The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-12-21
University of Copenhagen Authorities
Not Satisfied With Data Submitted
That North Pole Explorer Had Made
the Discovery C]aimed---Much Dis
appointment Shown by the Danish
Investigators

Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec. 21.-
The University of Copenhagen, the
first institution of learning TO recOg-
nize Cook as the discOverer of the
north pole, today solemnly declared
that the explorer had failed to estab-
lish his claim on which his high hon
or is based. The committee appeared
which examined the records recent
ly and presented its report to the
eonsistory of the university, which re-
viewed the deductions Of the experts
with the greatest care and discussed
the findings from every standpoint.
That both the committee and consist
ory were disappointed at the out
come will soon be shown. The con-
sistory will meet today to adopt a
written report to the effect that the
alleged records submitted for exam
claims. The report of the commit
tee, of which Prof. Stromgren is
sistory, states Cooks papers are with
out any value, that his report to the
University of Copenhagen is practic-
ally the same as that published in
the New York Herald on his return
from the Arctic expedition. The
copies of his notebooks as submitted
contain no original calculations of
observations but only results thereof.
Accordingly the committee concludes
that he affords no proof Of having
reached the pole. There was pro-
duced before the committee a letter
from Cook postmarked Marseilles.
December IA This letter lends color
to the earlier report that Cook sailed
from New York for a Mediterranean
port. The documents submitted for
examination are: First, typewriter
letter prepared by Cooks secretary,
Walter Lonsdale. covering 81 pages
OF foolscap; second. typewriter copy
made by Lonsdale from Cooks note
books. They occupy 16 pages Of
foolscap and include the description
procured from March 18. 1908, to
June 13. 1908, during which. ac-
cording to the statement Of Cook, he
iourneyed from Svartevog to the
north pole and returned to the point
on the polar ice not specifically indi-
Gated but west of Axel. Heibog land
The papers were not accompanied by
private letter from Cook, but Ions
dale stated verbally to the commits
sion that the original notes and
books of the explorer from which the
copies had been made had been sent
to Europe by another route as pre-
eautionary measure and will be de-
livered to the university in few
days
In presenting the data Lonsdale
stated EXPLICITLY and repeatedly that
the copy numbered two was a COM
plete and accurate duplication of the
information contained in all of Cooks
notebooks that could be Of any i'm
portance to the university for pur-
poses of examination in spite of the
explorers promise and his secretary's
assurances that the commission is
not yet in possession Of the original
note books and diaries. Up to this
time it has been impossible for the
university authorities to reestablish
communication with Cook. The ex-
plorer's address not known here
even to Lonsdale.
New York, Dec. Elf the pub
lie knew the truth concerning Cooks
mental and physical condition as it is
known to his close friends, they
would take a more charitable view of
his present unfortunate situation"
said H. Wellington Wack, counsel for
Cook. today when told of the rejec-
tions of Cooks proofs that he had
been to the north pole. Wack said
that he would like to make a full
statement concerning Cook, but could
not do so until he secures the concent
OF the explorer.
"He has fooled US all, from the
king of Denmark down. exclaimed
John H. Bradley, Cooks backer on
his Arctic trip, when apprised of the
news from Copenhagen, "and he
fooled me with the rest" Bradley
added. CAS- a matter of fact, contin-
ued Bradley, Il long ago lost all in
terest in Cook, the north pole and
everything connected with it. I dis
counted this decision some time ago.
In common with the rest of the
world ! was delighted with the first