The Montgomery tribune., 1909-09-10
TWO FLAGS AT THE POLE

ing the news to DR.. Cook that Peary
had realized the goal of his life's am.
bition and repeated struggles.
DR.. Cook was seated at a dinner sur.
rounded by explorers and correspond.
ents in the gilded ball room Of the
Tivoli Casino. Around his neck was
hung a garland of pink roses, accord
ing to the scandinavian method of
honoring heroes, which, the explorer
wore blushingly, and with visible em-
barrassment.
Several speeches acclaiming him
had been given and repeated toasts TO
him drunk with clamorous cheers.
| Amid this scene, a whisper went
around that Peary had planted the
stars and stripes at the pole Cook
was perfectly cool and unmoved He
made a striking speech in which he
paid high tribute to the work of
Sverdrup, who sat near, to whose dis
coveries he largely owed his success
to John r. Bradley, who had financed
the expeditions; to THE intelligence,
endurance and faithfulness" of the
Eskimos who had assisted him in the
preparations; and those who had ac-
companied him.
Whole Story to Come Out.
The whole story of the expedition,
he said, has not come out and will
not for some time nor will it come in
installments; but only when 1t is COM
pleted.
DR.. Cock did not permit the
whispers which came to his ear OF
Peary's success to move him in the
least, but when he had finished he
was surrounded by correspondents,
who looked for some sign of emotion;
but the explorer said smilingly:
81 am glad"
Asked if there was any probability
Of Peary's having found the tube con-
tanning his record, DR.. Cook replied:
81 hope so. but that is doubtful on ac-
count of the drift"
DR.. Cook added: Commander Peary
would have reached the pole this year
Probably while l was in the Artic re-
gion last year, his route was several
hundred miles east of mine. We are
rivals of course but the pole is good
enough for two.
THAT two men got to the pole along
different paths" continued the eX-
plorer, should furnish large additions
to scientific knowledge. Probably other
parties will reach it in the next ten
years, since every explorer is helped
by the experience of his predeces.
sors; just as Sverdrup's observations
and reports were of immeasurable
help to me. I can say nothing more
without knowing further details than
that I am glad of it."
Friends Although Rivals.
While DR.. Cook was conversing
casually with American friends, the
possibility of the denouement which
electrified the world was laughlingly
suggested. DR.. Cook remarked:
"It is quite possible that Peary will
turn up now. He is about due to get
back, if he carries out his plans. We
have always been friends while, of
course, we are rivals in the attempt
to find the pole; but we have been
friendly rivals"
Those who have had the best op
, portunities to become acquainted with
DIR. Cook here believe that he is not
! likely to enter into a controversy
| with Commander Peary.
Sverdrup who came here for the pur
, pose of congratulating DIR. Cook was
most interested in the news that Peary
had reached the pole Sverdrup is re
5 markably taciturn and reticent man
, He said: There is nothing l car
: say about this particularly, except thai
t it is most important and wonderful i
: seems to me that America is doing
3 wonderfully, if two Americans are the
I, first men to get to the pole, afte
: such long struggle by so man.
. men of different nationalities."
g Robert Z. Peary, who announced
t that he had discovered the north pole
}, on April 9th of the present year, founC
t no trace of DR.. Frederick A. Cook
+ who reported to the world five day
n ago that he made the same discover.
;, in April of the preceding year. Thi
= news reached here through Captain
}, Robert Bartlett of the Roosevelt
l. Peary's ship, en- route to Chateau Bay
e Labrador.
S Captain Bartlett telegraphed to re
v latives here that Peary had foun,
n nothing to indicate that DR.. Coo
J. had reached the pole While Pear
does not expressly repudiate Dl
n Cooks contention in so many words. hi
d statement may have an importan
r bearing upon determining the exten
It of DR.. Cooks explorations.
y The Roosevelt was in good condition
h and the crew all right, wired Captai
s Bartlett in addition, and he reporte
d that the schooner JEANNE carryin
supplies for the expedition had me
them off the coast of Greenland.