Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-07
Copenhagen Electrified by
Sensational Report
TRIUMPH CLAIMED BY SURGEONS
RIVAL AMAZES
First Man to Arrive at North Pole
Says He Hopes Naval offl-
Ger Really Did Like
wise

announcement tnat he nad reached lne
north pole. Dr. Cook was immensely
interested, and said
THAT is good news. 1 hope Peary did
get to the pole. His observations and
reports on that region will confirm
mine"
It Is doubtful if history furnishes
more dramatic episode than the break
ing of the news to Dr. Cook that Peary
had realized the goal of his life's ambi-
tion and repeated struggles. DR.. Cook
was seated at dinner, surrounded by
explorers and correspondents in the
gilded hall room of the Tivol casino.
Around his neck was hung garland of
pink roses according to the Scandina-
Wan method of honoring heroes, which
the explorer wore blushingly and with
visible embarrassment.
Amid this scene a whisper went
around that Peary had planted the
AStars and Stripes at the pole. Cook
was perfectly cool and unmoved.
He made a striking speech, in which
he paid high tribute to the work of
Sverdrup, who sat near, to whose dis
coveries he largely attributed his sue
cess; to John R. Bradley, who had
financed the expedition; to the intelli-
gence, endurance and faithfulness of
the Eskimos who had assisted him in
the preparations and those who had ac-
companied him.
Story Yet Untold
The whole story of the expedition, he
said, had not come out and will not
come out for some time; nor Will 1t
come on installments, but only when
1t is complete.
DR.. Cook did not permit the whispers
of Peary's success to move him in the
least, but when he had finished he was
surrounded by correspondents who
looked for some sign of emotion, but
the explorer said:
''I am glad"
Asked if there was any probability
of Peary's having found the tube con-
tanning his records, DR.. Cook replied
81 hope so, but that is doubtful on
account of the drift. Commander
Peary would have reached the pole this
year. Probably while 1 was in the
arctic region last year his route was
several hundred miles east of mine.
We are rivals, of course, but the pole
is good enough for two.
''That two men got to the pole along
different paths should furnish large
additions to scientific knowledge.
Probably other parties will reach it
in the next two years, since every ex-
plorer is helped by the experience of
his predecessors, just as Sverdrup's OBJ
servations and reports were of i'm
measurable help to me.
81 can say nothing more without
knowing further details than that l
am glad of it,
Possibility Suggested
While DR.. Cook was conversing cas-
ualIy today with American friends the
possibility of the Peary denouement
WAS laughingly suggested. DR.. Cook
remarked:
''It is quite possible that Peary will
1YYA 10 ~
back if he carries out his plans. We
have always been friends. OF course,
we are rivals in the attempt to find
the pole, but we have been friendly
rivals"
Those who have had the best oppor-
tunity to become acquainted with DR..
Cook here believe that he is not likely
to enter into a controversy with Com
mander Peary.
Sverdrup, who is here to congratulate
Dr. Cook, was much interested in tho
news that Peary had reached the pole.
There is nothing 1 can say about
this particularly" he said, except that
1t is most important and wonderful.
1t seems to me that America is doing
wonderfully we'll if two Americans are
to get to the pole after such long strug-
giles by SO many men of different ma
tons
If any evidence is needed to estab-
USn denmark NdludllOll VI IL COOh,
it can be found in the fact that he Is
to receive the highest tokens within
it's gift
To Get Gold Medal
The king is to confer on him the gold
medal of merit with the crown, which
only three other geographers, Nansen,
Sven Hedin and Amundsen, are en-
titled to wear. The geographical SO
ciety will bestow upon him its gold
xrr,i "a hpan given TO four
other travellers only-Nansen, Captain
Scott, Hedin and Sverdrup.
The Geographical society of Denmark
numbers among its members more eX-
perts in Arctic research than any other
body in the world. It's decision to ex-
tend the honor to DR.. Cook was not
formed without deliberation. The rec
tor of the University of Copenhagen,
man of profound learning, interviewed
Dr. Cook for an hour. He questioned
the explorer minutely and expressed his
firm belief in the truth of Cooks state
ments.
The longer Dr. Cook remains in
Copenhagen the more completely Is
his standing established. The cores
1,cndent of the Associated Press heard
him cross examined by competent
ouestioners half a dozen times. HIS
replies were so quick, coherent and de-
tailed that If he is a romancer he Is
only time the explorer seemed to dis
play impatience was when speaking
of one of his critics he said quickly:
"He is an old man; then he appar-
emily forgot my expedition began
about where his ended"
Many Seek Admission
The demand for admission to DR..
Cooks lecture before the Geographical
society tomorrow and banquet after
ward has placed high premium upon
the seats
The fortunate ones who possessed
tickets for the municipal banquet Sat
urday last received bids as high as
5000 for a single admission card. Cook
souvenirs filled the shop windows ana
all the local newspapers are printing
pictures showing the explorer before
and after his sessions with the BAR
bers and tailors on Saturday.
All the members of the royal FAMILY
requested autographed portraits, which
DR. Maurice F. Egan, the American
minister, took to them today.
The explorer had lunch with the
Anerfeau Yninisfa~ nj the Bristol hO-