New-York tribune., 1909-09-13
SUSPENDING JUDGMENT.
Scientists abroad Un5ciLling to Dis
cuSs RiUaL Claims.

r. X. X,
fessor OF geography in the University Of Berlin,
said to-day that his attitude regarding the polar
controversy was practically that OF various inhu-
ential journals. which believe that Europe must
wait until the American Navy Department or
American geographical societies. with all the facts
before them. including estimates OF Peary and
Cook. reach a finding.
The Frankfort -ZeItung"' says that only when
specialists. acting Judges have all the ma
terials before them authoritative decision
be given. other newspapers point out that scien-
tifc controversies carried with intoler-
ance than political religious controversies: that
painful personalities viii settle anything. and
suggest that il would be well fer the friends Of
both DIR. Cook and Commander Peary 20 counsel
them 10 adopt sportsmanlike attitude.
London, Sept l8-The London newspapers now
appear content allow the rival explorers stories
20 speak for themselves. The Morning Post"
however. in a special article compares the ac-
counts of Dr. Cook and Commander Peary, and
says that the latter's is q plain unvarnshed tale:
II bears the impress OF genuineness and carries
conviction the reader The writer thinks that
Peary's dropping the white in the last stage
Of his journey due partly 20 his desire 10 make
the last desperate effort unhampeTed by a large
party and partly through reluctance 10 share his
triumph with any other white He adds that
perhaps the generosity OF permitting Captain Bart
lett TO accompany him to the end was hardly TO
be expected.
Peary had independent witnesses on his Journey to
nearly the ssth parallel, DR.. Cooks only white
companion left him at Etah Regarding the un-
exampled speed OF the Journey The Post sup
poses that IL due 10 superior organization and
equipment, the outcome OF long experience, and
suggests that the fact that Peary does confirm
Cooks discovery OF new land is due TO a misunder-
standing. because obviously Cooks land is
Identical with Peary's crOckers Land: sighted in
1906
II roints out that ho4h axnlorers eyoplovad che
same analogy Of glacier-ke ice 10 describe the
conditions the pole and considers Peary's
narrative. after he quilted Captain Bartlett. diff
cult TO follow. It would be advisable continues the
paper, 10 wait for detailed reports together
with photographs and other records. especially as
the difficulties OF taking observations in the
polar region. leave great possibilities OF error.
Paris. Sept l2-French scientists are beginning
distinctly 10 favor the submission by Dr. Cook and
Commander Peary OF their records 10 an impartial
international scientific tribunal Prince Roland
paTte president Of the Paris Geograp phica So
cety. believes that France is the logical arbiter.
Speaking on this subject to-day the prince said:
Recltsls are ipconelusye; They contain plenty Of
act information. Personally think that both
proofs maps ana diaries Until that s done f the
scientific world has The right 70 entertain what
ply distrust Of either man, but Il is proper that a
Approximation should be given; Il is humanity pos
reached the pole, but why rather than the
other? I think that all documents should be sub
mitted 10 a scientific society which would name a
commission composed Of explorers. astronomers,
nayfgators and polar experts. Every document
should be produced in order that the conclusion
may be definite The commission should have the
right 20 summon witnesses and cross-eyamine them.
Naturally in the selection OF a commission. the
United States should be excluded One cannot be
both Judge and party.
In the United States the scientists according to
their svmpathes are divided into what might be
called Cookists and Pesryists. Therefore Amer
lean verdict would convince one. England should
also be excluded the two countries bound
by ties OF blood Besides. the English cousins have
displayed some Jealousy
In conclusion. the prince declared that France
was the logical country 10 undertake the task
France is friendly terms with the United
States" he said and completely dlsnterested, as
none OF her expeditions aim the North Pole"
NJ. Bouquet. vice-director OF the Paris Observa-
tory, warmly supports the suggestion Of a scien-
tifc tribunal. "Only observations during the voy-
age" he says ARE OF any value. The stories told
by explorers and the testimony Of Esqumaus are
worth nothing. Observations might be falsifed but
an assemblage OF astronomers and navigators
would discover flaws. which would expose any
fraud"