Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-07
TWO KINGS ARE
CONVINCED or
COOKS CLAIM
(Contined From Page ~
questions intended to test the accuracy
OF his affirmatfOns

OF his affirmations.
Although after midnight when he
reached his hotel at the end of the
first days trying experience he sat up
for two hours engaged In correspond
ence and in conversation with Com
modore Hovgaard and Professor Oluf-
sen. secretary Of the Geographical so
cfety. The explorer was about again
before o'clock this morning, read
ing TRANSACTIONS of the comments of the
Danish newspapers. Later he received
Commodore Sverdrup and Count Har-
aid Moltke, a member os the Myths
Erickson expedition who probably viii
illustrate DR.. Cooks book.
One OF the most exacting periods of
the day was an interview with Profess
sor Strombere. the leading Scandin-
avian astronomer. who says that when
he is permitted to examine DR. Cooks
observations he can decide within half
a day whether the explorer has been
at the pole. Several other expert arc
tic explorers were closeted in an eve
to eye conversation with DR.. Cook.
When they came out they appeared
thoroughly convinced of his absolute
good faith.
A luncheon at the American legation
afforded further opportunity to non
expert persons to strengthen their al
ready Arm belief in the explorers mar
rative. Then DIR. Cook disappeared
from public view for an hour. during
which time he submitted to the camera
at Photographic studio.
Scene Of Great Enthusiasm.
The dinner at the Royal castle at
Charlottenlund was the scene Of the
greatest enthusiasm. The King and
every member of the royal family,
even the smallest children, assembled
DR.. Maurice F. Egan. the American
minister the Rev. DR.. Daae of Chi
cago and several other guests, COM
pleted the party. The dinner passed off
quietly. as is customary on Sunday in
the royal household. but after dinner
there was a regular rush around DIR.
Cook, who started a, succinct recital of
his adventures. whose graphic depic-
ton gained Endorsement from the
calnness and candor Of the speaker.
One after another of the royal person
ages piled him with questions and
marked their Intelligent appreciation
Of the conditions in arctic seas and
then waited while the explorer answer
ed. always without hesitation. The
younger members of the family seemed
literally to hang on his words. Prince
Waldemar, brother of the King, who is
scientific sailor, was extremely in
terested in the currents about the pole
and the condition of the ice. Prince and
Princess George of Greece also made
pertinent Inquiries.
The King and Queen and everybody
were SO greatly interested in the story
of the poles discovery that they re-
NAMED in the drawing room much lat
er than is their custom. AS DR.. Cook
retired with Minister Egan he was the
center of congratulatory group. It
was easy to be seen that the royal
family had implicit faith in him.
viii Lecture at Paris.
When he returned to his rooms at
the hotel DIR. Cook took up the CORES
pondence on which he had been engag
ed. writing until a late hour. 1t has
Brussels he, will deliver lecture at
Paris. He will then return to Copen-
hagen and sail from there to New
York.
One of the most interesting features
of Dr. Cooks present position is that
he is about the only intelligent man in
the world now who does not realize
how conspicuous and talked about DR..
Cook is today.
Minister Egan has shielded him as
carefully as possible. While he is theo-
retically living as the governments
guest at a hotel, he is practically living
at the legation SO that he may be kept
away from the pressure of the crowds
which are still surrounding the hotel.
DR.. Cook thinks that he will be able
to get back to New York quietly so
that he may revise his scientific
records before he gives them to the
world.
At lunch at the American embassy
yesterday the explorer escaped for a
few minutes from the absorbing topic
Of the arctic and asked questions
which to the listeners appeared anus
ing about what was going on. What
was this remarkable play, "The Merry
Widow Of which he had heard from
the Danes in Greenland? What was
Taft's majority? and similar ques-
tons
ant Shackleton's expedition to the
south pole he was hungry for more
and enthusiastic over the English ex-
plorer's achievements.
Visit From Literary Men.
Two of the most prominent literary
men of Denmark, George Brandes and
Baron Rosencrantz, came in to shake
hands, and throughout the course Of
the day DR.. Cook met the most notable
people in all branches. The program
which has now been arranged includes
a reception by the American Minister
to the diplomats on Tuesday afternoon,
a reception to several Danish univer-
sity delegates who wish to pay their
respects to the explorer and an ad
dress by DIR. Cook before the geograph-
ical society.
In the matter of the authenticity of
DR.. Cooks exploit, which seems to
have raised questions in America, there
is this to be said: In Denmark the men
of his own profession-expora
surround him and support him souled-
ly. Instead Of avoiding them. as a
charlatan would, he spends every pos
sible moment with them, discussing
eagerly observations, ice foes and
drifts, dogs and supplies, and they be-
lieve in him. Whatever the rest of the
world may think, Denmark. which
prides itself on arctic explorations, has
put the seal Of its belief and indorse-
ment on DR.. Cook as strongly as it is
possible to do.
The King, acting on carefully con-
sidered advice from experts, gives him
such honors as never before have been
given to a private person. All the Dan
ish papers, after the first days skep-
ticism. accept him wholly. There was
strong doubt of his claims before he
arrived, but one of the strongest fac
tors now is DR.. Cooks personality and
the absolute freedom and candor with
which he answers all questions.
To obviate the possible loss by ship