Evening star., 1909-09-03
United States Indifferent
to Ownership of New Land

1t has not been established that the
land in the neighborhood of the pole Is
a continuation of Canada
Some scientists hold that it must be
continuation of Greenland. In that
event Denmark could claim control
over it.
the United States cannot claim control
because Dr. Cook was in no sense an
agent Of this government.
State Department officials are of the
opinion that it is of little consequence
to the United States what lands DIR. Cook
has discovered on his way to the north
pole so far as actual territorial posses
sion is concerned.
1t is recalled by the department officials
that ever since 1923 American explorers
in botn the arctic and antarctic have dis
covered vast areas of land to which no
claims were ever made.
Admiral Wilkes discovered in the ant
arctic a territory Of more than hundred
thousand square miles in area.
DR.. Kane made large discoveries in the
arctic. but no effort has ever been made
by the United States to assert its right
to them.
Gen Greely some years ago located
lands which never before We're known to
exist. as also have other explorers.
No Claim Over Waste Lands.
In fact, many of the worlds great nav
igators have, from time to time made
discoveries to which no claim was ever
made. The principal reason for this.
however, is said to be that these lands
in every instance were almost inaccessible
and of absolutely no value to any one.
The Islands of Spitzbergen, discovered
| many years ago, are still without rec
r<rr, 1nd m 10
islands are designated as belonging TO
| Russia, but her claim, if ever asserted,
| has never been recognized. and for many
years 1t was designated on the maps as
not only accessible, but have developed
| some thriving industries Only within
| the last few years has any effort been
made to exercise over them any jurisdic-
| tion or authority.
Sovereignty May Be Fixed.
Recently, however, conference has
| been suggested of representatives of coun-
| tries having interests in them to provide
| some sort of an administration for their
government. The United States probably
| will be represented in that conference by
| reason of the fact that the only import
| ant coal .n!.c: in the territory are oper-
ated by Americans.
Modern map makers. 1t is said, usually
| give title to these faraway lands to the
| nations by whom they were discovered.
| AS a matter of fact, only in the rarest
| instances have claims to them been as
serted and recognized.
| As to the particular territory which DR..
| Cook is said to have discovered, the
statement was made today that it was
| quite probable that these lands would be
| found to be an extension of the MAIN
| land of Greenland, and, IL so, they belong
| to Denmark. AT any rate 1t is extremely
| improbable, it is said, that the United
| States would attempt to assert sovereign
| ty over them.
By Right of Discovery.
1 Dr. Hannis Taylor, special counsel of
| the Spanish treaty claims commission.
recognized as an authority on interna-
tional law. says that this government
may well claim ownership to the north
pole by right Of discovery. AS the pole
| seems to be a permanent Ice field. DIR.
| Taylor thinks it might be possible to
| consider II as land instead of as the
| high seas.
Department officials say that, for sew
eral centuries. it has been well estab-
| lished principle of international law that
| the discovery of new land gives right OF
possession, but that subsequent settle
| ment Is necessary to retain the title. II
| is also well established that the high