The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-18
Explorer Makes Statement to the Associated Press for
 His COuntynsn
CONQUEST OF THE POLE
 IS ESTABLISHED FACT
Peary's Statements Are Discussed by Cook Who Tells How Rumor Got Out That He Had Never
 Discovered the Pole.

On Board the Steamship Oscar II, at Sea, September 1T, via Marconi Wireless to Cape Race, N. F.-"Tell the people of America to have the fullest confidence in my conquest of the pole. I have rec ords of observations made by me which will prove my claims. I shall be glad again to set my foot on American soil.' This was the brief message pr. F. A. Cook asked the Associated Press to give to his countrymen as he hears home on the steamer Oscar II bound from Chris tiansand, Norway, to New York. The Oscar II is due to arrive there some time next Monday.
 Dr. Cook discussed freely the assertion of Commander Peary that he (CoolD had never reached the north pole, and he gave details of the story that caused dissen- sion between the two men. When he de- parted for the north Dr. Cook said he left a depot of provisions at Annatook, north of Etah, in charge of Rudolph Francke and several Eskimos. Francke had in- stTuctions to go south aboard whaler and return later. This he did, but missed the returning vessel owing to a slight ill., ness. He was then taken aboard Peary's ship, the Roosevelt and proceeded north Commander Peary found my supply depot at AnnatoolS,' Dr. Cook continues, and the Eskimos in charge told him I was dead, which they fully believed to be true at the time.
 "Peary placed two men in charge of the depot, Boatswain Murphy and another.
 
 also remained there. Murphy had orders not to search for me, but was told he could send Eskimos northward the fol- lowing spring from the relief depot
 When I returned from the pole unex- pectedly Harry Whitney was the first to See me and to tell me what had occurred Whitney was placed in possession of the facts concerning my Journey to the pole on condition that he would not inform Comm ander Peary or his men of them. At the same time the EslSimos who had ac- companied me north were told to main tain the strictest silence.
 When went into the depot there was a dispute between myself and Murphy, who delivered to me written instructions he had received from Peary, although he himself could neither read nor write These instructions showed that he was
 
 the contents of which had been used in trading for furs and skins
 Dr. Cook said he was intensely annoyed at this alleged wrongful use of his sup plies and threatened to kick out Murphy and his companions. Finally, however. he consented to their remaining at the depot as there was no other shelter in the vi- cinity for them.
 Said he: "On one occasion Murphy asked me abruptly: Have you been be- yond SIP
 But I was determined not to let Peary know of my movements and replied evasively that I had been much farther north. From this statement has been concocted the declaration that I had said that had not reached the pole.''
 Dr. Cook said that he had made ar engagements for the two Eskimos who went with him to the pole and Knud Ras- mussen, whom he met in Greenland, to go to New York and confirm the story of his discovery
 Dr. Cook Is thoroughly enjoying his rest aboard ship after the strenuous days at Copenhagen. He sleeps ten hours each night and spends long time daily in writing and in walking the decks and conversing with the American passen- gers, who all have been formally pre- sented to him by Benjamin Trueblood, president of the American Peace society of 3osfon