The San Francisco call., 1909-09-06
DANISH RULER
PAYS TRIBUTE
TO EXPLORER
King Entertains DR.. Cook at
Dinner and Hears Story of
Dash to Pole
Honors Are Heaped on Intrepid
American Who Solved
Mystery of Far North

other private person. and members oi
the royal family listened to his every
word as he recounted the dangers and
privations of his polar journey.
Doctor Cook was pleased today by
cabIegrana from President Taft, in which
The presfdent extended his hearty con-
sratulations. He had to undergo an or
deal today, being bombarded on every
side with questions intended to test
the accuracy of his afirmations-
Although after midnight when he
reached his hotel at the end of the
first day's trying experience, he sat UP
for two hours engaged in correspond
ence and in conversation with Commo-
dore Hovgaard and Professor Olufsen'
; secretary Of the geographical society.
. He was up before o'clock this morning,
reading translations of comments in
the Danish newspapers. Later he re-
cetved Commodore Sverdrup and Count
Harald Moltke, a member of the Mylius
! Frichsen expedition, who probably will
illustrate Doctor Cooks book.
Quizzed by Scientists
one Of the most exacting periods Of
the day was an interview with Profess
sor Stromberg. leading Scandinavian
astronomer, who says when he is per-
rnitted to examine Doctor Cooks OBJ
servations he can decide within half a
day whether the explorer has been at
the pole. Several other expert arctic
explorers were cIoseted in conversation
with Doctor Cook. When they came
out they appeared thoroughly con-
WINGED OF his absolute good faith.
A luncheon at the American legation
afforded further opportunity TO nom
: EXPERT persons to strengthen their al
ready firm belief in the explorers mar
rative.
The dinner at the royal castle was
) the scene Of greatest enthusiasm DR..
I Maurice F. Egan, American minister,
and several other guests completed the
party. The dinner passed off quietly
as is customary on Sunday in the royal
household. but after dinner there was
a regular rush around Doctor Cook,
who started a succinct recital of his
adventures. One after another OF the
royal personages piled him with ques-
lions and marked their intelligent ap-
and then waited eagerly while. the ex-
nlorer answered, always without hesi-
tatiOn.
Prince Questions Explorer
Prince Waldemar. brother of the
king, who is a scientific sailor. was
extremely interested in the currents
about the pole and the condition of the
ice Prince and Princess George OF
Greece also made pertinent inquiries.
It has been decided that after Doctor
Cooks visit to Brussels he will lee
ture at Paris He then viii return to
: Copenhagen and sail from here for
New York.
One Of the most interesting features
of Doctor Cooks present position is
that he is about the only intelligent
man in the world now who does not
realize how conspicuous and talked
about Doctor Cook is today. Minister
Egan has shielded him carefully. While
he is theoretically living as the gov
ernment's guest at hotel. he is prac-
tically living at the legation so that
he may be kept away from the pressure
Of the crowds. Doctor Cook thinks
that he viii be able to get back 10
New York so that he may revise his
scientific records before he gives them
TO the world.
At lunch at the American embassy
today the explorer escaped Tor a lew
minutes from the absorbing topic OF
the arctic and asked questions which
to the listeners, appeared amusing
about what was going on. What was
this remarkable play. The Merry
widow Of which he had heard from
the Danes in Greenland2 What was
Taft's majority? and similar questions
DiScIaimS Unusual Bravery
To obviate the possible loss by ship
wreck of his papers, Doctor Cook
shipped sections Of them from Green
land by different vessels and is ar.
ranging TO have them sent from Den.
mark in a similar way. Doctor Cool
disclaimed any title to unusual bravery
lie says that the success of his expe
dition was due to the fact that he HAD
strong men and dogs for the final dash
on which several others had started
with weakened parties, and that n,
did not follow the starvation route
When given some details of Lieu
! tenant ShackeltOns expedition to tn,
r south pole, he displayed enthusiasm