Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-12-23

The admiral believes that the same
body which threw out and repudiatec
Cooks data should be permitted e
pass upon the data submitted by Pcary
to the Geographic society.
The Danes are the best posted body
of men in the world on arctic matters
he said. "Thc conslstory OF the Uni
versIty OF Copenhagen should be given
| the opportunity to examine the Peary
| proofs. Tor in that way they would be
submitted to the same test that was
| applied to those OF Cook. The consis-
| tory which was regarded by the civ
| ilizcd worId as more friendly TO Dr.
| Cook, showed by Its action In turning
| down the explorer that 1t holds the
| scales OF justice as II sees them. even
| ly and honestly"
Moreover. Admiral Schlcy believes
| that the submission OF the proofs 10
Copenhagen should be insisted upon by
Pcary, whatever the attitude of the
National Geographic society may be.
1t was suggested to the officer that the
society some time ago officially declar-
ed It's intention to let scientific bodies
of reputable standing examine and test
the Peary proofs when they had been
passed upon by the society.
But the organization has not done
has been shown no disposition to carry
out its avowed Intentions. has there 2"
Admiral Schley declined 10 say on
what grounds he took exceptions To
the finding of the scientists OF the UNI
versity OF Copenhagen In regard to
Cooks claims, He merely reafiirmed
his belief in the explorer adding that
he believed also that Peay, too. had
gained the top of the earth.
The Importance OF the admirals de-
mand is increased by the fact that he
has had wide experience in the far
north In 1881 he was in command OF
the Thctis expedition which resulted In
the reSuce of Lieut.. Greeley and six
men who had been cast away at Cape
Sabine, and whom the civilized world
had practically given up for lost. For
his rescue Admiral Schley. then cap
tain in the service. was awarded gold
watch and a vote of thanks by the
Maryland legislature. and medal OF
honor by the Massachusetts, Humane
society.
Shortly after his return from the
Thetis expedition. Capt. Schlcy pub
llshed a book. The Rescue of Greeley"
which recounts his struggle in the
frozen region.
Members of the National Geographic
society declined to discuss the suggcs-
ton OF the retired naval officer. The
curt reply made by the Uni
versity OF Copenhagen to its request
that a committee representing the So
ciety be permitted to be present when
DIR. Cooks data were examined. While
the right of the Danish sci
cntists to decline such n request, Amer
lean savants feel that the Danes were
needlcssIy brusque in their declnation. |
PEARY SAYS NOTHING.
New York, Dec. '22.-'I have no COM
ment to make on Admiral Schley's |
This was the brief written statement |
sent out by Commander Peary tonight |
from the banquet hall at the Waldorf
Astorin, where he was a guest of the I
New England society.
NANSDN'S OPINION.
Christiania, Dec. 22.-Fridkthof Nan
sen. the Norwegian arctic explorer, to-
lay broke his long silence and talked
IF the Peary-Cook controversy.
1T is my opinion, he said. that Cook
S no longer interesting. He is practi-
ally dead man and ought to vanish
rom the consideration of tho world. 1
never trusted him, for the first re-
1ort he made did not inspire conf
lence. especially his statements con-
.elning the distance OF IA seconds from