The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-27
Explorers Instruments Are Still At Etah In Far Away
 Greenland
COOK WILL NOT SUE
 PEARY FOR DAMAGES
Peary Declares that He Declined to Ship Instruments Because He Knew His Rival Intended
 to Claim Discovery.

New York, September 26.-Com. Robert E. Peary refused absolutely to allow any of the records or instruments of pr. Fred erick A. Cook to be brought aboard the steamer Roosevelt. and was thus instru- mental in causing these records to remain in cache at Etah, Greenland, according 10 Harry Whitney, the New Haven sports man, in a dispatch received in this city by pr. Cook today. The message which came as response to one from pr. Cook, is as follows:
 "Strathcona, via Indian Harbor
 and Cape Ray, N. F., September 25. 'Dr. r. A. Cook, Waldorf, New York:
 Started for home Roosevelt Nothing f arrived for me- Peary would allow noth- ing to you on board. Said to leave every lining in cache at Etab. Met Captain Sam, North Star Did not go back after going schooner bound St. Johns take steamer home. Hope you well. See you soon. Explain all. Good shooting.
 HARRY WHITNEY"
 Cook Will Not Sue.
 Dr. Cook was questioned today as to his < view of the situation created by the ton ascribed to Commander Peary. but he < Xsleclined to say anything derogatory of #his rival. 'It may be that the instru- Hnents will arrive this year after all.' he said. and as for the records and obser- ystions gsi t.9 .s sssss = Vi ee'.as pn difference whatever.sas I nave complete duplicates, so that there will be no delay in compiling my story with all it's de- ' tails
 .R Dr. Cook denied the report that he was Ito bring suit for islander against Peary. s8f'I have no intention of bringing suit. Nat spraly, am taking measures to have Everything in order in case of necessity; but have never even thought of filing a suit. and I wish to contradict such re- 4 ports at once'
 If they are still at Etah, Dr. Cooks instruments may not arrive in New York until the spring months of 19l0 There is a possibility, however, of their reaching here this year, as another vessel may have touched at Etah after the Roosevelt left.
 q shall wait" continued Dr. Cook. 'I think MT. Whitney knew what he had in his possession. It would be very difficult for me to say what effects the occurrence will have. The absence of the records and. instruments will however, not affect the ultimate results particle. But it would be very desirable to have the instruments here; that is certain.
 "Mr Whitney certainly knew that the effects with him were important. He was compelled to tell MT. Peary that he had my things with him. He is too hon est to suppress such information.
 T had not spoken to MT. Whitney of any estrangement between MT. Peary and myself. He had believed that a ship would come for him from the American side and the things would go along with it.
 ''The leaving of the instruments may cause delay in sending any records to Copenhagen, but it will not affect the people who are to make the final investi- gation.
 'It is impossible to send anyone to Etah to fetch the instruments and records at this time of the year, as navigation ;s elosed and if it was open ship would take four or five weeks to get there
 '.The claim that copied Peary's sledges Is nonsensical He hitherto used the exact prototype of the Eskimo sledge. I never copied anything have not seen him for over two years
 There were fe woriignals among the documents left with MT. Whitney. but 1t will not make any difference if they are never found again. MT. Whitney really does not know what there is, or what there is not, among them.
 Instruments Not Lost.
 'The instruments are not lost The Eskimos know where they are. They will be looked after. MT. Whitney has sent no word except that they are at Etah.
 AS to the question of proof, that is the same, whether the observations are made by one person or by five or more.
 T am sure Peary had no means of get ting any news of me since the middle of April, but he knew that had gone south My instruments were packed separate ly in several boxes and these were put into packing case. They could not be injured by falls or rough handling.
 'Regarding the possibility that a man could get within POO or 300 miles of the pole and think he had got there, leave that to the scientists.
 ssWhen MT. Whitney met me on my ar, rival at Etah, the first thing he said was: Well, I have been here in a lucky year.
 MT Whitney has said all he needs to say on the subject of my expedition.
 q have entered into no arrangement to meet Mr. Peary at any time"
 Whitney's Message.
 New Haven, Conn.,, September 26.-The Journal al-Courier in the morning will pub fish the following message from Harry Whitney:
 Steamship Strathcona. via Matconi Wireless, Indian Harbor and Cape Ray, Newfoundland, September 26.
 Morris c. Osborne, Editor Journal Courier. New Haven, Conn.
 Telegram received last night. Ar