Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-19
COOK ANXIOUS
TO GET HOME
TO NEW YORK
P0LE-FINDER NOT WORRIED
ABOUT PEARY
SAYS HE CAN REFuTE HIS RIVALS
CLAIMS
Naval Commander Leaves Battle Har-
Dor for Sydney, N. s.-Agaln Dis
cusses His Alleged Sue
cess In North
iBy Associated Press.l


ON BOARD THE OSCAR II, by
United Wireless and Marconi
~ Wireless Telegraph, via Halifax,
N. S., Sept. 1S.-Dr. Frederick A. Cook
evlnces the strongest desire to arrive
in New York as quickly as possible.
He is anxious to prove to America
the veracity of his claims, although
the charges brought against him by
Commander Peary and others do not
cause him the slightest concern. He
has a complete answer, he says, for
everything.
In reply to a question as to what
answer he would make to these
charges, DR.. Cook said this afternoon:
II will not enter into any controversy
until 1 know definitely what has been
brought against me and whence it en-
anates. Commander Peary's general
and articulate charges don't call for
any response from me until he gives
to the public as much as I have.
HE has given few details of his
journey, claiming that Le reached the
pole on certain date, without much
else.
His accusations are founded partly
on statements given him by an ig-
norant man, whom I purposely kept
from learning the facts. When 1 land
1 will examine the charges and reply
when the proper time comes.
Still Waits Proof
"Peary's declaration that he is the
only man who has been to the pole and
will prove it still waits proof. AS to
the affirmation that Peary has evil
dence to refute my statement that evil
dence is based on the word of Murphy,
the boatswain, who Is unable to read
or write.
II have already expressed my readi-
ness to place my observation before a
committee from scientific bodies, and
the verdict of that committee Will
Justify my story"
Dr. Cook has received dozens of dis
patches daily inviting him to ban
quets and other functions. He Is ready
to accept some of these invitations.
Many offers also have been made for
lectures and magazine articles and on
other propositions which DIR. Cook has
declined without exception.
Director General Cold of the steam
ship company, who has been his con-
stant companion on board the Oscar II,
when he heard of Commander Peary's
charges, said:
Like Drowning Man
"Peary is acting like a drowning
man clutching a straw"
DR., Cook was vlsibly moved by the
strains of the familiar melodies which
he had not heard for more than two
years. The skin suit in which the ex-
plorer returned from Upernavtk was
exhibited on the upper deck today and
aroused great interest
Dozens of cameras were turned upon
1t, and afterward on DR.. Cook, who de-
- IN
He has submitted to being photo
graphed with great good humor. AS
a matter of fact, the explorer has been
photographed in company virtually
with every passenger aboard at Vart-
Gus times.
DR.. Cook says he would like to avoid
any demonstration at landing. He de-
sires first of all to see his wife and
family.
The Oscar II was off Sable island at
7.3c this evening. When the report
was received this afternoon that Com
mander Peary was still at Battle Har-
Dor DIR. Cook said:
Wants to Meet Him
'I regret greatly that Commander
Peary is not returning at the same
time as I am. 1 should have liked to
meet him face to face on reaching New
York"
Referring to the final examination of
his records and instruments, Dr. Cook
said:
within two months at the outside,
probably earlier, my records and in
struments all will be ready for the Of
fetal tests.
'I shall then send them to Copenha-
gen university, which has the first
claim, as it was the first officially to
recognize my work in the discovery of
the pole.
"After that they will be at the dis
posal of any expert committee which
the scientific and geographical societies
care to form"
DR.. Cook said that he does not in
tend to resume practice as a physician.