The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-25
NO CAUSE FOR RESENTMENT.

|
We confess that we do not understand
why Admiral Schley's suggestion that
the Peary data with regard to his dis
covery of the north pole should be sub"
mittcd to the University of Copenhagen,
has raised such u storm. it seems to
us entirely reasonable that the Peary
data should be submitted to the same
body of scientists that has passed upon
the Cook data and tested by identical
analysis. and we do not harbor for one
moment the suspicion that Peary' 8 re.
pute would suffer in that case or that
there would be such n verdict as was
given concerning Cook IS proofs Com.
mander Peary makes the boast that his
expedition was purely American. The
ship Roosevelt" which took him to
the north, was American built; it was
named after the greatest man that
America has ever produced, according
to Commander Peary; it was manned by
| Americans, American supplies also were
taken, and the expedition was American
| throughout; and now Americans alone,
| il seems, must pass upon the result.
1t is not in the least necessary to
suggest that the approval Of Peary by
the American scientists was obtained
through partiality, patriotism, or any
sort of favor. We assume that the
Judgment in favor of Peary was rem
dered on purely scientific lines, with.
out any detection from the straight
or because the honor of America de-
mands that the verdict should he in his
favor. Believing as we do that the
Peary claims would stand any test Of
impartial science, it seems to us that
the suggestion OF Admiral Schley has n
merit in ii that is apt to be overlooked;
and here is the point. Americans of
course, claim the honor Of the discov
cry of the north pole. American scien-
fists have pronounced in favor of PearY
having made that great achievement.
This verdict is rendered on strict scicn.
tifc lines, without favor but strictly
on merit. Yet how shall we convince
the world that it is so7 Another
American claimant, DR.. Cook, reported
that he also had reached the pole. His
claims were submitted TO an impartial
tribunal, tribunal, in fact, which was
more in his favor than against him if
there was any preference at all. And
the verdict was that he had not proved
his case
European scientists are not in the
least well disposed toward the accept
ance of American scientific opinion or
judgment. They claim that American
science is far behind that of the most
advanced European science. 1t was in
evitable that the point raised by Adj
mira Schley should be raised. Euro
peans were sure to claim that the Amer
ican judgment was not conclusive. and
they Will to a greater or less extent
claim that the question is not settled
by the American Judgment. And now
that the question has been raised, if
Commander Peary refuses to submit his
data to the University OF Copenhagen to
be subjected TO the same test to which
DR.. Cook s data was subjected, there
will always be chance for Europeans
JO Sdl Iudb Ue "dS dlIdIi W ip S's L ut
case will be emphasized in the same di-
rection by the fact that the University
of Copenhagen has forwarded Cook IS
data TO the American Geographical So
ciety together with its Judgment there
on. If. now, the Peary data are not
subjected to the same courtesy in return,
there will inevitably linger suspicion
in the European mind that there is
something wrong. The carrying out of
Admiral Schley's suggestion would be
conclusive, would stop all cavil, TO do
so would appear the only solid and prop
err course TO be followed. If it is not
done America will suffer And since
| the Peary case seems to be so entirely
clear, since the whole world is ready
TO accept his claim and award him the
due honors thereon, there would seem
to be no reason whatever for the anger
| displayed in the way Of resenting Ad.
miral Schley's suggestion. no reason at
all why this suggestion should not be
carried out, but every reason in the
world why what he suggests should be
| done