Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-09-16


Pole. Others side with Peary. They !
End flaws in Cooks story and sre quite
ready to support Peary in his denuncia-
ton of an imposture which, if it is that,
robs Peary Of the fruit of lifetime's hard
struggle. But the great majority are still
in doubt whom to believe and await
further light before forming opinions not
subject to change. OF this majority.
incline toward Cook. They expect and
hope that Developments will establish his
claim. 1t is not out Of prejudice against
Pesry that this is SO, but that justice may
prevail. Furthermore, it would Re
source Of shame to every America to see
a fellow countryman branded as a liar
aud sham after be had received the favor
OF sovereigns and savants. Not that
there is disposition to shield him in in
fanny on that account, but because they
have pride in manhood itself, as exeinpli-
fed by those who go forth to do great
deeds in the name OF America.
DR.. Cooks story, as he told it, was of
such a nature as to leave a measure OF
doubt in every mans mind. Unlike
Columbus, when be found the New
World, be hadn't ship load OF compan-
ions to return with hin ana verify his
tale. Nor did he bring back a chip of
the North Pole to prove he had been
/ ua srF
with only two companions, and those
we're Esquimaux, whose evidence on
subject Of pure science would not amount
to great deal. He came back and re-
ported that he had reached the Pole. He
brought no evidence, save the stories Of
the two Esquimaux, bis own notes made
on the journey aud certain solar obserya-
tions taken en- route. DIR. Cook was a
long time getting out OF the Arctic region
and back 70 civilization, and many still
wonder where he passed almost year
and half that has since elapsed. lie
landed in Denmark, after a brief an
nouncement Of the discovery bad proceed
ed him. Hefe he was received enthusi-
astieally. The Danes sre a ccol people.
not likely to be swept OF their feet by a
passing excitement They have been
pioneers in the Northern seas for genera
tions. They own Greenland and Iceland.
u would not be easy to gull the Danes
They looked up pr. Cocks claim through
their own sources III the region from
which he came. They questioned him.
Their men Of science, professors in Co
penhagen university ana others, investi-
gated Cook and subjected him and his
story to the search-light. He stood the
test. They approved him and set their
seal upon him As genuine. The king
feted him. Copenhagen university non
ored him with a degree. He left for
home acclaimed as the actual discoverer
Of the Pole.
Doubtless DIR. Cook has profited thus
far by the possession OF an admirable per
sonality and q demeanor that has gone
tar toward establishing him in con6-
dence. He acts the part taken. There is
not trace Of the impostor about him.
Either he is genuine, or the most collos.
sal fraud in all history. And his past
record does not support the latter idea.
He is well known and credited among
those engaged in similar work, and most
Of his associates regard him as a man
Of honor whose unsupported word they
would believe.
I Now comes Commander Peary, who foi
over twenty years has been seeking the
, Pole, with a report that almost a year lat
er than Cook he reached the Pole, quick.
" followed by the declaration that Cook
did not precede him there, has never been
there, and he has evidence to prove it
, He alleges that the two Esquimaux with
Cook say Cook never went out Of sight Of
and fakir. Pesry's story OF his own triI
to the Pole discloses the fact that h,
] took no white man with him, only one
t Esquimau, through to the Pole, anc
E therefore he has little more direct evi
( dence than Cook. He reports the SANE
: kind Of country about the Pole that Cook
: did-a sea covered everywhere with ice
] He went on dog sledges as Cook did, and
! made much faster time than Cook re
/ ports, though this was at first considered
weak point in Cooks story. That h,
! found no trace OF Cook there is not al
] all remarkable, for Cook left little tC
mark his visit and Peary was not look
< ing fer that little. A years movement o.
the ice foe would account for the absence
of Cooks marks. Indeed, it is unlikely
that they were on the very same spot
measured in feet and inches.
There is general acceptance Of Pesry'I
. discovery. Cook himself believes it
. The question is about Cooks. Yet al
! that has actually come to light supports