The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-09-14
AWAIT MORE
POLAR news
Continued from page -.

Continued from page -.
whaling and mission settlement a4
noon yesterday, and went alongside
the steamer Roosevelt, watch looked
a little worse for her second trip 70
the polar regions. The commanders
greeting was cordial.
The following statement was made
to a representative OF the Associated
Press by Commander r. e. Peary in
reply to question on the Peary Cook
controversy:
Il am the only white man who has
ever reached the north pole and am
prepared to prove # at the proper
time. / have already stated publicly
that Cook has not been TO the pole.
This / reaffirm, and I will stand by IL,
but / decline TO discuss the details Of
the matter. These will come out
later. have said that DR.. Cooks
statement that he had reached the
north pole should not be seriously
taken, and that / have him nailed. by
concrete proofs to support my state
ment In six months you probably will
get the whole story.
Awaits Cooks Statement.
1t would not be policy for me to
enter upon a full debate with the sub
ject as it now stands. To do SO would
be giving out much information Of
which other uses could be made. I
intend to wait until DIR. Cook has is
sued his full authorized statement. Up
to the present time there has been only
newspaper accounts OF DIR. Cooks
alleged polar trip and these may or
may not be accurate.
When DIR. Cook has time to issue
a complete authorized version of his
journey it will be the proper oppor-
tunity for me to make public the In
formation which / have. After that
the jury--in other words--the people,
and scientific bodies Of the world
viii pass judgment on the matter, and
there will be nothing left OF DIR. Cook
but his own assertions that he has
reached the north pole. In the mean
while 1t liz my determination not TO deal
with debates for reasons already sta
ted"
Members Of the Peary expedition
say Peary reached the pole acccnpan-
led by only one man, an Eskimo
showing that in this respect he has
no advantage over DR.. Cook.
Commander Peary has been coun'
seIed to do less talking in his con
troVersy with his rival. This advice
comes from the secretary Of the Peary
Arctic club.
The Roosevelt 10 not now expected
to reach Sydney before Sept. Is, and
DR.. Cook r.,ay reach the United States
before his rival.
New York, Sept 14.--Developments
in the north pole controversy today
contain arguments in favor OF both
Commander Peary and DIR. Cook. The
oft repeated charge that Peary made
use of Cooks stores is denied by Her.
bert l.. Bridgman, secretary OF the
Peary Arctic club, with plausible
ground for refutation. On the other
hand the supporters Of the Brooklyn
physician have been quick to seize
upon the intelligence that only one
Eskimo stood by the naval officers side
when he raised the American flag at the
extreme top of the earth.
Backers of Commander Peary point
out that while Allen Whitney, eboat-
swain Of the Peary auxiliary steamer,
Erik In 1905 and 1908, declared that
Peary's people took DR.. Cooks stores
at Etah and Annatook, Whitney admits
not knowing whether the removal was
an arrangement with Rudolph Francke.
Cooks steward, who had been left I'm
chareg of the supplies
Had Been Abandoned.
Herbert L. Bridgman's statement
wired from Sydney, N. s.. where he is
ne I4a
asserts that Peary instead Of
a rivals stores saved"
the stores which had been abandoned
by Francke.
Peary Furnished Money.
BrIdgman says Francke was picked
up by Peary's men in North Star bay
Cape York and Etah, while
Franske was trying to return to civ
from the post where Francke
had been left by Cook "F'rancke," says
Mr. Bridgman, "said that he was ply
sically unfit to remain longer in the
extreme north. and after Peary's sur
geon had confirmed this statement.
Francke was given money by Peary to
enable Francke to reach home.
The attitude of Cooks supporters
here after hearing Peary had only one
Eskimo to confirm Peary's statement
the thirty-six hours spent
at the pole, is expressed by Frederick
8. Dellenbaugh, an explorer and off,
Ger of the American Geographical So
ciety.
Evidence Favors Cook.
Mr.. Dellenbaugh is quoted today as
follows: TT would now seem that the
OF the Eskimo is In
favor Of DIR. Cook. There evidently
was no scientist present In either case
to verify the observation. Perhaps two
Eskimos are better than one"
4Dr. Cook says two Eskimos were
with him at the pole, but do not
know that 1t makes any great differ
ence."
The final arrangements for the re-
ception Of DIR. Cook when he arrives
on the steamer Oscar III. on Sept. 16 are
being made today. The executive com
mittee OF the Arctic club Of America,
which has the work In charge, promises
the demonstration will be no less than
the one explorer received when ne
landed In Copennagen.
Gives Out Letters.
Cooks supporterse showed some Of
their nand today when they gave out
the import of the so-calied mysterious
letters between Rudolph Francke,
Cooks man and Mrs. Peary. Cooks
friends explained that they gave the
because 1t refuted the In
direct statement that Mrs Peary had
been asked to send money to Mrs,
Cooke. Franlxe's letter made charges
that Peary had taken furs belonging TO
mr. cook Other letters and afE1dayits