The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-07
Thousands Tg to See the k pIorer But He Dodges
 Most of Them
TWO GOLD MEDALS WILL
 BE GIVEN ID AMERICAN
Longer Cook Stays in Copenhagen the Better His Standing is Established and He Stands Test of all
 the Questions Asked.

Copenhagen September 6.--Dr. Freder- ick A. Cook today spent the nearest ap- proach to quiet day that he is likely to experience In Copenhagen. cores pondent saw him in his apartments at the Phoenix hotel which are gaiy be- decked with flowers and flags. The ex- plorer was in the hands of the barber. He was trying to talk and read a tel egram at the same time. Outside the door a German count and the presi- dent of a geographical society waited for an audience. Many ladies had comfort ably ensconced themselves in the halls and about the stairway. A secretary from the American legation jumped con stantly to answer telephone calls and in the intervals attempted to cope with a mail bigger than that of presidential candidates.
 In the meantime a string of messen- gers came popping in with cards.
 Are you getting tired of this?" the correspondent inquired.
 "No man could honestly say that he was tired of such attentions after such a short experience, Dr. Cook replied. scanning a note from the German min ister. but I do feel that I am get ting more attention than my share. Now what shall I do about this,' he said, picking up an invitation from Prince Adolfe Fredericke of Mecklenburg- Schwerin to address the Berlin Colonial society q should like to do that, of course, but I want to get to America" q suspect there are few people there who would like to see you," was sug- gested
 Word from Friend.
 q know of three," said pr. Cook, smil- ing. Then the telephone bell rang and 1t was a message from Mrs. Rasmussen, the wife of the explorer, asking when she could come and see her husband 8 friend.
 If any evidence is needed to estab- fish Denmarks valuation of Dr. Cook it can be found in the fact that he is to receive the two highest possible official tokens within it's gift. The King of Denmark, will give him the gold medal of merit, with the crown on it, which only three other explorers have ever received. and the geographical so- ciety will bestow upon him its gold medal which has been given to four other trav- elers only. Nansen, Captann Scott, Hedin and Sverdrup.
 The geographical society of Denmark numbers among its members more ex- perts in arctic research than any body in the world. That branch of geographic science is its speciality.
 Deliberate Honor.
 It's decision to extend the honor to Dr. Cook, like the governments to give him an official welcome was not formed without deliberation The rector of the University of Copenhagen, who is one of the leading lights of the society and a man of profound learning, interviewed Dr. Cook for an hour. He questioned the explorer minutely and on coming out of the legation expressed his be- lief in the truth of the explorers state q ments.
 The longer Dr. Cook remains in Cop enhagen and the more people see him. the more completely Is his standing es- tablshed. The correspondent of the As sociated Press has heard him cross- examined by competent questoners hait a dozen times. His replies were so quick, coherent and detailed that if he Is
  history The only time the explorer seemed to display impatience was when speaking of one of his critics he said quickly:
 ..He is an old man; he apparently for got that my expedition began about where his ended"
 Premium on Seats.
 The demand for admission to Dr. Cook's lecture before the Geographical society tomorrow and to the banquet afterward has placed high premium on the seats The fortunate ones who pos sessed tickets for the banquet Saturday last received bids as high as $2o0 for single admission card The Geograph- ical society banquet is limited to 15o per sons and almost every one of position in Copenhagen is using his utmost in huence to be included among the elect
 Cook souvenirs fill the shop windows and all the local newspapers are featur- ing pictures showing the explorer before and after his session with the barbers and tailors on Saturday. All the mem bers of the royal family requested auto graphed portraits, which Dr. Maurice K. Egan the American minister, took to them today. The explorer had lunch with the American minister at the Bris- tol hotel, but their wish to spend a ouiet hour together was frustrated be- cause of the persistent approaches of autograph stalkers, mostly English tour ists. one of the women insisted upon knowing exactly what Dr. Cook was eating, and then jotted down the menu carefully.
 On Thursday Dr. Cook and MT. Egan vii, spend the day as the guests of the premier. Count Holstein Ledrebord, at the historic castle of Rockilde. few ,niles from the city. This evening Dr. yT,ook looked in for half an hour at q supper which the local newspaper men ~ova to tha visiting correspondents.