Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-07
COMMENT ON PEARY
Geographic Society Medal for
New Discovery.
FRIENDS ARE REJOICING
Washington Proud of Exploit of
Another American.
HONOR CONFERRED UPON NAVY
Expressions Of Views From Army
and Navy Officers, Scientists
and Officials.

Commander Peary will be honored by a
decoration from the National Geographic
Society.
DR.. Willis L. Moore. president Of the So
ciety, announces from the headquarters of
the organization in this city that official
action as to the form Of the decoration
would soon be taken by the board of
managers Of the society.
The decoration will probably be given to
Commander Peary. If he accepts the in
vitation which the society will extend 70
him to be guest Of honor. along with
DR.. Frederick A. Cook and Lieut.. shackle-
ton. at the society's annual banquet next
December. The society already has ar
| ranged to present medals to DR.. Cook and
Lieut.. Shackleton on that occasion.
DR.. Moore has been authorized to invite
President Taft to attend and make pres
entation of the decorations.
Peary's Parting Words.
Should an American first of all place
the Stars and Stripes at that coveted
spot. there is not an american citizen at
| home or abroad, and there are millions OF
us. but that would feel little better and
| little prouder of being an American;
and just that added increment of pride
and patriotism to millions would of itself
alone be worth ten times the cost of at
tanning the POLE"
Commander Robert e. Peary, almost
three years ago, thus prophetically out
lined his view OF the value and interest at
tached to the achievement he announced
in dispatches.
The penetration of the frozen heart of
= I,< IT. 49,
following close upon the heels of DR..
Cooks planting of the American flag at
the same spot, evoked enthusiastic plau-
dts in Washington. Everywhere among
army and navy officers and scientists and
official Washington generally only words
Peary. :
His Friends Are Rejoicing.
All OF these, many of them personal
friends Of. Commander Peary, are de-
lighted with the news Of his success, and
are eagerly awaiting further details from
him. Commander Peary is so wei, known
in Washington, where he makes his
home at 2019 Columbia road, and his
reputation as a scientist and explorer is
so well established that not single
word of doubt has been heard regarding
his claim to have reached the top of
the world
At the Cosmos Club, the National Geo
graphic Society and in the scientific
bureaus Of the various government de-
partments there Is an almost unanimous
opinion that both DR.. Cook and Com
mander Peary have reached the goal of
arctic exploration. While waiting for
the scientific data ION the observations
made. Washington's scientists are exult-
ing that the Stars and Stripes was plant
ed by both discoveries.
Plans are already discussed for giving
Commander Peary q rousing reception
when he returns here.
Comment Upon Exploit.
Comment on the exploit is gathered as
follows:
Frank w. Perkins, assistant superin-
tendent, United States coast and geodetic
| survey: I'VE were all delighted to hear of
Peary's discovery, but not surprised. It
was the general expectation that Peary
would succeed this time. He. was well
equipped for the journey, had long ex-
very excellent conditions. II he has
reached ST. Johns. as reported, we will
have his official report in comparatively
short time.
Rear Admiral Cowles, acting secre-
tary of the Navy: Il hope the reports in
the papers are true and that Peary has
at last succeeded in reaching the pole.
1t was my understanding that when he
left here 1t was his hope to reach the
pole about this time. Peary is a most
deserving officer. He has pursued his
purpose under all sorts of adverse condi-
lions, and only man of his energy and
persistence could hope to win SO great an
| undertaking. Beary had exceptionally fine
equipment Much money was spent on his
outfit. and he has been able to take adj
vantage of all of the mistakes and sue
cesses Of his predecessors. 1t would be
no great wonder at all IL he has at last
achieved what he set out to do. The
only fear is that even il he had discover
ed the pole sufficient time has not elapsed
| IN which to get the news to the outside
world. l hope, however, it is true"
Acting Secretary Of State Adee.
| "Peary and Cook followed the same route.
| l expected sooner or later to hear from
Peary. The report that he succeeded is
just what 1 expected
Charles j. Bell, member of the Geo
| graphic Society: Il have no doubt that
Peary reached the pole. but do not be-
lieve there was chance of his having
4 found DR.. Cooks flag there OTHERWISE
he would surely have mentioned IT in his
dispatch. believe that both men reached
the pole"
Capt. Veeder, naval observatory.
| 'Such wonderful achievements as this
make epochs in the history of the world,
i I have no doubt that this discovery will
! add UNNECESSARILY to the sum of human
| knowledge. / am immensely pleased to
| know that the American navy was at
least second in the race"
Prof. Asaph Hall, naval observatory:
"Peary adds still another name to. the
| long list OF American heroes. l did not
know him personally, but had come to