Evening journal., 1909-09-15
PEARY WANTED
ALL THE HONOR
This His Explanation For Not
Taking White Men TO
Pole With Him
DENIES he READ
COOK LETTERS

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
NEW YORK, Sept. 15.-Polar SC entists
are to-day commenting on the interview
given out by Commander Peary at Battle
Harbor last night in which he declined
to add any more details to his previous
story OF his dash TO the pole or to say
anything more regarding his controversy
with Dr. Cook
Peary declared that II he said anything
more the information thus given out might
be used by others, intlmating that rival
claimants might use this information for
their own purposes.
Commander Peary declared most en-
phatically that he had never opened or
read any OF DIR. Cooks personal letters or
data. He said Harry Whitney, the young
New Haven hunter and sportsman. in
whose care Or. Cook had left much OF
his written data and his astronomical in
struments had not discussed DR.. Cook
claims with him. Whitney he said. was
on board the Jeanie. hunting polar bear
and musk oxen on the western coast of
Greenland. Peary declined to discuss
Whitney's reasons for leaving the Roose-
welt, though Or. Hansen the noted Danlsh
physician who has been in the far north
studying eye diseases declares Whitney
had been oustd from DR.. Cooks house al
Annatok by Peary's giant boatswain and
treated like a dog" all winter and that
the hunter had no love for Commander
Peary or the members Of his party.
Peary Wanted All the Honor.
Commander Peary declared he had talk
ed with DR.. Cooks Eskimo guides and
that they had confirmed his statement,
that Cook did not reach the pole He ad
ded that no presents could ever induce I'll,
Eskimos TO make the dash across tn,
polar seas until he went TO Greenland, a,
the Eskimos feared death there
| Peary was asked why he had taken n,
white companion with him TO the pole II,
said that after all the efforts he had mad,
to reach the pole he wanted the honor al
to himself when success finally croNne,
his plans.
Cook adherents here are bitter IN thei
denunciation Of Peary for his refusa
to give out the Information he claims Z
have 10 substantiate his claims that Di
Cook did not reach the pole. They sa
that DR.. Cook has always borne an ea
ceiient reputation as an explorer and tina
II Is unjust Of Commander Peary 10 max
charges OF falsehood against DR.. Cook a
this moment Of his triumph. without gi,
: ing out his proof.
Peary declares he intends to wait ur
I'll DR.. Cook has given out his entir
authorized account Of reaching the pol
berore proving Cook is an impostei
This, Cooks friends declare is a mani
fest injustice. They say Cook has So
forward his claims and that many sci
entists have accepted them as true. New
Iertheless. they say. Cook must renal
under the imputation until Peary sees 4
10 give out his side and prove Cook a
imposter or fail to do so.
In the meantime Cooks friends ar
preparing to give him a royal receptio
when he lands in New York They hav
chartered a steamer that will carry s5l
people to meet the Oscar il down tn
bay.
The question Of the participation q
the Roosevelt and the John r. Bradle,
the Cook boat in the water parade ir
cident to the Hudson-Fulton, is stiH bs
ing debated.
Peary Club May Balk.
The Peary Arctic Club has shown
| disposition TO withdraw the Roosevelt
If the Bradley is allowed a place in III
procession. Peary. at Battle Harbor, hs
been quoted as saying this would be lei
TO the club TO decide. The Cook follow
, ers are strong I'm their demand that
place of honor shall be reserved for II
John r. Bradley. The Roosevelt ma
not arrive in New York in time TO pa
ticipate in the parade but II she doe
there is certain TO be much bitter fee
ing enrendered.