The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-09-11
REFERS TO ESkIMOS
Says Cooks Story Should Not
Be Taken Too Seriously.
DOCTOR ANSWERS PEARY
Declares He Has Facts to Prove
& ssHe Reached Pole. k

New York. Sept 9.-The lie was
hurled concerning the discovery OF the
North Pole and the foundation laid for
controversy unparalleled In history.
Commander Robert E. Peary is making
uncertain progress southwark OF the
coast OF Labrador In his shin the
Roosevelt. bat there came from him 4
message as direct as his homeward
journey has been slow. II CHALLENGES
the veracity OF Or. Frederick A. Cook.
OF Brooklyn. and further complexities a
situation which the whole world is dis.
cussing-
Ia effect Peary discredits Cooks
claims with the intimation that he
| tPeary) and he alone planted the
American fsg al the North Pole on
April s. 1909. and that DR.. Cook. who
asserts that he unfurled the flag al
the pole on April p. 1908. must sub.
stanuste his claim.
Cook Says Records VIII Sustain Him.
At Copenhagen. Cook. shown his
rivals statement. stood BY his guns
declined TO enter into a debate and
calmly asserted that his records would
sustain him To prove his right OF dis
covery before the entire world. beyond
shadow OF doubt. he announced that
he Will dispatch a ship 70 Greenland
and bring 10 America his Eskimo com.
panions. Then. with their testimony
and his data. he declares that he will
stand ready TO face all detractors.
In the meantime Peary continues his
homeward journey on the ice-scarred
Roosevelt and Is az Battle Harbor
Labrador. still more than 200 miles
from North sydney. Cape Breton. the
objective point OF the homeward cruise
throkgh the Strait OF Belle Isle
MIS-. Cook Is Ia New York and Mrs
Peary has left her home in Maine on
her way to Join her husband al North
Sydney. Though pressed for a state
ment Mrs. Cook declined absolutely TO
say anything concerning her husband.
BY those who received word OF DIT
Cooks discovery with skepticism.
Commander Psary's challenge was re-
ceiyed with qualification: by those who
had been neutral u came as another
surprise in a series Of remarkable han
peningE. while TO DR. Cooks support
ers II was a signal for war. Cook. n
his plans do not miscArry. will sail for
The United States on Sunday next and
viii arrive here by Sept. 21 BY that
time Commander Peary will have
reached home, but no one has as yet
suggested the possibility OF a dramatic
meeting OF the two face to face.
Pesry's Challenge to Cook.
Peary's statement rejecting on DR..
Cooks achievement came first 10 the
Associated Press, dated Indian Har.
Dor. Labrador. the point through which
he first reported his success by wire
less. Il had probably been DELAYED in |
transmission and read as follows:
4 have nailed the Stars and Stripes |
10 the North Pole This f. authori !
tative and correct.
Cooks story should not be taken /
too seriously. The two Eskimos who |
him say he went no dis
lance north and not out OF sight Of
land. Other members OF the tribe cor.
roborate their story"
About the same time Mrs. Peary re-
ceived the following message under
the same date. both having been sent |
via Cape Ray. y. F.:
Good morning. Delayed by gale.
Don't let Cook story worry you. Have
him nailed"
While Peary's assertion is OF a ma
lure that makes DR.. Cooks position
one OF defense. the Brooklyn explorer
yet has supporters. both at home and |
abroad. Many OF the continental scien-
lists are marking time pending devel.
opments. while those who have formed
no decided opinions In this country
have assumed a similar stand.