Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-09
At the Proper Time Shall Be Prepared to
 Make Convincing Statement
COOKS ANSWER TO COMMANDER PEARY
Concerning the Charge that the Brooklyn Doctor Took the Naval Officers Eskimos = The Eskimos are Nomads, Not the Property of Any Man-Cook in No Wise Disturbed by Being Called Imposter.

The lie was hurled today concerning the discovery of the north pole and the foundation laid for a controversy unparallaled in history. Commander Robert E. Peary is making uncertain progress southward off the coast of Labrador in his ship, the Roosevelt, but there came from him today a mes sage as direct as his homeward jour ney has been slow. It challenges the veracity of Dr. Frederick A. Cook of Brooklyn and further complicates a situation which the whole world is discussing,
 claims with the intirnation that he (Peary), and he alone, planted the American flag at the north pole on April s. 1909, and that pr. Cook, who asserts that he unfurled the flag at the pole on April 21, 1903 must substan tiate his claim
 pr. Cook Stands by His Guns.
 z At Copenhagen, Cook, shown his riv als statement tonight, stood by his guns, declined to enter into debate and calmly asserted that his records would sustain him To prove his right Of discovery before the entire world beyond a shadow of a doubt, he announced that he will despatch a ship to Greenland and bring to Amer lea his Eskimo companions. Then, with their testimony and his data, he declares that he will stand ready to face all detractors.
 Peary Homeward Bound.
 Tn the meantime Peary continues his foneward journey on the scared Roosevelt, and is tonight at Battle Harbor Labrador, still more than 400 miles from North Sydney. Cape Bre- ton, the objective of the homeward I,A of naII IIn Isle.
 Mrs. Cook in New York.
 Mrs. Cook is in New York tonight, and Mrs. Peary has left her home in Maine on her way to join her husband at North Sydney. Though pressed for a statement, Mrs Cook declined abso- lutely tonight to say anything con- cerning her husband.
 Peary's Statement Refiectins on Cook.
 Peary's statement. rehecting on pr. Cooks achievement came first to the Associated Press early this morning, and dated Indian Harbor. Labrador the point through which he first re- ported his success by wireless. It had probably been delayed in transmission and reads as follows:
 T have nailed the Stars and Stripes on to the north pole. This is authori- tative and d-correct.
 Cocks statement should not be talk en too seriously The two Eskimos who sccompanfed him say he went no distance north and not out of sight of land. Other members of the tribe cor roborate their story"
 Don't Let Cook Story Worry You"
 About the same time Mrs. Peary re- cefved the following message under the same date, both having been sent via Cape Ray. N. F.:
 Good morning. Delayed by gale. Don't let Cook story worry you. Have him nailed"
 The foregoing was signed simply Bert" an abbreviation of Robert, while the message to the Associated Press bore the single word "Peary" as its signature. To the Associated Press the commander hand sent the despatch, replying to an urgent request for an authoritative stat sment and some com ment concerning Dr. Cook. This re- quest had been sent to him immedi- ately after he had flashed news of his discovery from Indian Harbor on Mon day
 Believes Both Have Been Successful.
 While Peary's assertion of today is Of a nature that makes Dr. Cooks po- sition one of defense, the Brooklyn explorer yet has supporters both at home and abroad. |.
 Prof. William P. Brewer of Yale, honorary president for life of the Arc tic Club Of America, of which both Peary and Cook are members. assumes that both have been successful. He telegraphed to New York today as fol- lows:
 T believe that both Cook and Pea ry have reached the pole"
 Prompt Support of pr. Cook.
 Dw. Thomas s. Dedrick of Washing eoa, N. J., who was surgeon of the Peary expedition of 1S99-1902 promptly came to the support of Dr. Cook today. He said:
 "The charges (referring to Peary's statement of today) may lessen Dr. Cooks standing in popular estimation until his defense. can be heard but the scientific world will be affected only by scientific discrepancies. Dr. Cook will undoubtedly have scientific records and observations without Eskimo proof
 If Eskimo proof is needed there are enough admirerS of fair play in the world to send impartial interpreters to the tribe"
 Analyzing the Eskimo character Dr. Dedrick is inclined to think them un- with "a temperament which 1 would lead him. to agree for suavity's | sake and because of immediate benefit 1 with man on the spot having a. ship | loaded with what Is most dear to an Eskimo heart" at Battle Harborr Last Night. |
 With the Roosevelt at Battle Har- | bor tonight. Commander Peary should | reach Red Bay, about $50 miles down | the coast easily by tomorrow, where | he can put details of his expedition | on the wires.
 The progress of hls ship from In- | dian Harbor southward has been ex- tremely cratic. First delayed at In- 1 dian Harbor by rough weather anu i hampered in addition by lack of fuel. l the Roosevelt has literally crawled | homeward and news of her progress | has been meagre and at times unre liable, This is due to the Inadequate | facilities on, the Labrador coast.
 COOK TO BRING HIS EsklMos
 TO NEW YORK AS PROOF.