New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-13

welcome news. They say that I-rook-a-shoo
and A-pel-lah are both young, probably i'm
questionable. and likely TO have been inspired
with loyalty 10 DR.. Cook during the months in
which they were alone with him. Thus, they
say, the Esquimaus might be exp ted con-
sistently TO deny 10 the Peary party that they
had been far north.
As to the elements Of Esquimau character
which might bear upon the credibility of the
story as told to Commander Peary and his com
panions, the following passages We're quoted
from Nansen's book. "Esquirnau Life:
The Greenlander is of all Gods creatures.
gifted with the best disposition. Good humor.
peaCeableness and avenness Of temper are
among the most prominent features Of his char
acter. He Is eager 10 stand on as good loot
ing possible with his fellow men, and there
fore Tefrains from offending them He Is very
loath 10 contradict another. even should ne oe
saying what he knows 10 be false; should ne
DO So he takes care 10 word his renonstrance
in the midesr possible form.
one Of the most prominent and attractive
traits IN the Esquimau's moral character IS
his integrity If some Europeans have denied
him This virtue, il can only be because these
gentlemen have not taken the trouble to place
themselves IN sympathy with his modes Of
thought and 70 realize what he regards as dis
honora be.
Nansen also explains that while strictly con
scientious il dealing with others Of MS own
rare. tho Esquinau is often INSCRIPTIONS in
emphasizes with regard rather 70 property
rights than 70 truthfuIness
DOUBT ESQCIAIAU'S ABILITY
The Cook supporters called attention to the
intricate route which the Esquimaus indicated
on the chart. expressing doubt that men Of
the Esquimaus' intelligence could be expected
70 follow course exactly upon a map. They
said too that the route from Amund Ringnes
Land 10 Jones Sound rs described by the Esaui-
rnaus was entirely different from that described
by Dr. Cook. Even if Dr. Cooks story Of his
polar dash were false. they said he would not
be expected 10 give an incorrect report Of his
travels after he returned to regions where his
trail might be followed and his camping places
visited for veriication Of his story
In reply to this the Peary supporters said
that DR.. Cook naturally would wish his route
southwark supposed 10 lie 10 the west Of that
which the Esquimaus described. He said in
his narrative that he was pushing for Lancaster
Sound. where he hoped to find a whaling ship
The route which he gave was the most direct
one TO reach Lancaster Sound. If he had.
the Esquinlaus say, reached the southern point
Of Heiberg Land. and pushed thence south
ward he would have been within easy reaching
distance Of his caches and the trail by which
he had gone west, and might have returned to
Etah in the early summer Of 1905. He wished
however. the Peary supporters said to spend
the winter away from Etah in order TO avoid
Commander Peary, and 10 prepare his account
Of the journey
Those OF the Cook faction said Commander
Peary had begged the whole question OF the
polar dash when he said: The answers OF the
F,sorfnlau bows to Commander Peary's ques-
lions showing that they killed no game made
no caches. lost no dogs and returned 10 lahu
with loaded sledges. make their attainment OF
the mole on the trip north from Cape Thomas
Hubbard physical and mathematical lmpossl-
bfitv. as il would have demanded the sub
sistence Of three men and over twenty dogs
during a Journey of 1910 geographical miles
on less than two sedge loads OF supplies This
is lust what DR. Cook says he did, and or the
tmpossibllity OF this feat Commander FeaIy
offers no demonstration
TWO STORIES FROM EsQUIMAUS-
Cook sympathizers also found comfort in the
fact that a Danish ship sent north to exam
inc the Esquimaus during last summer. before
Commander Peary had returned 10 Etah
Daaqaard Jensen. inspector of Greenland. or
dared the expedition and tIe ship returned
sf,ar stay Of two weeks. the captain and crew
saving that the Esqumaus fully confirmed Dr.
6,ool,,s story It was upon this confirmatory
,esti,oonv that the Danish government and ex-
nlorers relied when they officially recognized DR.
Cook as tie discoveTer Of the pole DF' COOK .