The Washington times., 1909-09-07
THE NORTH POLE REACHED
BY COMMANDER PEARY.

The North Pole has ceased to be one
Of the mysteries of the world.
Close on the heels OF the news of the
discovery of the Pole by DR.. Frederick
A. Cook comes the authenticated re-
port that Commander Robert Z. Peary,
of the United. States Navy, with a
party of his companions, has also
reached the top of the world and is
now returning. That within less than
a week there should come the>-news
that the Pole has been reached by two
different explorers, after being yelled
from the eyes of man through all
known time, and for more than three
centuries thwarting the most heroic eff
forts to reach it, is one OF the marvellous
condolences Of history.
And yet it is by no means unbeliev-
able that this should be the case. Sub
stantial reasons exist why both DIR.
Cook and Commander Peary each stood
better chances of attaining the goal of
explorers in the frozen North than the
expeditions which went before them
The knowledge gained in past expedi-
tions has not been lost. Each ex-
plcrer's- experience has been OF some
value to succeeding expeditions. Each
expedition has added something to the
sum of scientific knowledge concerning
the Arctic regions and the dominion of
perpetual snow. Both DR.. Cook and
Commander Peary made their prepare
tions for the Pole guided by their own
experiences Of the past and by the ex-
periences of the men who have been
hunting for the northern end OF the
earth's axis since the sixteenth century
II must be assumed that each ones
strategy for successful polar research
was the best that could be devised in
the light OF past knowledge and from
the standpoint of men themselves re-
markably well qualified by character
and training for the work at hand. II
IS astonishing that they have each sue
ceeded at almost the same time. but It
is not unnatural or incomprehensible
in the light of all the circumstances.
What viii impress the average
American citizen. aside from the re-
markable coincidence in time Of the
two discoveries, is that, regardless OF
controversies, the Pole has been located,
and It is de to American pluck, genius,
and perseverance that it has been
found
The authenticity Of Commander
Peary's exploit cannot be questioned
Apparently, he was fortified by the
presence of reputable witnesses. While
DR.. Cook IL less fortunate in respect to
proofs, there has thus far been moth
ing put forward to disprove his asser-
tons, and the scientific world as a
whole seems disposed 70 credit him with
telling the truth.
It appears that Commander Peary's
party, which reached the Pole later
than Dr.. Cook. found no traces of his
having been there. This is not only not
strange. granting DR.. Cook reached the
Pole, but 1t was not TO be expected that
any traces of the preceding explorers
visit would be found. II, as DIR. Cook
says, the Pole is located in a vast field
Of fee, and drifting ice at that, it could
not be expected that the traces Of the
presence of DR.. Cook would be discov-
cred.
It IS quite likely there viii be bit
ter controversy between the friends Of
Peary and the friends Of DR.. Cook.
This is to be deplored. Such a contro-
versy ought 70 be avoided. There is
glory enough to 90 around and plenty
TO spare. It is noticeable that DR.. Cook
has FASTENED 10 commend the work
Of Peary and that Peary does not dis
credit DR.. Cook. IF each preserves this
attitude aud their friends do the same
IL viii be a source Of satisfaction all
around. II would be in a way hu-
initiating TO the United States to have
the splendid achievements Of the two
American explorers marred by bitter
wrangle Of the Sampson -Schley sort.
It Is to be hoped that DR.. Cook will be
able to bring forth irrefutable proofs
Of his success, and that the production
Of these will remove all ground for any
controversy between him and Com
mander Peary.
Commander Peary reached the Pole
after trying TO reach it eight times. He
won at last because he stuck TO the
task with a courage nothing could
move. Tie deserves the success that
has crowned his efforts. And it is no
small addition to the hoDors Of the