Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-06
King. Of Sweden Recognizes
Dr.. Cook as DiScoverel

The King of Sweden omcially has rec
,gnixed DIR. Cook as the discoverer of
he north pole.
Minister Egan at Copenhagen has in
ormed the State Department under yes
erday's date In effect that the king,
through the Swedish minister at Copen-
hagen. has congratulated the govern
nent of the United States on the occa-
Ion Of DR.. Cooks discovery.
1T Is not fair to doubt DR.. Cooks
sord in the absence of any evidences
Whatever against him."
This statement was made today by
apt. A. G. Winterhalter Of the navy,
hief Of the photographic Office here in
Epeaking OF the doubt that had been ex-
PRESSED In some quarters as to whether
Dr.. Cook actually had reached the north
,ole. Not one time In hundred thou
and" he said. would DR.. Cook be able
successfully to fake astronomical OBJ
srvations. have had much experience
making observations and compilations
rom them. and I speak from my own
knowledge In such matters.
Fake observations from day to day
ould not possibly be continued for any
sngth OF time without detection, and why
lot wait until access Is had to DIR. Cooks
eeords and books? These in my opinion
Vill clear up every question az to his
ctuaily having reached the pole. II they
o not 1t will then be quite time enough
o cast aspersion upon him.
Never Any Taking
Never in the annals Of arctic explora-
Ion has there been any attempt made to
manufacture observations or make a flc-
Hious claim of achievement, and am
hot
his kind in the case OF DR.. Cook"
So declared Prof Willis L. Moore. the
hief OF the weather bureau, acting Sec
etary OF Agriculture and president of
ne National Geographic Society. Prom
IL accounts OF DR.. Cooks trips" said
rcf: Moore. II feel satisfied Of the au-
henticity OF the whole matter. I see
othing In the narrative as told by Dr
.ook that should cause any Apprehension
doubt about the actual performance OF
ne feat. man would have too little ia
am and too much to lose In making any
Their than an authentic claim, because
Is fame would be Of too short duration
nd his ignominy would be everlasting"
The National Geographic Society, which
as membership of about 0,O0O. has its
e eaaauar 1 here In the Hubbard Me-
eosrspher. is vice president and Dr.
alexander Graham Bell is one OF ITS
oard OF managers. DR.. Bell Is out of
ne city. At the next meeting OF the
oard the whole question Of Dr.. Cooks
iscovery will be thrashed over.
Believes In Ressrving Judgment.
I believe in holding the whole matter
{ the claim of discovery OF the north
ole In allegiance until adequate proof il
tubmitted." declared Prof. Henry Gan
EFT today. Prof. Gannett has a world
ride fame as q geographer and author
scientific works, and is q member ~
ne National Geographic Society. Anaeri-
m Geographic Society, Scottish Geograph.
Society, Philadelphia Geographic
.merican Economic Association. Wash.
lgton Academy Of Sciences, GeoloRical
ociety OF America. secretary OF fhe
ighth international Geographic Congress
nd other scientific bodies. Prof. Gan
EFT said today:
Holding the matter In allegiance does
OF imply any especial disbelief in the
IAN. DIR. Cook compares himself with
'eary and others in connection with
hackleton and Peary, and neither
laimed. DR.. Cook says the reason fol-
10 success was that he made his trip al
different time OF the year than any one
lse. and he added that he found the Ice
cry rough and that there were several
ads of open water which bothered him
'Ook and Peary went at the same time
the year. Peary reached the farfhesi
ORTIZ at almost the very day that Cook
avs he reached the pole. Peary left
irantland at about the. same time that
ook says he left Grantland.
THE two journeys--those of Cook and
eary-were made at almost identical
mes Of the year. varying from eacf,
Their by noe over a week.
Doubts Bear Story.
see nothing in Cooks narrative 10
rake me suspicious except for this and
kept for the stories about his beins
ursued by polar bears and musk OK, and
hat he had to say about the floating ice
never heard of q polar bear attacking
man except In seif-defenss. Pola,