The Washington times., 1909-12-24
DR.. Egan Declares Copen-
hagen University Needs
No Further Proof.
.SOCIETYS DECISION
is ALSO ACCEPTED
misunderstanding Between Scien-
fists of Two Countries
Passes Away.

|
covered the North Pole, scientists Of the
1 Universit- OF Copenhagen took his un-
/ support word for it. Any further
| surety his word they might have
demande on scientific grounds was
| cleared up when the National Geo
graphic Society approved his claim
! This statement, made this morning by
DR.. Maurice T. Egan. United States
minister to Denmark. who has just ar
rived IN washington, viii do more,
scientific men say. to clear up the at
mosphere Of misunderstanding between
the two countries and their representa-
tive scientific societies than any event
I'm the past few months.
ANY trouble that might have been an
ticipated because Of a possible refusal
Of the National Geographic Society 10
allow Copenhagen to pass upon Peary' S
records was cleared away with Dr.
| Egan's statement that he did not be
lleve the university had the slightest
desire to consider Peary's records.
Has Faith in Americans.
'"The University would accept the
| finding Of the National Geographic So
I ciety with implicit faith just as it would
/ expect the American body 70 accept its
verdict" DIT. Egan said.
Another point OF misunderstanding
cleared up by DR.. Egan's arrival WAS
the reason Of the University of Copen-
hagen for refusing to recognize the
claim Of the National Geographic So
cletv to have a representative present
when Dr. Cocks records were exam
ined.
''The question OF courtesy did not
enter into the consideration DR.. Egan
said. 'aThe American society was re-
fused the request because its repre-
sentative could not have been admitted
without admitting Representatives from
more than a dozen scientific societies
OF Europe, which would. on the face
OF It, have made the proceedings cum
bersome. The request was refused for
the added reason that the university
felt that It had a responsibility IN pass
ing upon the records which 81 could not
divulge. II was not averse 20 passing
on the records after &c had reached q
decision. but Il felt that 1T was under
an obligation TO all concerned 90 reach
some conclusion"
Egan Explains Facts.
DR.. Egan declared ne had explained
these facts 70 Prof. Willis Moore. presi-
dent OF the National Geographic So
ciety, when he met Mr.. Moore in New
York city.
"I feel confident" the minister de-
clared. that. as result Of this e2-
planation, the misunderstanding Of the
universitys attitude which seems 10
have prevailed here has been corrected.
"Our attitude toward Dr. Cook oves
in Denmark seems to have been mis-
a. rrH
He came 10 us from out OF dark
ness, ne was without clothes, was
weary. and what could we do but well
come him? We would have taken a
stranger in under these conditions, but
when he proved 10 be an American citi-
zen with a record unspotted and some
distinct achievements TO his credit, DE
deserved some consideration. He re-
ceived that consideration. just as would
any other prominent American citizen,
without respect 10 the validity Of his
claim Of discovering the pole"
Cook Impresses Danes.
DR.. Cook impressed the Danes. Or.
Egan said, as a slow thinking, rather
unbusinesslike man. not very well edu-
Gated. and having hardly enough saga
city TO perpetrate a hoax Of the colossal
proportions he did.
AS an example OF the manner I'm
which the explorer gained faith i'm his
statements, Dr. Egau cited a sketch by
William r. stead, editor Of the Eng
lish Review OF Reviews, wEo said:
when he made a present to the New
York Herald of the exclusive story of
his discovery he vas asked 20 name hiss
own terms. What did ne know Of lis
valuc2 One New York paper sent its
representative 90 meet him before n
was known that tho Herald had his
letter. with instructions to offer 210
pounds, with a possible extra thousand
thrown in, for the first exclusive inter
view. When Nansen started for the
North Pole he was promised 3 900 pounds
2y the London Daily Chronicle n he
reached the pole and as many pounds
loss Tor every degree he fell short of m
AS ne only passed the cightv-ei,tb do
gree, ne only received 1000 uorlD5
DoOk Tor tho exclusive story OF how Is
Leached the pole only asked 600 norfrJe
re certainly was the last man yybo,, /
any business firm would send ONT o.,
money. ANY American ncyvsbo, ,o+,il I
nave given him points on Ioolzi1s, afta-
himself" "l'ef