The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-15
explorers, scientists and others who
have gathered here to greet Peary.
Pcary Said to Have IncOntcstible Proof


cry statement he has made in connec-
ton with DR.. Cooks trip in the Arc
tic" said Mr.. Bridgman tonight "Ev-
eryone who knows Peary realizes that
he never makes statements unless he
can prove them absolutely. When the
proper time arrives, and that will be
| when DR.. Cook has made his statement
| over his own signature, the proof will
| be forthcoming. 1 quite agree with
| President Hubbard of the Peary Arc
| tic Club, that DR.. Cook might have
| learned weeks ago in Greenland of
Commander Peary's discovery, and
that in the interim he wove the story
of his discovery of the North Pole.
News, you know, travels fast among
the Eskimos, and it is quite likely
that DR.. Cook heard of what Peary
had done.''
Mr.. Brigdman said he felt much
battered that Commander Peary had
stated that he was the only logical
candidate for the Polar commission a"
The Belgium government III 1896
Mr.. Bridgman continued, ''sent an
invitation to the several nations to
attend the International Polar Con-
gress, which met and adopted a pro.
visional constitution for an Inter-
national Polar commission. The Uni
ted States Government designated me
to act as it's representative at the
| Congress. and I took my credentials
from the various geographical So
| cieties, Artic and Explorers clubs.
| Two years later a definite call for
meeting of the commission was is
sued and the conference was held in
| Brussels in May Of that year.
"The commission was designed to
develop a sort of coordinate working
system of Artic exploration, which
would have prevented just the sort
of controversy that now has arisen.
Few of the representatives at the
meeting in Brussels were authorized
to bind their governments to what
was accomplished. 1 made my report
to the State Department at Washing
| ton, and later Commander Peary was
designated as commissioner for this
country. Commander Peary felt that
should be made commissioner. but
nothing further was done in the mat
ter. Signor Cagni, Of Italy, president
OF the International Polar commission,
has issued a call for the commission
to meet in Italy in 1911"
Peary to Seek South Pole.
Commander Peary has planned to
! organize an expedition to search for
the South Pole, but Mr.. Bridgman
said tonight that Peary would not
discuss it.
Sydney Is putting on a holiday ap-
pearance for the coming of Peary.
From flagstaffs and windows United
States flags are flung, and the head
quarters Of the welcoming party is
beseiged with visitors. Mrs. Peary
and her two children, Marie and
Robert, Jr.. went for drive this af-
ternoon. and later visited friends. The
little son of the explorer in company
nth the French and American con-
sells and a party of correspondents to-
day visited the French frigate Isly
Young Peary was photographed with
Commander Durand on the bridge.
The French war ship probably will re-
main to extend the welcome to Peary
This is Marie Peary's birthday.
She was born sixteen years ago in
the Artic region. Her middle name is
a Ahnighito, which was the name of the
old Eskimo woman who made the
little girl her first suit of fur clothes.
Mrs. Peary said the name Anighito
meant sharp pointed mountain"
Miss Peary received many presents to-
day.
The Roosevelt probably will en-
SOUhtCi hCdNy seas III lIic St. ldW
renee, as incomming shippers report
stout northwest winds. They say also
that icebergs have been seen in the
Straights Of Belle Isle. In view of
these conditions, Commander Peary
will doubtless be delayed in his 460-
mile run to this city.
Mrs. Peary said tonight that she
had received wireless telegram from
Commander Peary at Battle Harbor
today, saying that he was we'll and
would keep her posted. She added
that 10 definite time had been SET for
her husbands departure from Battle
Harbor. Miss Marie Peary received
telegram from her father congrat-
ulating her on her sixteenth brit