The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-12-23

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-Reaffirm-
ing his complete confidence in Or.
Cook, Rear Admiral w S. Schley, re-
tired, today called upon Commander
Peary to submit his proofs that he had
reached the north pole to some scien-
tific body other than the National
Geographic society.
This, the admiral declared, should
be done at once in the interests Of
justice and to establish beyond ques-
ton the claims of Peary. The admiral
believes that the same body which
threw out and repudiated Cooks data
should be permitted to pass upon the
data submitted by Peary to the geo
graphic society.
Danes Are Men to Examine Proofs.
1.-THE Danes are the best posted
body of men in the world on Arctic
matters" he said. THE consistory Of
the University of Copenhagen should
be given the opportunity to examine
the Peary proofs, for in that way they
would be submitted to the same test
that was applied to those of Cook.
The cOnsistory which was regarded by
the civilized world as more than
action in turning down the explorer
that it holds the scales of justice as
it sees them, evenly and honestly
Moreover, Admiral Schley believes
that the submission of the proofs to
Copenhagen should be insisted upon
by Peary, whatever the attitude of the
National Geographic society may be.
1t was suggested by the officer that
the society some time ago officially
had declared it's intention to let
scientific bodies of reputable standing
examine and test the Peary proofs
when they had been passed upon by
the society.
But the organization has not done
it, he continued. $50 far there has
been shown no disposition to carry
out it's avowed intentions, has there?"
Believes Both Reached Pole.
Admiral Schley declined to say of
what grounds he took exceptions to
the finding of the scientists of the
University of Copenhagen in regard to
i, Cooks claims He merely reaffirmed
his belief in the explorer, adding that
he believed also that Peary too, had
gained the top of the earth
Inc importance OF the aul0lfdl > US-.
mand is increased by the fact that he
has had wide experience in the far
north. In 1884 he was in command of
the Thetis expedition which resulted
in the rescue of Lieutenant Greedy and
his six men who had been cast away
at Cape Sabine and whom the civilized
world had practically given up for
lost For this rescue, Admiral Schley,
then captain in the service, was
awarded a gold watch and vote of
thanks by the Maryland legislature
and a medal of honor by the Massa-
chusetts Humane society
Shortly after his return from the
Thetis expedition, Captain ScAley puc-
lished book, "The rescue of Gree!y.
which recounts his struc gle in the
frozen region.
Members Of the National G9ogra phi c
society declined to discuss the sug-
gestion of the retired naval Cficer
The society is still snarting under
the somewhat curt reply made by the
University of Copenhagen to lis re-
Guest that a committee REPRESENTING
The society be permitted to be presen,
when DR. Cooks data was examined
While recognizing the complete rIg7i
of the Danish scientists to dacli"e such
| a request, American savants feel that
the Danes were needlessliy brusGue
in their declination.