Evening journal., 1909-12-10
Danes SkepficaI Abouffhe
Charges That ExpIor-
er's Observations Were
Faxed.

BY United Press Leased Special yyir.
,C.OPENHAGEN. Dec. 10.-Professor
hhs Stromgren of tho Chair of As
.rohomy in the University OF Copen-
haseh who will be president of the
committee that is to investigate the
data OF DR.. Frederick A. Cooks polar
explorations came out unequivocally
touaN IN expressing his skepticism OF
tne anldavits made by Captain A. w.
loose ana George TT. Dunkle, who say
my iahed the records that Cook is
70 present to the committee.
Professor Stromgren would not per-
nut hlmsef to be quoted directly but
he intimated that the charges In the
arldaNits fall of their own weight when
they assert that DIR. Cook showed his
ignorance of astronomical observations.
He said that before DR.. Cook sailed
from Copenhagen for America the ex-
plorer talked with numerous Scandi-
nsvian scientists about the very things
concerning which his accusers charge
him with being grossly ignorant and
thoroughly satisfied the scientists OF
his complete competency.
A perusal Of the summary Of ,ha
afiidavits, Stronngren says, shows that
DR.. Cook revealed full knowledge OF
the facts that Loose and Dunkie say
they supplied to him.
No man of DR.. Cooks general knowl-
edge, scientists here declare. could
have done the amount Of Arctic tray
cling that he has done without being
versed in the scientific phases of such
travel than is charged by the doctors
enemies.
The belief I'm general here that a
widespread and formidable conspiracy
exists among Dr. Cooks enemies to
discredit his achievements.
( In support of this, today's Politiken
says that an unnamed Greenlander.
who is known to be Knud Rasmussen,
received several letters, ostensibly from
the Peary Arctic Club. asking hiuf to
! denounce Cook. Rasmussen, who is
half Dane and half Esquimo, is him
self an Arctic explorer and a warm
supporter of Cook. The Politiken hints
that handsome financial reward was
held out for this Greenlander II he
would denounce Cook
II is pointed out here that many OF
those upon whom DR.. Cook had a
right TO rely for substantiation OF his
claims, both as TO the North Pole and
to Mount Mckinley, have been "tamp-
cred WITH" and the opinion is express
ed that fortune has already been
spent I'm manufacturing evidence
against Cook.
It is this belief in conspiracy to rob
Cook of his laurels that is causing the
Danish authorities to proceed with
such caution in their investigation OF
Cooks data. The personnel Of the
committee as now formed is Professor
Stromgren, president; Commodore
Gustav Holm. an explorer; Commodore
Abdjensen, director OF the School OF
Navigation; DIR. Pechali. director of the
Meteorological office; DIR. Ryder and
DR.. Ergstroem, both OF Lunds Observa-
tory. This committee will take every
precaution TO escape being either de-
ceived or involved in a scientific scan
dal.
4. Walter Lonsdale, private secretary 81
Dr. Cook, said to-day that Cook was
tricked into believing that Captain
Loose was an expert astronomer anc
submitted his records to him for No
other purpose than to get his expert
opinion. "Dr. Cook withdrew hi.
records within a few days" Lonsdale
! said, 'on account Of Loose's person.
ality and general incompetency.
saw DR.. Cooks records both befor,
and after Loose's examination, ant
will make oath that they were no
changed in the slightest particular a,
a result of this examination. Every
observation that Loose examined wa
dictated to him by DIR. Cook from tn,
Doctors original notes."
The Politiken to-day quotes Knut
Rasmussen as saying that Captain
! Loose's charges are foolish and child
ish."