The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-13
.PEARY STANDS BY
ALL HIS ASSERTIONS
Won't Believe Cook Found
Pole Until He Sees Suf-
hcient Proof.
CONTINUED from First Page)

1t was pointed out to her that there
mad been considerable criticism of
Peary by those who believed that the
honor should have gone TO a white man
It has even been reported that Com
mander ePary had promised Capt Rob
ert Bartlett OF the Roosevelt, that he
would be the man chosen.
There is no color line In the Arctic
ing death at every turn, have no
thought Of such matters. / am sure
that the matter of Henson's color never
occurred 70 any member Of the crew.
In addition to that, 1 know that my
husband never promised any man that
he would be taken on the final sledge
trip. Conditions there make this i'm
possible. A man best fitted for the trip
one day might be wholly unfit the next.
Matt Henson has always been with
Peary on his final daShes. and by reason
Of his skill as a dog driver, his knowl-
edge OF the Eskimo language, and his
great physical endurance. probably was
the best fitted man in the party, next
TO Mr.. Peary himself. for the final dash.
HenSen an American.
But more importanot0 Othan ali is
the fact that Matt is an American, and
1 am sure that. II for no other reason,
my husband would have chosen him
ahead OF any of the men who were rsots''
In response to an inquiry as to her
opinion Of why Harry Whitney, the man
who Is supposed to have Cooks records
Of reaching the Pole. had not continued
south on the Roosevelt. but is coming
later on the jeanne, Mrs Peary said:
''WhileI, OF course, can only surmise.
l suspect that Mr. Whitney. failing to
get a polar bear at Etah, went on the
Jeanie TO Cumberland bay, where the
bears are plentiful. I am sure his leav-
ing the Roosevelt had nothing to do
with DR.. Cooks claims"
No Wrong, Says Bridgman.
Fortified by numerous documents,
Herbert l. Bridgrnsn denies any wrong
doing by the explorer in connection with
taking DR.. Cooks stores. The secre-
tary says:
"a false light has been put on the
account of taking Dr. Cooks stores.
I have received documents from Com
mander Pesry which prove that his
Ia king those abandoned stores was
right
Rudolph Francke, Of the Cook sx-
petition, came down; Peary took care
OF him.
"Peary found at various stations let
tiers from Francke-the most fmploring
with wild appeals for aid
Commander Peary took Francke with
him to his doctor at Etah. The doctor
himself has written me to that effect.
He found Francke suffering from
scurvy He had him cared for.
Guarded the Stores.
''Thsn Peary pushed along TO the
points where he found Cooks stores
that he had established the year before.
He guarded these from bears and gave
aid TO members OF the Cook party. He
even offered to send out scouts to en-
leavor to locate DR.. Cook Nothing more
could have been done by mortal man
than Peary did.
When he found abandoned stores he
took them As an officer Of the United
States navy he had a right to these.
It is quite the common practice among
explorers 10 take all abandoned stores.
BY his action Peary simply followed
custom All his letters. written long
that Peary was guilty OF no /
oftense against DIT. Cook