New-York tribune., 1909-09-07
GOOD NEWS" SAYS COOK
PEARY'S TRIP EXPECTED
TO PROVE CLAIM.
"Thc Pole Good Enough for TuOo, "
He 4dds-Doubts Whether
Records We're Found.

Copenhagen. Sept, 6.-Copenhagen was electri-
fed tonight by the report of Commander
Peary's announcement that he had reached the
North Pole DR.. Cook was immensely interested
and said: That is good news hope Peary
did get to the pole His observations and re-
ports on that region will confirm mine
Asked if there was any probability of Peary's
having found the tube containing his records.
Dr. Cook replied: Il hope So but that is doubt
full on account of the drift
DR. Cook added: Commander Peary would
have reached the pole this year Probably. while
/ was in the Arctic region last year, his route
was several hundred miles east of mine. We
are rivals. of course. but the pole is big enough
for two"
THAT two men got to the pole along different
paths" continued the explorer, should furnish
large additions to scientific knowledge Proba-
bly, other parties will reach it in the next ten
years, since every explorer is helped by the eX-
perience of his predecessors, just as SverdrupS
observations and reports were Of immeasurable
help to me. 1 say nothing more, without
knowing further details, than that am glad
of IT.
While Dr. Cook was talking this morning with
American friends, the possibility of the an
nounce1nent which soon afterward made
was laughingly suggested. DR.. Cook remarked:
1t is quite possible that Peary will turn up
now. He is about due to get back if he carries
out his plans. We have always been friends,
while of course rivals iii the attempt to
find the pole but we have been friendly rivals
Those who have had the best opportunities to
l., come acquainted with Or. Cook here believe
that he is not likely 10 enter into controversy
with Commander Pcary
sivcrdrup. who came here for tho purpose of
cougratulatng Dr. cook, was most interested in
the news that Pcgry had reached the pole
Svcrdrup is a remarkably taCiturn and careful
man lie said "Thcre Is nothing | say
about this particularly, except that it is most
important and wonderful. It seems to me that
America is doing wonderfully if two Americans
are the first men to get to the pole afteF such
Ioug struggles by 80 many men of different
nationalites."
Nothing but arctic exploration has beer
thought of here for the last few days, The peo-
pie At first refused to believe that suCt report
as that telling Of Peary's success had been re-
ccived. They thought it must be a canard or a
practical joke, The Danish news agency which
received the telegram from London feared that
il had been imposed upon and cabed to Lon
don for confirmation before it would circulate
the report Minister Egan characterized it as
one Of the most dramatic events of history.
The rumor spread that Peary was returning
by way of Denmark, and this made an immense
~
the Peary telegram on the ground that il was
improbable that a scientific man would use
such dramatic language.
After the dinner tonight DR.. Cook stood about
talking with Sverdrup and the other guests in a
most unconcerned manner. Later. with the
roses still decorating his shoulders his hosts led
him through the Casino grounds to an automo-
bile A crowd of several hundred half of the
number being women, surrounded and followed
him. cheering. but the people were not able to
get near enough To shake hands because of a
Gordon Of police
Commodore SverdTup. who with DR. Cook
when rhe announcement OF Peary's exploit was
made was first inclined to regard the dispatch
with suspicion. Even when confirmation was
placed in his hand he remained quite unde-
monstrative. Replying to correspondent he
said quietly:
Il am very glad that Commander Peary
reached the pole. He has been trying for TWEEN
ty-five years and possesses an enormous
amount of experience | cannot say that l
know him very well. ! have met him on sew
eral occasions and respect him greatly. The
Eonfinued on fourth p8xe.