The San Francisco call., 1909-09-18
Explorer Says Whitney and ES-
kimOs Were Pledged Not to
DivuIge Story
Gives Evasive Answers 10 Two
Peary Men Who Held His
Supply Depot
NithhOIds Details and Rival
COncOcts Story That Pole
Was Not Reached

~ BOARD THE STEAMSHIP
OSCAR j., AT SEA. sept. II
~ via Marconi wireless telegraph
10 Cape Race. \. F.. Sept ID
~TcH the people OF America to have
tho fullest confidence in my conquest
~ the pole. ! have records of Obser-
satiOns made by me which will prove
my claims. / shall he glad to set my
foot on American soil"
Trfs vas the brief message DR.. Fred
erick A. Cook today asked the Asso-
ciated Press 10 give 10 his countrymen
as lie nesrs home on the steamer Oscar
IT,. bound for New York. The oscar II.
is due Monday
Dr. Cook discussed freely the asser-
tions Of Commander Peary that he
(CooH) had never reached the north
pole. and drew from him a detailed
story OF the causes that brought about
the dissensions between the two ex-
pIcrers.
When he departed for the north. Dr.
cook said he left provisions at Anna
took. north OF Etab. in charge Of Ru-
dolph Francks and several Eskimos.
Francks had instructions to go south
aboard whaler and return later. This
Dee did. but missed the returning vessel
owing 10 a slight illness. He then was
taken aboard Peary's ship. the Roose-
Welt and proceeded north
Commander Pesry found my supply
depot at Annatook.' Doctor Cook con
tinued and the Eskimos in charge
told him that / was dead. which they
" believed 10 be true at the time.
<Pesry placed two men in charge of
the depot. Boatswain Murphy and an
other. Harry whitney. the New Haven
hunter. also remained there Murphy
had orders not to search for me, but
was told that he could send Eskimos
northward the following spring
When 1 returned from the pole un-
ezpectedly Harry Whitney was the first
OF see me and to tell ne what had oc-
curred Whitney was placed in pos
session Of the facts concerning my
journey TO the pole on condition that
he would not inform Commander Peary
or his men OF them At the same time
the Eskimos who had accompanied me
north were told to maintain the strict
est silence.
When / went into the depot there
was dispute between myself and
Murphy. who delivered to me written
instructions lie had received from
Peary. although he himself could nei-
ther read nor write. These instruc-
lions showed that he was making
trading station Of my depot. the con-
tents OF which had been used in trad
ing for furs and skins
DR. Cook said ne was intensely an
noyed al this use OF his supplies and
Threatened to kick out Murphy and his
companions. Finally. however he con-
scented to their remaining at the depot
a sthere was no other shelter for them
~On one occasion Murphy asked me
abruptly: Have you been beyond 81
Dr. Cook said.
Gives Evasive Answer
But 1 was determined not to let
Peary know Of my movements and re-
piled evasively that I had been much
y her north. From this statement
las been ooneocted the declaration that
had said that ] had not reached the
pole
Doctor Cook declared that neither
Harry Whitney nor his cooks rec
ords are on board the steamer Roose-
welt. and that therefore Peary's in
formation concerning him emanated
from Boatswain Murphy. who knew
nothing Of his movements Doctor
Cook said he had arranged for the
two Eskimos who went with him to
the pole and Knud Rasmussen. whom
he met in Greenland. TO go to New
York and confirm the story of his dis
cover3-
Prepared With Proofs
All the passengers are impressed
by the sincerity Of Doctor Cook as
indicated by his conversation with
them in regard to his discovery Of the
pole. lie says he has given the Danish
government proofs OF his achieve
monts and now is prepared to lay these
proofs before competent body in
America
Doctor Cook expressed establishment
that the news Of his discovery had.
created such = sensation and is anx-
fous 70 learn what specific declara-
tions Commander Pesry has made
concerning his exploit lie said he
could have reached civilization at the
end Of August. but was occupied with
his writings. He hopes that he wiz
arrive in New York before Commander
"a
~The journey was nothing really
WONDERFUL he said. Il used no new
devices or inventions. ] had, however,
every necessary instrument. The rea-