New-York tribune., 1909-09-09
D0UBTING DIR. COOK
COMMENT IN CAPITALS.
Berlin Geographer, Ho5ceuer, Sap
pOrts His Contention.


London, Sept. s.-The London morning papers APP
parently consider that the polar controversy has
passed the stage where serious comment will serve
any useful purpose. All the statements from either
side tending 10 throw light the disputed points
are printed in full but most of the papers either
refrain from making editorial comment or confne
themselves few semi-humorOus remarks.
'aThe Daily News points out the complete un-
trustworthiness of evidence from Esquimaus who
are likely to say anything calculated to please the
Questoner, whoever he may he.
The Daily Chronicle" however. fatty charges
Dr. Cook with having fabricated all the state
ments of any significance with which ne supported
his claim to have reached the North Pole
Continuing, The Chronicle" says: we charge
him with attempting mposture upon the world
and with the knowledge that he could not long
sustain the pretencs"
Peary's direct challenge to DR.. Cooks story gave
a marked impetus yesterday to the growing ten
dency in scientific well popular circles to re-
gard the claims of the earlier arrival from the polar
regions with more than suspicion
This dramatic message from Commander
Peary" says The Evening Standard which
throws down in the emphatic manner the
fabric built up elaborately by DR.. Cook prob
ably is the beginning Of dispute which will be
come historic
In an editorial article The Evening Standard is
even more outspoken than in its news columns.
Referring TO the drastic character of the bomb
shell thrown by Commander PeaFy, It says that
Peary
imposture because he is convinced of the truth of
his own assertion, and because he feels that the
honorable page of Arctic exploration must at once
be cleared of pretences that could only dishonor it.
The Westminster Gazette" says:
Commando Pearys statement brings the whole
| the North Pole is becoming decidedly sultry with
stormy complications.
The paper adds that Dr. Cooks lecture, deliv-
cred at Copenhagen last night, was not altogether
convincing.
The Pail Mall Gazette remarks:
So far as Peary is concerned, there is no ques-
The veteran explorer is believed in his word Every
body feels thai he has merely succeeded t din in set
Pd II work hr Of his life g In th9 9 o P R
story with any proof whatever.
Paris Sept. S-The press of Paris Is absorbed in
the rival claims of Dr. Cook and Commander Peary
to the discovery Of the North Pole and there is
noticeable tendency 10 believe that Dr.. Cook will
have most difficult time in proving the validity of
! his claim in the face of the success of
! perienced explorer like Peary.
Practically all the newspapers agree that DR..
! Cook has passed into the background since Peary
entered upon the scene. and some of them say that
! Peary's appearance will mean that Cook will he
/ doubted than The "Matin'' says that
! DR. Cooks lecture at Copenhagen last night fell
| coldy on his audience. which awaited proofs in
| stead of revamping of old statements; that pub
| lie opinion is changing against Cook and adds that
:. Professor Torp, rector of the Copenhagen Uni
versity, voted against giving Dr. Cook an honorary
/ degree. asking: Would Professor Torp have acted
1 thus without serious reasons2'
The journal to-day publishes dispatch from
Copenhagen giving another version of the story
! that Cook said he feared Peary might shoot him.
! According to this account A passenger the
/ steamer Hans Egede. the vessel which brought Or
! Cook from Greenland. said that Cook made the
statement IF Peary reached the pole before
me | would take revolver and kill myself" The
journal" also agrees that Or. Cooks lecture has
! made bad impression. and it adds that King Fred
| erick himself has been dlsllusOnized
The Petit Parisien' says the world will acclaim
Peary a the real conqueror of the pole. and il
publishes the insinuation that Cook Is merely try
ing to appropriate himself the honor which be
| longs to Peary
Berlin Sept S-Herr Baschin custodian of the
Berlin Geographical Institute and member Of the
Drygalsk expedition. said to-day, regarding the
, claims Of Or, Cook and Commander Peary:
Neither l nor most Of the oh other German seog-
have attacked Dr, Cook. Hitherto it has not been
the custom in scientific circles to attribute false
gohs. Most polar discoveries have been made by
lowing Peery Cagni and Nansen reached the
! highest attitudes Alone, or accompanied only by
| few Esquimaus. Their measurements We're taken
by person alone, and IL is consequently of little
Importance whether the bystanders were white men
! or not, since no witness would be in position TO
rectfy the measurements determine whether
The reports telegraphed from Copenhagen IN
/ 10 the present time leave doubt rega riding the
| correctness of Dr. Cooks narrative points where
| comparison with facts previously eStablishd is
possible. II Noul6 be extremely audaciOus of Or
| Cook TO say he had found the pole. owing TO the
would he able TO contradict Cooks claims if they
false, when ne returned to civilization Cook
afirms there is no land at the North Pole Posi-
tive information proving there land at the nola
would indicate that Cook was mistaken
! Various German newspapers attribute the doubts
raised in ngland 10 envy of the United States or
! to a general spirit of unwingncss to admit that
! persons Of any other nationality are capable of
| performing difficult ana splendid feats.
Rome. September S.-Commander Cagni who was
with the Duke of the Abruzzzi his polar exped-
ton said to-day regarding the respective claims of
Cook and Peary: THAT Peary would reach the
pole one day I never doubted. nor have | doubted
the sincerity of the afirnations Of Dr. Cook but of
! Pearys success | more than convinced
Commander Cagni said that for years Peary had
been I'm the first rank OF explorers and his long
studies in the polar regions the vast experience he
gained In former expeditions and tne wise and com
pete preparations for the expedition Just ended ac
count the greater credit accorded The announce
ment OF Peary success. lie added;
The doubts with regard 10 Dr. Cook arise from
the Vasueness of his first statements, the mis-
| understandings regarding the polar temperature
the position Of the newly discovered land and his
apparent lack OF preparation for the expedition
In Judging the two explorers. the fact that geo-
1 OfsaI hnnn