The Cairo bulletin., 1909-09-24

kimo and Indian. The use of pemml-
can and snow shoe which makes the
penetration of the arctic mystery pos
sible. has been borrowed from the In
dian. The method of travel. motor
force. native ingenuity, without which
the polar quest would be hopeless, is
taken from the Eskimo. To the saw
| age man. therefore, who has no flag
we are bound TO give part OF this
| fruit.
To John r. Bradley.
ITO John r. Bradley. the man who
paid the bills, belongs at least half OF
this fruit. The Canadian government
sent its expedition under Capt. Be-
nier 1000 miles out of its course 10
help us. | gladly pass the basket. In
returning. the shrveled skin, the with
cred muscles we're filled out at the
expense of Danish hospitality, and
last but not least, the reception With
open arms by my fellow explorers. to
you and to all belongs this basket of
good things. which the chairman has
placed on my shoulder.
Nothing would suit me better than
to tell you tonight the complete story
of our quest, but the very first tele-
gram gives more specific data than
could hope TO tell you in an after din
ner address, therefore I'll elucidate on
certain phases OF our adventures.
A Remarkable Charge.
"One of the most remarkable
charges brought out is that I did not
seek geographic license to start for
the pole To the public that may be
mystery, but to you who know will ap-
preciate that an explorer can start
and say he will reach the pole. Brad-
ley furnished the funds. shaped the
destiny. For the time being the bus
mess concerned us only. | believed
that If we succeeded there would be
time enough to fly the banner of vic
tory. You are here onight-Bradley
is here. | am here We come togeth-
err to celebrate that victory. | appeal
to you, as explorers and men, Am
bound to appeal to anybody for Ii
cense to look for the pole?
Another criticism is the charge Of
our insufficient equipment, We have
met this. You know we had every pos
sible aid to success in sledge travel
ing, A big ship is no advantage. An
army of white men is a distinct hind-
drance. while a cumbersome luxury
of equipment is fatal to progress. We
chose to live a life simple as that of
Adam and we forced the strands Of
human endurance to the scientific
limits. There is no other way. For
our simple needs Bradley furnished
sufficient funds. We were not over
burdened with the usual aids 10 pleas
ure and comfort, but | did not start
for that purpose.
The Press Excited.
As to the excitement Of the press
TO force things of their own picking
from the important records into print
| have taken the stand that have al.
ready given tangible account of our
journey This is as complete as the
preliminary reports of any previous
explorers. The data, observations and
records are of exactly the same char
acter, Heretofore such evidence was
taken with faith and complete record
was not expected to appear for years,
whereas We agree to deliver all with
in few months
I'VE arrived at the pole April 81. |
1908. We discovered new land along
the 102nd meridian between the s4th
and 85th parallels. Beyond this there
is no life. and no land. The ice was
in large, heavy fields with few pres
sure lines. The DRIFT was southeast. |
the wind southwest Clear weather |
gave good observations nearly daily. |
These observations, combined with |
those at the pole, guarantee our claim. |
When taken in connection with the |
general record. you don't require this, |
but this and all other records will |
come to you
Cook is Thankful.
II acknowledge to YOU and to all |
living arctic explorers my debt Of |
gratitude for your valuable assistance, |
but we must not forget the fathers of |
the art OF polar travel Their glory |
Is enough for all, enough for the |
graves of the dead and the heads Of |
the living. Those here tonight are
too numerous to mention, but mention |
must, he made of Greedy. Schley, Mel |
vile, Peary, Fiala, hansen, Abruzzi |
Cagni, Sverdrup Amundsen. Nord- |
enskjold, a number Of English and
nj her ayulprarS