Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24

I = significant words today of ii. Wei y
4. ling.on wacR. counsel for Dr. .
. Frederick Cook.
| COPENHAGEN. Dec. 1.-THE Univer
| sity OF Copenhagen. the first institution
Of learning TO recognize DIR. Frederick A.
] Cook as the discoverer of the north pole
declared solemniy today that the explo-
/ rer had failed TO establish the claim upon
which his high honors had been based
4 The committee appointed by the univer-
/ sIty to examine Cooks papers recently,
reported its findings to the consistory,
which reviewed the deductions of the ex-
4 perts with the greatest care and discuss
ed the findings from every standpoint.
That both the committee and consistory
agreed was soon discovered.
! The consistory met today and adopted
a written report to the effect that the al
legged records submitted for examination
I by DR.. Cook failed to prove his claim that
heshad reached the north pole.
The report Of the committee, Of which
Professor Stromgren was chairman, de-
clares that Cooks papers as presented to
the consistory are without any value and
that HIS report TO the university is prac-
ticaIly the same as that published in the
New York Herald upon his return from
his arctic expedition. The copies of his
note books submitted, the committee says,
contain no original calculations OF obser-
vaiions. but only results thereof. Accord
fngly the committee concludes that he af-
fords no proof of having reached the
pole.
Lonsdale produced before the commit
tee a letter from Cook postmariIed Mar
settles. December a. This lends color
TO the earlier report that Cook sailed
from New York for Mediterranean port.
The documents handed the commission
Of the University of Copenhagen for ex-
animation are;
DIR. COOKS DATA.
First-A typewriter report prepared by
Cooks secretary. Walter Lonsdale, and
covering 81 pages of foolscap.
Second-A typewriter copy made by
Lonsdale from Cooks note books. This
occupies 16 pages of foolscap and includes
a description OF the expedition during the
period from March is, 1908. to June -,
1905, during which. according TO the state
ment, Cook journeyed from Svartevog to
the north pole and returned TO a point on
the polar ice not specifically indicated but
west of the axel Heiberg land.
The papers were not accompanied by
private letter from Cook, but Secretary
sion that the original notes and books of
the explorer from which his copies were
made had been sent to Europe by another
route as a precautionary measure and
would be delivered to the university in
the course OF few days.
In presenting the data Lonsdale stated
explicitly and repeatedly that the copy
numbered two was a complete and accn-
rate duplication Of the information con-
tanned in all of Cooks note books that
could be OF any Importance to the univer-
sity for the purpose of this examination
NO ORIGINAL DATA SEEN.
In spite of the explorers promise and
his secretary's assurance that they would
be forthcoming, the commission is not yet
In possession OF the original note books
and diaries.
I'D to this time il has been impossible
for the university authorities to reestab-
fish communication with. DIR. Cook which
was suspended some time ago. The ex-
plorer's address is not known here even
TO Secretary Lonsdale. q,
After the members Of the examining
Committee had made themselves acquaint-
ed individually with the material deliver
ed and so convinced themselves Of its ut
ter worthlessness as means of deter
mining whether Cook reached the pole
the president Of the committee, Profess
sor Stromgren. called a general meeting
Of the committee on last Friday. when
the report to the university. and which
is now made public, was drawn up.
Lonsdale. who has been invited to this
meeting to answer some questions.
brought with him letter which he had
from Cook, which bore neither
the place nor date OF Its writing. The |
opened envelope. however. bore the post !
mark Marseilles. December IA, 1909 The |
same envelope contained letter address, |
ed by Cook TO the former rector of the |
University OF Copenhagen, Professor
Torp. The letter to Torp was dated New /
York. September II. 1909.
In his letter to Professor Torp. Cook
states that not only were his instruments
left at Etah, but most OF his astronomI-
cal observations also were left there and
he adds that without these it seems un-
wise and impossible 10 pass a final judg-
ment upon his expedition. The commit
tee finds as follows:
FINDINGS OF COMMITTEE.
First-The report OF the expedition sent
to the New York Herald during the
months of September and October last.
Second-The copy OF Cooks notebooks
does not contain any original astrono-
mical observations whatsoever, but only
results
Third-The documents presented are in
sxcusably lacking in Information which
would prove that the astronomical OBJ
servations therein referred TO were really
made; and also contain no details regard
ng the practical work OF the expedition
and the long journey which would en-
able the committee to determine their
The committe therefore is of the opin-
on that the material transmitted for ex-
animation contains no proof that DR..
Cook reached the pole.
The report is signed by all six members
4 the committee who were assisted in
heir inquiry by Knud Ramussen. the ex-
lorer.
The university council issued this state
nent:
COUNCILS STATEMENT
The documents handed the university
or examination do not contain observa-
Ions and Information which can be re-
arded as proof that DR.. Cook reached
he north pole on his recent expedition"
The committee representing the Unit
ersity OF Copenhagen in the examination
'as composed as follows:
Prof. Ellis Stromgren, director of the
astronomical observatory; DR.. c. F. Pech-
Is. astronomer attached to the observa-
Dry; Gustav Helm, explorer; Prof A. IS.
-onscn, president of the School OF NavI-
alton; DR.. Royder. director OF the meter
logical ONCE, and DR.. F. A. Engstronl.