The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-09-04
American Explorer in
Copenhagen Declares
Il Have Proof"
"MY OBSERVATIONS
WILL BEAR OUT CLAIM"
Starving, He Broke Up Sledgs
and Made Bows and Arrows
and Shot Walruses.

COPENHAGEN. Sept. ii have
brought back the most exact observa-
tions, absolutely proving my statement.
| have kept a diary of my expedition.
III which l recorded the most minute
details"
This was the statement made today
by DIR. Frederick A. Cook, the American
explorer, when he reached this city on
board the steamer Hans Egede from
Greenland.
King Frederick received DIR. Fred
criclx A. Cook, the American explorer,
who reached Copenhagen today from
Greenland, In private audience mt $3.50
o'clock this afternoon. The audience
lasted for half an hour. The Queen and
her three daughters, Princesses Ingc-
borg, Thyra and Dagmar. were present.
DR.. Cook was presented to his majesty
by Maurice F. Egan, the American
minister.
1t was exactly 10 o'clock when the
vessel steamed into the harbor, accom-
panied by a government torpedo-boat-
and fleet of welcoming craft DIR.
Cook was standing on the bridge of the
steamer, which flew the American fiag
at her mizzen mast. Crown Prince
Christian of Denmark, Maurice Egan.
the American minister; the Danish Mini
lister of Commerce and committee rep
resenting various public bodies boarded
the Hans Egede and welcomed DIR. Cook
In the name of the nation and the city.
DIR. Cook was escorted ashore by
Prince Christian. The explorer was
cheered by great crowds as he set foot
on dry land. An immense throng fol-
lowed through the streets to the Me-
neurological Institute. where he made
brief speech.
Left Documents Mt Pole.
Speaking to the representative OF tho
Associated Press, Dr. Cook said he left
at the North Pole nm American flag and
a box containing documents, including
brief account of his trip and certain
observ ations and data TO bear out his
claim.
Captain I. Larsen, of the Hans Egede.
said he had examined DIR. Cooks rec-
ords and that he believed them to be
perfectly correct. In the course OF the
interview, DR.. Cook said:
1T was not my intention at the start
to proceed to the pole; l was merely on
an Arctic excursion. But as found con-
ditions favorable l continued on my
way TO the pole.
az discovered two hitherto unknown
Islands.
"We missed the depots which pre-
viously had been established. but we
came accidentally upon one of Mel
ville's depots, where we found pro-
visions and instruments in an excellent
state of preservation Owing to the
smallness of my expedition our require-
ments were not large. For the same
reason we were able to proceed quickly.
On some days we covered as high as
twelve miles, which is an extraordi-
nary speed.
"As / approached the pole the Eski-
mos with me were utterly scared at
the meteorological conditions.
Make Bows and Arrows.
"On the return trip our provisions
became entirely exhausted. No animal
life was visible and for three days we
had nothing to eat. Then In a crevlce
of the ice we caught sight of several
walruses | had only a few cartridges
left. | crept along the ice on my
stomach, approaching the animals
/ slowly so as not to frlghten them
| expended all my cartridges and as a
result obtained two of the walruses
Our lives were saved.
1--WE then broke up our only siedge
! and made bows and arrows of the wood,
as do the Eskimos and we obtained
/ game with these arms.
| Again, near Cape York, we were
virtually on the point of starvation
when we found young seal sleeping
on the ice. At Cape York itself we
found traces of musk oxen. which we
tracked and killed.
From Upernavik to Egedesminde I
sailed on the same ship that carried the
MacClintocs and Franklin relief expe-
ditions."
Had Modern Instruments.
Continuing the conversation, Or.
Cook said he had in his possession the
best modern instruments for taking OBJ
servations, a sextant, three chronn-N
meters and good watch, and that he
took daily observations from So de-
grees to the pole While at the pole
he took double observations, to make
quite sure.
He declared that twelve miles a dav
was not much for Eskimos, who often
covered greater distances.
! He preserved the health of himself
and his companions by living as do the
Eskmos. Both the EslSimos with him
were young men who were fully under
his influence and who followed his IN
structions absolutely.
The season also favored him. The