The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-09-08


too seriously. The Eskimos who ac-
companied him say he went no dis
tance to the north and not out OF
sight of land. Other men of the
tribe corrohOrate their statement"
Commander Pearys dispatch today
from Indian Harbor to the Associated
Press gives his first expression con-
cerning the claim of DR.. Cook that he
reached the North Pole almost a year
prior to Peary, or on April 81, 1908.
Fearys latest telegram is hardly less
notable than his first announcement
which absorbed the attention of the
entire world, as 1t gives in concrete
iorm the issues already vaguely out
lined In scientific quarters on the
authentic Of Cooks announcement
and the question of priority in reach
ing the pole. At the same TIME 1t is
the drst expression of opinion from
anyone In a position to know the facts
OF the arctic region on which DR..
Cooks claims are based. It contains
q direct intimation that Cook never
reached the pole at all.
The dispatch from Commander
Peary was In response to an inquiry
sent by wireless to him at Indian
Harbor, Immediately following his
announcement. The first message
from Peary received by the Associ-
ated Press at.4l2:S9 p. m. last Mon
day, came with such startling sud-
.deness that the most. urgent meas
ures were Immediately made to con-
firm its absolute authenticity. This
was quickly done and the message
traced to its source and verified.
At the same time an urgent dis
patch was Immediately sent to Com
mander Peary by cable to Halifax
and thence by land lines and wireless
to Indian Harbor, asking him for ad-
ditional particulars and corroborative
details and informing him that DR.,
Cook had arrived at Copenhagen,
claiming to have reached the pole on
April 21, 1908.
This dispatch to Peary was sent
within few minutes Of the receipt
of Peary's first cablegram announc-
ing bis achievement, and it was evi-
IDENTIFY the first word the explorer
received on coming within the range
OF civilization that DR.. Cook had al
ready set up the claim of discovering
the pole. Commander Peary's reply
therefore embodies his views on first
hearing the news that his announce
ment of the discovery Of the pole was
disputed by Cook.
The attention of Europe and Ameri-
ca continue to be centered on the
announcement Of the two North Pole
explorers. DR.. Cooks lecture at Copen-
hagen last night when he had ample
opportunity to substantiate his claims
was received there without indications
that It was accepted as conclusive and
this view is again reflected today in
the increasing skepticism reported
from the foreign capitals. Comman-
der Peary's ship, the Roosevelt, sailed
from Indian Harbor at noon today for
Battle Harbor, Labrador, where 1t is
expected tomorrow, whence It, pro-
ceeds to North Sydney.
Greedy Not Skeptical
Center Convey, N. H., Sept. 8-Ma-
jor General A. w. Greedy. u. 8. A.
retired, who has participated in polar
expeditions, said today:
The country should be proud to
have it's national Labor day this year
made notable by the news that sec
ond American has reached the north
pole. Peary's magnificent polar wor!,
has earned the admiration Of the
world and although the honors of the
'farthest north were wrested from
him, 1t was by another American
whose record Peary now equals
Priority properly gives distinctive
honor to DR.. Cook, but other of high
er Importance and value is the spirit.
of endeavor to the accomplishment
of feat that confers credit on the
nation by which both men were an.
mated"
Amundsen's Opinion
Christiania, Sept. captain Roald
Amundsen, the discoverer Of the
northwest passage In an interview to.
day said:
''It is quite evident that Peary dis
covered no trace Of Cook in the con-
tinuatly drifting ice. Peary probably
as he planned, made his dash from q
more eastern point than DR.. Cook
but many circumstances may have
arisen to cause q change
do you think that Peary obtain
ed more valuable scientific results
than Cook?" Captain Amundsen was
asked and he replied: Probably not
They were equally equipped with on
y absolutely necessary instruments
Geographically. their achievemen nts
40 Of great importance and lit ID