Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-27
MESSAGE FROM
WHITNEYSHOWS
RIVALS TACTICS
ALLEGED POLE DISc0VERER
IS EXPOSED
REFUSED TO LET COOKS REC.
oRDs ABOARD SHIP
Famous Hunter Wires to Explorer in
New York of Treatment Re-
ceived from Naval
Commander
[By Associated Press.1


Robert E. Peary refused abso-
- lutely to allow any of the records
or instruments of DIR. Frederick A
Cook to be brought aboard the steamer
Roosevelt and was thus instrumental
in causing these records to remain in
cache at Etah, Greenland. accord
ing to Harry Whitney, the New Haven
sportsman, In a dispatch received in
this city by DR.. Cook today.
The message, which came as a re-
sponse to one sent by DIR. Cook, fol-
lows:
"STRATHCONA, via Indian Harbor
and Cape Ray, n. f., Sept. 25
''Dr. F. A. Cook, Waldorf-Astoria, New
York-Started for home Roosevelt.
Nothing arrived for me- Peary would
allow nothing belonging to you on
board. Said to leave everything in
cache at Etah.
MET Capt Sam, North Star. Did not
go back after going schooner bound st.
Johns. Take steamer home Hope you
well. See you soon. Explain all. Good
shooting. HARRY WHITNEY"
DR.. Cook was questioned today as to
his view on the situation created by
the action ascribed to Commander
Peary, but he declined to say anything
derogatory of his rival.
1t may be that the instruments will
arrive this year, after all,' he said
land as for the records and observa-
tions, their non-arrival here makes no
difference whatever, as L have COM
pleted duplicates so that there will be
no delay in compiling my story with
all its Details"
Cook Not Perturbed
Dr. Cook did not appear to be great
ly perturbed by the news he had re-
ceived from Mr.. Whitney. He hopes
to see him in very short time and
hear a complete explanation of the oc-
currence at Etah.
Dr. Cook denied the report that he
was to bring suit for slander against
Peary.
There is no truth in the report" he
said. II have no intention of bringing
suit. Naturally 1 am taking measures
to have everything in order in case of
necessity, but L have never even
thought of filing suit, and l wish to
contradict such reports at once"
If they are still at Etah DIR. Cooks
instruments may not arrive in New
York until the spring months of 1910
There is a possibility, however, of
their reaching here this year, as yes
sci may have touched at Etah after
the Roosevelt left there.
L Sudll Wdll5 COuIlHQe0 Ut. COOK.
81 think that Mr. Whitney knew what
he had in his possession. 1t would be
very difficult to say what effect the
occurrence will have. The absence of
the records and instruments will, how
ever, not affect the ultimate result a
particle But it would be very desir-
able to have the instruments here, that
is certain.
Knew Importance
"Mr. Whitney certainly knew that
the effects left with him were impor-
tant. He was compelled to tell Mr..
Peary that he had my things with him.
He is too honest to suppress such in
formation.
81 had not spoken to Mr.. Whitney Of
any estrangement between Mr.. Peary
and myself. He had believed that a
ship would come for him from the
American side and the things would
go along with 1t.
''The leaving of the instruments may
cause delay in sending my records to
Copenhagen, but will not affect the
people who are to make the final in
Vestigations. There were a few or
iginals among the documents left with
Mr. Whitney, but it will not make any
difference if they are never found again.
THE instruments are not lost. The
Eskimos know where they are. They
will be looked after. Mr.. Whitney has
sent no word except that they are at
Etah.
"As to the question of proof, that is
the same whether the observations ara
made by one person or by five or more.
'T am sure Peary had no means Of
getting any news of me since the mid
die of April, but he knew that 1 had
gone south.
''My instruments were packed sepa-
rately in several boxes, and these were
put into a packing case. They could
not be injured by falls or rough hand
ling.
Leaves It to Experts
Regarding the possibility that
man could go within 200 or 300 miles OF
the pole and think that he had got
there, leave that to the scientists.
when Mr. Whitney met me on my
arrival at Etah, the first thing was:
We'll, I have been here in a lucky
year.
TT is impossible to send anyone to
Etah to fetch the instruments and rec
ords at this time of the year, as naVi-
cation Is closed, and If it We're open a
ship would take four or five weeks to
go there.
"Mr. Whitney has said all that he
pedition. The remark that has been
made that 1 copied sledges is nonsen-
sical
"Peary used the exact prototype Of
the Eskimo sledge. I never copied any
thing. I have not seen him for over
tow years, so I could not have copied
his ideas.
'I have entered into no arrangement
to meet>Mr. Peary at any time