Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-09-25
COOK ANSWERS
ALL QUESTIONS
Explorer Submits to Sharp
Cross Examination.
CONDUCTED BY REPORTERS


Material Points Of His Ansyers Did
Not Differ In q Great Degree From
hIs Original story-ssys He Con.
sIdsrs Psary His Friend.
New York, Sept. 23.-Dr Frederick
4 Cook. seeking rest and seclusion
with his family in the waldorf.Astoria
after the boisterous welcome. submit
ted cheerfully to one OF tho severest
cross-examinatiOns since he announced
bis discovery of the North Pole. The
ordeal of the interview. which was con-
Quoted by forty newspaper representa-.
tives, including several from foreign
newspapers. proved at least that he
was not afraid to meet the public. In
cidentially the city Of New York OFF,
cially recognized his achievement
when the board OF aldermen passed a
resolution. concentrating his discov.
cry and providing for public wei
come at the city hall.
The material points of DIR. Cooks
answers did not differ In great de-
gree from his original recital. Some
slight details were cleared up. how
ever, which throw light on the way In
which the polar dash was effected.
The most interesting phase OF the
interview was reached when DR.. Cook
was asked II he would object to show
ing his diary. He Immediately con-
scented and. after retiring to his room,
returned with a small octave notebook,
which he showed freely to all. It was
q thin book containing 176 pages. each
OF which was filed with fifty or sixty
lines Of penciled writing In the most
minute characters. The book, he said.
contained considerably more than 100,.
900 words, while he has besides other
books embracing his observations and
other data. He did not show them.
however.
The interviewers were rather severe
In regard to details. but nothing indi-
Gated that the polar travellers men,
DRY was at fault even In the most
minute particulars
Not once did he refuse to reply ex-
cept when the name Of Commander
Peary was preached. Even then he said
that he had always and did now con-
slider Peary as his friend. but contro-
versial subjects in connection with his
rival he avoided entirely. saying that
they could wait. Throughout the inter-
view he exhibited the utmost patience.
When requested to say what had &C.
uA -, Ina xr-fS 10
ney. the New Haven sportsman. he
said he preferred to let Whitney tell
his own story, as Whitney was quite
unbiased. His reasons in imposing
secrecy on Whitney, on Pritchard,
Peary's cabin boy, and the Eskimos
were prompted by his desire to be the
nrst to tell the world of his discovery.
He had done the work. he said, and
was entitled to relate how II had been
carried out.
DIR. Cook appears to exercise great
Delf-restraint but can hardly repress
\ natural annoyance at impeachment
pf his veracity, without proofs. He re-
Iuested the Associated Press to make
public the following:
Il have come from the pole. have
brought my story and my data with
ne. l have not come home to enter
INTO arguments with one man or with
Fifty men. but am here to present a
slear record Of a piece of work over
which have right to display a GER
lain amount OF pride.
Il am perfectly willing to abide by
he final verdict on this record OF COM
petent judges. That must be the last
word. and that alone can satisfy me
and the public.
Furthermore. not only will my re.
port be before you in black and white.
but I will also bring to America hu.
man witnesses to prove that have
been to the pole"