Potosi journal., 1909-09-22
CURT REPLY CAUSE
OF PEARY's CLAIM
EXPLORER ON STEAMSHIP Ex-
PLAINS he PLEDGED FOL-
LOWERS TO SECRECY.
DISPUTE OVER STORES IS TOLD
Repeats Charge That Supplies Were
Seized and Tells Of Arrangement
for Eskimos and Rasmussen
to Come to New York.

On Board the Steamship Oscar II,
ut Sea, Sept. IS, via Marconi Wireless
Telegraph to Cape Race, N. C.-"TeIl
fullest confidence in my conquest of
the pole. 1 have records of observa-
tions made by me which will prove my
claims. l shall be glad to set my foot
on American soil"
This was the brief message DR..
Frederick A. Cook asked the Asso-
ciated Press to give to his country
men as he nears home on the steamer
Oscar II from Norway to New York.
The steamer Oscar II is due to ar
rive some time next Monday.
DR.. Cook discussed freely with the
Associated Press correspondent the
assertion of Commander Peary that
he CDR. Cook had never reached the
north pole, and drew from him a de-
tailed story of the causes that brought
about dissensions between the two
explorers.
When he departed for the north, DR..
Cook said he left a depot of provis-
ions at Annatok, north of Etah, in
charge of Rudolph F'rancke and sew
eral Eskimos. Francke had instruc.
tions to 60 south aboard whaler and
return later. This he did, but missed
the returning vessel, owing to a
slight Illness. He was then taken
aboard Peary's ship, the Roosevelt,
and proceeded north.
Peary Takes Charge Of Supplies.
Commander Peary found my sup
ply depot at Annatok." Dr. Cook con-
tinued, land the Eskimos in charge
told him that I was dead, which they
fully believed to be true at the time.
"Peary 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 from the relief depot.
when I returned from the pole, un.
expectedly, Harry Whitney was the
first to see me and to tell me what
had occurred. Whitney was placed in
possession 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 ac-
companied me north were told to
maintain the strictest silence.
when I went into the depot there
was dispute between myself and
Murphy, who delivered to me written
instructions he had received from
Peary, although he himself could
neither read or write. These instruc-
tions showed that he was making a
trading station of my depot, the con-
tents Of which had been used in trad
ing for furs and SKINS"
DR.. Cook said he was intensely an
noyed at this alleged wrongful use of
his supplies and threatened to kick
out Murphy and his companions.
Finally, however, he consented to
their remaining at the depot, as there
was no other shelter in the vicinity
for them.
Cooks Answer Evasive.
"On one occasion Murphy asked me
abruptly, Have you been beyond S7?' "
DR.. Cook said. "But was determined
not to let Peary know of my move
ments, and replied evasively that I
had ben much farther north. From
this statement has been concocted the
declaration that l had said that I had
not reached the pole.''
DR.. Cook declared that neither
| Harry Whitney nor his (Cook's) rec
| ords are on board the steamer Roose-
velt and that therefore, Peary's infor-
| nation concerning him emanated
from Boatswain Murphy, who knew
| nothing of his movements. DR.. Cook
said also that he had made arrange
| ments for the two Eskimos who went
| with him to the pole, and Knud Ras-
mussen, whom he met in Greenland,
to go to New York and confirm the
story Of his discovery. Dr.. Cook is
thoroughly enjoying his rest aboard
ship after the strenuous days at
Copenhagen. He sleeps ten hours
each night and spends long time
daily in writing and in walking the
decks and conversing with the Ameri-
can passengers. who all have been
formally presented to him by Benja.
min Trueblood. president of the
American Peace Society of Boston.