The San Francisco call., 1909-12-22
COOK BRANDED
AN IMPOSTOR
BY SCIENTISTS
Copenhagen University's Special
Committee Skaters ExpIOr-
er's Polar Claims
Savants Declare That Records"
Submitted Convict Doctor
as a Swindler

as a SWIndler
COPENHAGEN. Dec 2l.-The report
of the special committee of scientists
which the University of Copenhagen
appointed to investigate DR.. Frederick
Cooks claims that he had discovered
the north pole was submitted TO the
consistory Of the university this morn
ing. indorsed by that body and given
10 the public.
The report skaters completely, al
most contemptuously, the American ex-
ploreers title TO such discovery and
nils officials and people of Denmark
with chagrin at the figure Denmark is
made to assume in the eyes OF the
scientific world.
The public was prepared for YER
dict of not proven, but did not ex-
pect its recent hero to be branded as
an impostor Many still cling to the
belief that Cook acted in good faith,
but harbored a delusion.
COOKS HONESTY DOUBTED
Explorers and scientists almost en-
esty, while one OF his warmest sup
porters. Knud Rasmussen. helped TO
frame the report. The evening papers
attack Cook and severely reproach him
for hiding, which they regard as sign
Of guilty conscience.
The rector of the university, Doctor
Salomonson. when questioned as to
the possibility OF the university can
ceiling the degree which il conferred
ID 4 s.,
had been reached. but be thought that
The degree would be withdrawn in the
same way as a government could de-
prive person of an order obtained
under false pretenses.
Commodore Gustav Holm, arctic ex-
plorer and member Of the committee.
said.
Cooks claim that he made the OBJ
servauon So degrees 80 minutes 4e sec
onos near the pole proved Immediately
that he was q bad observer but moth
ing indicated that he was swindler.
Now his papers convict him of being
swindler. We examined Cooks OBJ
servations first and agreed unanimously
mat they Were worthless Loose's OBJ
- seryations were not used in the papers
Cook submitted 10 the university"
BRANDS COOK FAFxER
In an interview tonight Knud Ras-
mussen said:
Ny confidence in Cook has been
based on personal Impressions. on re-
ports that J had received and also on
the testimony Of the Eskimos when
they all said that he had made the trip
from cape Spsrbo TO Etah. and such 2
trip in.the dark Of winter would sufice
10 make man famous But the papers
which Cook sent 10 Copenhagen uni
Nersity are almost impudent ANY
schoolboy could make such calcuIa-
lions II is a most childish attempt at
cheating. Cook has killed himself by
his own foolish acts"
Hero Is Discredited
NEW YORK. Dec 2l.-Honored by
the king OF Denmark, heralded by the
University OF Copenhagen. garlanded
with wreaths OF roses by young girls
accorded the freedom of the city of
New York and acclaimed by thousands
as the bravest man who ever dared the
silent terrOrs Of the arctic. Dr. Fred
erick A Cook stands tonight discred-
tied in the house OF his friends.
Not a word from him in defense OF
explanation. Nothing but disavowals
from his partisans in the controversy
that has ragged about him ever since he
first flashed word from Lerwick, in the
shetland islands, To his wife:
Successful; well; address Copen-
hagen
Even that address tonight is lack
ing. only his brother still stands
stubbornly By him. refusing to believe
that the verdict OF the University of
Copenhagen has been correctly re-
ported
WHERE Is DOCTOR COOK.
Interest tonight turns to three ques-
lions: Where is the doctor? What
viii he have to say for himself? What
VIII he do with himself?
A friend said today:
4 asked Doctor Cook what he would
DO II the University of Copenhagen
found against him.
7 haven't thought Of that" an
swered the doctor.
But you must think of it," said the
friend
We'll answered the doctor IF the
university should find against me be-
lieve 1 should go back among the Es-
kimos Of southern Greenland and try
10 carry on there such a medical mis-
sion as Doctor Grenfell has made IA
nous.
MADE BIG SUN
Henry Wellington Wsck. Doctor
Cooks lawyer, and the friend who is
authority for the statement above.
were asked tonight how much money
they thought Doctor Cook had made
from the sale OF his narrative TO news
papers in this country and abroad and
from his lectures.
More than $4,000" said Wack
More than 500. 600" said the friend.
Both agreed that should the doctor
elect to spend the rest Of his days in
retirement he never need want for
comfort.
He has fooled us all, from the king
OF Denmark down" was the exclama-
tion OF John r. Bradley. Doctor Cooks
hacker in his arctic trip. when apprised
Of the news from Copenhagen. And
he fooled me with the rest" Bradley
added LAS matter of fact" contin-
ued the sportsman. L long ago lost all
interest in Doctor Cook, the north pole
and everything connected with it."
Peary Sounded Warming
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2L-nThree
months ago. from the Labrador coast,
I sounded an explicit and deliberately
worded warning TO the world. based
upon complete and accurate informa-
tion in regard TO the Cook claims. In
doing so, / accepted the responsibility
devoiving upon me and fulfilled my
duty to myself and TO the world
with these words Commander Robert
K. Peary today pointedly expressed his
sentiments regarding the failure OF the
University Of Copenhagen to find any
proof Of the discovery of the north
IL