Evening star., 1909-09-11
DEMONSTRATION LIKELY
TO PROVOKE A CLIMAX
Both Explorers Expected to Arrive
About September 20 or 81.
ROOSEVELT AT BATTLE HARBoR
Delayed by Coaling-At Sydney by
Wednesday - Peary Proposed
Bridgman for Polar Com
missioner In Cablegram.

NEW YORK. September 1.-THE fol-
lowing cable was received today at the
Peary Arctic Club. in Brooklyn:
Battle Harbor. via Cape Ray.
September 8.
III. L. Bridgman Brooklyn:
Roosevelt will remain here three or
four days coaling. Expect to reach
Sydney about the 18th. Have 100 wal
rus skins on board for the club Your
letters per whaler and the Jeanne re-
ceived. You are the logical candidate
for the polar commission
"PEARY"
Mr. Brfdgman is now at Sydney with
Mrs. Peary, waiting to meet Commander
Peary. The significance of the last SEN
tence is not known at the Peary Arctic
Club.
Cook-Peary Controversy Rages.
NEW YORK, September 1.-The
Cook-Peary controversy over the dis
covery of the north pole continues to
rage with unabated fury For the time
being the great achievement itself a.
somewhat obscured. IL not lost, in the
intensity Of feeling which has been
aroused over the personal aspect Of the
two conflicting parties.
Commander Peary's latest dispatch.
challenging Cooks claim and characterix-
Ing 1t as "a gold brick" has added fuel to
the already fierce charge and counter
charge Each explorer has his camp OF
loyal champions and defenders. centering
In the various polar organizations with
which they have been identified, but ran1i-
flying throughout scientific and public cir
cles generally.
In these divided opinions plans are he
ing formed on a prodigious. scale for the
welcome to be accorded to the two claim
ants for polar honors. AS present plans
indicate that both explorers will arrive at
about the same time, demonstrations
greeting them promise to bring to a
climax the present intense feeling OF an
proval and disapproval.
Direct Charge Of Imposture.
Peary's latest challenge to Cooks claim
is viewed with varying shades Of feeling
by the supporters Of the two men. It is
accepted by both sides as direct charge
of the untruthfulness Of Cooks narra-
tive.
1t is also noted that Peary adds the
statement that he has proofs of his state
ment contradicting Cook. To give added
emphasis to this he twice recites his pos.
session OF proof.
It is also noted that his intention to
present this proof is when he Cook)
makes full statement of his journey
over his signature Peary also requires
that this written statement from Cook
shall be made ito some geographical So
ciety or other reputable body"
In this connection Copenhagen dis
patches have already stated that Cook
was ready to submit his claim to the
coast and geodetic survey at Washington.
or other scientific body, IL Peary would
do the same thing.
Would Hold Peary to Account.
The use of the contemptuous phrase "a
gold BRICK" in referring to Cooks claim.
is looked upon by the champions of DR..
Cook as particularly offensive. They re-
gard II as not only a challenge Of his
yeracity, but as one of such serious i'm
port in rejecting upon Cooks methods
that It calls for immediate substantiation
from Peary.
Whether he will give this snbstantiation
at once is open to doubt, In view Of his
statement that the proof would be pre-
sented when Cook made full statement
over his signature to some geographical
society or other reputable body.
Commander Peary has now taken ac-
tion as a naval officer as well as an. ex-
plorer by reporting officially to the Presi-
dent, to the Navy and State Departments
and to the coast and geodetic survey at
that he reached the north
pole April 6. 1903.
These official reports are in line with
arguments presented at the hearing OF
Injunction proceedings yesterday over the
question of publishing Peary's personal
narrative, when 1t was maintained Dy
James NJ. Beck. former assistant atIor
new general of the United States. that
Peary's achievement constituted a his