Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-17

day than we had been on the day We
reached the pole.
After that everything went we'll We
found Greenland and reached Etah the
middle of April
Could Not Keep Tabs on Pole;
Peary Admits Possibilities
BATTLE HARBOR. Labrador. Septem-
Der 17-Commander Peary in an inter-
view aboard his ship admitted that a rival
expedition might reach the pole without
his knowledge. though he himself were in
the arctic at the time.
On the points in question, Peary said:
1T would be quite possible for DR..
Cooks party or any expedition to arrive
at the north pole by any one of a hum
dred routes and for no one to find a trace
Of it if our paths lay far apart
This must not be taken to mean that
Commander Peary comedies that DR.. Cook
reached the goal: merely that 1t would be
out his knowledge in case they travelled
by widely separated trails
Polar Commission to Decide.
To show that Peary reaffirms his claim
to the title of discoverer he went on:
Il am holding my proofs to submit them
to the international polar commission, and
thus controvert Dr. Cooks claims. I be-
lieve when 1 started NORTH Commander
Peary added. that l was a member of
this commission.
II understand that this commission is
the final authority on all polar matters.
Peary said he was sure Cook mad not
informed the commission of his intention
to try TO reach the pole
with the same equipment that we had
on this voyage and equally favorable con-
ditions l could make the pole two out of
three times" he said confidently in con-
clusiOn.
Capt. Bartlett, the skipper of the Roose-
welt, intends to go to Cornell University
to study civil engineering. He displayed
the flag of Newfoundland at 81 degrees
% minutes north latitude. and he enjoys
the distinction of having been nearer the
north pole than any white man of the
party except Commander Peary. He COM
manded Peary's last supporting party and
shook hands with the commander and
babe him goodbye and good luck 127
miles from the pole
1t is evident that Capt. Bartlett was
sorry to turn back. At Peary's request he
took and recorded the observation at 81
degrees 80 minutes, wrote his certificate
and made copies of both papers. He gave
one COPY to Commander Peary and re-
tanned the other. The captain has sent his
records and his diary to his mother, in
Newfoundland.
Wants to Visit Antarctic.
Capt. Bartlett would like to go to the
south pole.
Il believe he said yesterday. that the
application of Mr.. Peary+s methods would
produce the best results in the antarctic
In following the commander over the
ton Iod hi NIT n @
faith.
Our determination and our cry was, He
must get to the pole. and every man OF
us did his utmost to assist Mr.. Peary to
obtain the success which We believed he
was bound to achieve. Mr.. Peary filled
the members of his party with daring.
THE last observation. other than those
taken by the commander himself, was
made by me. Commander Peary admon-
ished me to be very careful.
Il could not realize that we were at last
so near the pole. l wrote the record OF
that observation with the closest atten-
ton.
After parting company with Mr.. Peary
did not Immediately turn back, but con.
tinued onward for six miles to allow fol-
the ice movement and to make sure that
really had obtained the British record.
Then with two Eskmos, one sledge and
eighteen dogs. turned my face south and
started on the homeward journey, sad al
able to go on with the commander. But
was in his hands, to go when and where
he directed.
THE return trip to Cape Columbia was
thrown to the rest of the pack. When the
whole party had reassembled we found
the Roosevelt in good condition and aver
aged six knots on the trip SOUTH
Could Not Reach Bottom.
Capt Bartlett made the interesting
statement that one of his soundings, well
on toward the north pole. disclosed a
depth of 1000 fathoms without bottom
At another point LOO fathoms were let
down and bottom was not reached. In
still another mud from the sea floor was
brought up at 1000 fathoms and will be
subjected to microscopic examination.
Asked at what farthest north he had
seen the Bible, Capt. Bartlett said that
there may have been a copy on the
Roosevelt, but divine services were not
held on board. No missionaries were
met among the north Greenland tribes,
who. he said. have never been Chris
tianiZed and never heard Of a Bible
Prof. Donald B. Mcmillan. whose feet
were badly frost-bitten and who reluct-
antly consented to be sent back to win
Prof. Mcmillan says there are wonderful
trout lakes in the north and musk oxen
in thousands. According to the natives,
they had shot musk oxen throughout the
winter, showing that they do not mi
crate.
Prof. Mcmillan gathered specimens of
bird life In greater variety and number
than any previous arctic expedition. Not
less than twenty-five different varieties
OF birds were seen north of the eighty
second parallel. He has already prepared
many specimens. among which are eggs
OF variety never before found
George Borup. the official photographer
of the expedition, has thousand mega
tives.
Canada Extends Congratulations.
The Canadian government steamer
Tyrian arrived here yesterday morning
from Sydney Capt. Dickson of the
Tyrian. in behalf Of his government con-
graduated Commander Peary OH his
reaching the pole, and extended to him
an invitation to return to Sydney on the
eminent.
Commander Peary thanked the Cana
dian officer for his governments good
wishes, and regretted his inability to ac-
cept the invitation, as he had decided to
return on the Roosevelt. following his in
variable custom Of bringing his own ship
into port The Roosevelt is being painted,
and it is thought that she will be ready
to start today for Sydney.
The Roosevelt reached Battle Harbor
with only ten tons Of coal in her bunkers
Sixty tons have been taken on here
Peary's Crew on Roosevelt
ID nIsA,,@4 H>>1. De- NIL