. If the animal fires
are supplied with adequate fuel, there
is no cold too severe and no obstacle
too great to surmount. No important
expedition has ever returned be-
cause of unscalable barriers or i'm
possible weather. The exhausted
food supply, resulting from a limited