New-York tribune., 1909-09-06
DR.. COOK GUEST OF KING
D1NISH MONARCH P4YS
HIN SIGNAL HONOR.
EFplOrcr 1gain Frankly Anszrers
Al Questions Put to HIM by Sci
cRfisfs and LagmcR.

hagen
The King summoned Or. Cook TO audience
yesterday as a formal courtesy They engaged
in an hours talk. and. while these royal audi
ences cannot. according TO etiquette. be minute
ly described by the members Of the court. IT
was said that DIR. Cook made such an impress
sion upon the King that his majesty in,medi-
ately Instructed the court chamberlain to sum-
mon the explorer have dinner with him to-
night
The King invited DR.. Cook to meet him yester-
day only after the government had made the
closest possible investigation of the merits Of
his story. All the Danish explorers were asked
to give their opinions OF DR.. Cooks claims be-
fore the audience granted. and their verdict
was unanimously in his favor
The dinner tonight was entirely the result of
the Kings personal opinion regarding the ex-
porer who had the seat on the Kings right an
honor which Danes cannot remember having
been accorded any other private person.
Dr. Cook was greatly pleased to-day by the re-
ceipt of telegram from President TAFT In
which the President extended his congratuIa-
tions on the announcement that DR.. Cook
had reached the pole.
BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS
The doctor had to undergo again to-day .
bombardment of questions intended TO test tbs
accuracy OF his statements
Although it was after midnight when he
reached his. hotel at the end Of his first days
experience, he sat up for two hours engaged in
correspondence and In conversation with Com
modore Novgaard and Professor Olufsen sec
retary of the Geographical Society.
The explorer about before O'Clock this
morning reading translations OF the comments
in the Danish newspapers. Later he received
Commodore Sverdrup and Count Harald Moltke
member OF the NyIius Erichsen expedition
VII" will probably illustrate Dr. Cooks book
one Of the most exacting periods OF the day
was an interview with Professor Stron1berg a
leading scandinavian astronomer, who says that
when he Is permitted 20 examine DR.. Cooks OBJ
servations he can decide within half day
whether the explorer has been at the pole.
Several other prominent Arctic explorers wers
closeted with Dr. Cook during the day. When
they came out they appeared thoroughly
vinced of his absolute good faith
After luncheon ~ the American Legation Ir
Cook disappeared from pubic view for hour.
during which time ne sat for photographers
ROYALTY CURIOUS.
Al the dinner at the royal castle at Char
lottenlund great enthusiasm vas shoun The
King and every member of the royal family we're
present Maurice ?. Egan. the American Min
lister, and several other guests completed the
party
After the dinner there was a rush to question
DIR. Cook He gave succinct recital OF his adj
ventures, whose graphic depletion gained much
from the calm and candid attitude OF the speak
er. One after another of the royal persouasss
piled him with questions and then waited eager
ly while the explorer answered always without
hesitation.
Prince Waldernar, brother OF the King who is
a sailor. was extremely interested IN the cur
rents about the pole and the condition Of the tee
Prince and Princess George OF Greece also made
pertinent inquiries.
The King and Queen were so interested in the
story OF the poles discovery that they remained
in the drawing room much later than is their
custom AS Dr. Cook retired with Minister
Egan he was the centre OF congratulstcry
group. II was apparent that the royal family
has implicit faith in him
When he returned 10 his rooms at the hotel
DR.. Cook took up the correspondence which
he had been engaged, writing until late hour
1t has been decided that after his visit TO Brls-
sells he will deliver lecture at Paris. He will
then return TO Copenhagen and sail from here
for New York.
DR. COOKS MODESTY.
one of the most interesting features OF Dr.
Cooks present position is that he seems uncon-
scious of his prominence in the world to-day
Minister Egan has shielded him carefully AZ
possible. While he is theoretically living as the
governments guest at hotel he is practically
living at the legation. so that he may be kept
away from the pressure OF the crowds. which
are still surrounding the hotel Dr. Cook thinks
that he will be able get back to New York
quietly so that he may revise his scientific rec
ords before he gives them 10 the world
At the American Embassy to-day the explorer
escaped a few minutes from the absorbing topic
Of the Arctic and asked questions. which 20 the
listeners appeared amusing, about what had
been going on. What this remarkable play.
The Merry Widow about which he had heard
from the Danes in Greenland What was Taft's
ma ajority? and similar questions When told Of
Lieutenant Shackleton's expedition TO the South
Pole he asked eagerly for details. He was en-
thusastic over the English explorers achieve
ments-
Two of the most prominent literary men OF
Denmark George Brandes and Baron Rosen-
crantz. came in To shake hands. and throughout
the course of the day Dr. Cook received notable
people In all walks Of life.
\ reception by the American Minister to the
diplomats TO meet Dr. Cook has been arranged
for Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Cook wiz also re-
ceive Danish University delegates who wish 70
pay their respects and he will make an address
before the Geographical Society.
All the Danish newspapers since the first day
have accepted DR. Cooks statements without
question. Doubt was expressed OF his claims be
fore he arrived but one of the strongest factors
in his favor is DR. Cooks personality and
the absolute freedom and candor with which he
answers all questions.
To obviate the possible loss by shipwrecL OF