The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-09-09
DR.. Cook Immensely
Pleased at kGWS.
ARE FRIENDLY RIVALS
Says PeaD's Reports VIII
Confirm His.
TOOK DIFFERENT ROUTES
Should Furnish Large Additions
TO Scientific knowledge.
TOOK DIFFERENT ROUTES

Copenhagen. Sept -Copcnhageu
was eleotrined by the report OF Com
mAndsr Peary's announcement that he
had reached the North Pole Dr Cook
was immensely Interested aud said.
That is good news hope Peary did
get to the pole. His observations and
reports on that region will CONFIRM
mine
II is doubtful II history furnishes a
more dramatic episode than the
breaking OF the news 10 DR.. Cook that
Psary had realized the goal OF his life ;
ambition and repeated struggles. Dr..
Cook was seated at dinner sur
rounded by explorers and correspond
ents, In the gilded ballroom OF the
Tfvoh Casino. Around his neck wa
hung garland OF ping roses. accord.
ing 10 the Scandinavian method OF
honoring heroes. which the explorer
wore 6lushingly and with visible en-.
barrassment Several speeches 4
claiming him had been given and re
peated tOasts 10 him drunk with clam
orous cheers
Amid this scene a whisper went
around that Peary had planted the
Stars and Stripes AZ the pole Cook
was perfectly cool and unmoved lie
made striking speech in which ne
paid high tribute TO the work OF Sver-
drup. who sat near. 10 whose discov.
cries he largely owed his success: 10
John r. Bradley. who had financed
the expedition; to the intelligence
endurance and faithfulness" OF the Es-
kimos who had assisted him IN the
preparations. and those who had 40
compsnied him. The whole story OF the
expedition. he said has not come out
and viii not come out for some time
nor will IL come in installments. but
only when # Is complete
Il Am Glad."-Dr. Cook.
DIR. Cook did not permit the whis-
pers which came TO his ears OF Pear, =
success to move him in the least. but
when he had finished he was sur
rounded by spondents. who looked
for some sign OF emotion. but the *.
plorer said smiiingly: Il am glad
Asked Il there was any probability
OF Pears's having found The tube con
tanning his records. DR.. Cook replied.
= hopt SO but that is doubtful on &C.
count OF the drift"
Or. Cook added. Commander Pesry
would have reached the pole this year.
Probably while was there last year
mis- route was several hundred miles
east OF mine. We are rivals. OF course
but the pole is good enough for two
That two men got TO the pole along
different paths" continued the ex
plorer. should furnish large additions
10 scientific knowledge Probably
other parties will reach II in the next
ten years. since every explorer is
helped by the experience OF his pre-
decessors. just as Sverdrup's observa-
lions and reports were OF immeasur-
able heip 20 me. can say nothing
more. without knowing further details.
than that am glad OF It."
While Or. Cook was conversing cas-
ually with American friends the Dos
sibllity Of the denOuement which cleo
trified the world was laughingly sug-
rested. DR.. Cook remarked 1t Is
quite possible that Peary will turn up
Tow. He Is about due TO get back. n
Ae carries out his plans. We have al
ways been friends. while or course we
are rivals in the attempt to find the
pole. but we have been friendly
rivals"
Those who have had the best oppor-
nnities 20 become acquainted with
DIR. Cook here believe that he Is not
likely TO enter into a controversy with
Commander Peary.
Sverdrup. who came here for the
purpose Of congratulating Or. Cook.
was most interested in the news that
Peary had reached the pole Sver-
drup is a remarkably tactiturn and
careful man. lie said: There is moth
ing I can say about this particularly
except that II is most important and
wonderful. II seems to me that Amer
lea is doing wonderfully n two Ameri-
cans are the FIRST men to get 20 the
pole after such long struggles by so
many men OF different natiOnaIities."
Some questioned the authority OF
the PeaTy telegram on the ground that
II waA improbable that a scientific man
woNld use such dramatic language