The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-03
Dr. Cook Waves His Hand To Minister Egan day
fcontinued from First Page,


 Continued from First I3age.)
 He does not know what it means to quit. His mastery of details and his strength of purpose are wonderful
 Some doubting Thonases say pr. Cook would not have known when he was at the north pole when he got there. pr. Cook is an expert with scientific instruments. He knew when he got to the pole and you can depend upon it that he got there.''
 Francke then told of how he return ed to winter headquarters at Cooks Dr. Cook made for the pole trip, Francke said Dr. Cook built his sleds himself of wood he carried for the purpose. They were of pr. Cooks, own design. They were 12 feet long. 8 feet wide and evenly balanced. Dr. Cook worked for weeks on those
 ttDr. Cook also had the very best dogs in the polar region said Francke. 'He was very friendly with the natives and had their assistance at tea time every day for tea. In stead of refusing them Dr. Cook sup piled them and they would do any thing in the world for him.
 "The start was made from AnnootOk with Il sleds and 8 Eskinos Those dogs could keep up 30 er 40 miles a day under ordinary circumstances. Once Dr. Cook carried them 60 miles in one day. The day Dr. Cook ordered me to return he said: 'Francke I am going to take a desperate chance and I have decided it will be impossible for you to go with me. I am willing to risk my life for this idea and I hope to win. I have reason to believe I will win but if do not. shall be alone.'
 From that day I have never doubt ed that he would succeed It is ridi- culous to say Dr. Cook did not know where he was when he reached the 0o1o 1~,,% ,I,< ], was by the position of the sun and moon. But Dr. Cook had the experi- ence of a seaman He had the finest sextant money could buy. He had several compasses. an arctical hore- scope, a barometer, a thermometer and all the entries which he tore away from a book I had with me. I have seen him take observations many times.''
 It was announced to-day that Mrs Cook. wife of the explorer and her two children. Ruth and Helen, left South Harpswell. Maine. where they spent the summer. to-day. for a short visit to Portland. after which. they will re- turn secretly to New York to await the advent there of pr. Cook.
 U. s. MAY CLAIM OWNERSHIP. Washington, Sept. 3.-In the opinion of Dr. Hannis Taylor, one of the best known authorities in the United States on international law, the United States may now lay claim to the ownership of the North Pole by the right of dis covery. Although he admits that there is no precedent which would fur nish a guide in the present instance, he believes that the same principles which are regarded in the discovery of land gives right of possession, is well established. Asked whether the Uni- ted States could claim jurisdiction of the land claimed to have been discov- cred by Dr. Cook in the vicinity of the pole, Assistant Secretary of State Ade said today the question was one that would undoubtedly come up later be- fore the law officers of the depart ment. "Of course,' said he, "any country to which there is no prior claim on the part of any other nation would be unquestionably considered to | belong to that country whose citizens discovered it. It is a question, how ever, whether the United States will wish to claim that region of snow and | ice around the po1e.''
 | London, Sept 3.-"We believe him but we want to see the proof" This
 is practically the attitude today of 8
 majority of English scientific men re-
 garding Dr. Frederick A. Cooks dis
 covery of the North Pole. As the
 story of the discovery is studied there
 is increasing regret expressed that the
 narrative, does not indicate that Dr l Cook has positive proof of his claims. It is conceded that all this doubt is | likely to be removed the moment pr l Cook reaches Copenhagen, and English lgeographers and scientists are hoping that the explorers interview will 4e- move their last doubts
 Much of the English skepticism is