The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-09-05
COOK'S WELCOME WAS WORTH
The TORTURES OF HIS TRIP

VI 0lC lNu
Our observations showed that the
drift of the polar ice is southeast while
the direction of the wind is southwest.
1t was a misunderstanding of these
conditions at the outset of our return,
that the Ice did not drift with the
wind that caused us to 60 astray and
delay US on our return trip
Can be Duplicated.
Asked for his views as to the rea-
son for the long line Of failures and
the terrible death roll that has result
ed from previous attempts to reach
the pole, DR.. Cook said:
I'm my opinion the failure of these
attempts has been on account of the
choice of routes. Many, of course,
have failed because of inadequate
equipment or the overlooking of the
party. 1t is my opinion that any man
skilled in arctic travels and educated
to condition existing there, can by
travelling light and in the winter time
and adhering closely to the game
country duplicate my achievement. l
will never attempt the feat again.
have devoted a good part of twenty
years to attaining my present success.
l have won where others have lost
their lives or their health. have re-
tained not only my life, but my health
and / belize now is good time to
stop"
viii Not Try For South Pole.
"But how about your remarks to the
king today that you would like to see
the south pole?" the explorer was
asked.
"Oh, / would like to seei all right
replied the doctor but my desire is
not sufficiently keen to prompt me to
make the trip. Right now the
greatest desire of my life is to see my
wife and children. 1t is my purpose
to get to New York as soon as pos
sible.''
| Asked point blank If he had any
other evidence or proof of the achieve
ment of his feat than that of which he
had spoken, DR.. Cook replied that he
| had not.
A Royal Welcome.
COPENHAGEN, Sept 4.-"Once s
enough for any man. I'll never return
to the north pole. A single experience
of the sort passed through will suf-
flee for life time. = The above is
/ practically the first answer DIR. Cook
made to volley of questions from
half dozen tongues by the regiment
4 of newspaper men, representing the
4 press of the entire world who board
ed the Hans Egede as she steamed
into the harbor here at $50 today
I While admitting the probability OF
/ the drifting nature of the vast ice
! stretches covering the site of the
pole will doubtless remove the evi.
dences he left on April 2--22, 1908, the
date of the discovery. Cook stated thai
the records of his observations when
presented to scientific men would be
enough to wipe away skepticism.
The Stars and Stripes.
II first planted the stars and
stripes on a staff on April 81, and un
furled the flag. My God, l tell you
lit was a sight Even with the mer
curry scores of degrees below zero, my
blood ran hot there in that God-for
shaken spot when | realized, as never
before, the true meaning Of patriot
ism and love Of the old flag. Mex
day | realized that no flag. even oul
own, could last more than fewfours
as a young gale was blowing and
took down the bunting. took another
flag and placed a cylinder on toI
of the staff which I planted on tae
side of the pole. l have with me the
Il flag first raised l hope the feat
of reaching the pole will be duplicat
ed soon enough for the evidences Il
my discovery to be found intact.
Cook Welcomed.
The native population was aug
mented by thousands from all part!
en- of Europe. AS he came down the
gang-plank at ten o'clock the crowt
surged about him and the police hac
the greatest difficulty to clear a patl
to the automobile. Cook was over
come with emotion. Tears welled int
his eyes as he said: "Ol, isn't it splen
did. l never expected SucH demon
stration. 1t seems too much for wha
| have done This reception is the bes
reply to envious detractors."
A Great Ovation.
A dense throng surrounded the Phoe
, nix hotel. Enroute to the hotel
Cook bowed to the people, wao wer
wild. The only scenes ever seen ap
preaching todays were some of th'
receptions accorded Roosevelt il
.. America during the heydey of his pop
ularity. Minister of Commerce Han
sen welcomed Cook at the hotel il
behalf of the governor. Distinguishes
men drank his health vita cham
pagne. Following the reception Cool
appeared on the balcony. He said
II had too hard time getting her
to make speech. / simply wish t
l saw that feel honored to put m.
| foot first on Danish soil on the re
r turn trip" After luncheon Cock wa
( summoned before the king. He wa
: embarrassed for the lack of clothes
9 hut the King said to come any wa.
l and wear his hunting suit He wor'
. (lra N