The Washington times., 1909-09-05

COPENHAGEN, Sept 5.-After
fighting his way through thousands
Of hero worshipers, each one intent
upon catching a glimpse OF DR..
Cook, the American who discov-
cred the North Pole, the Munsey
News Service correspondent finally
succeeded in reaching the explor-
er's private apartments in the Hotel
Phoenix here this morning.
DR.. Cook was most genial and
in spite of large numbers OF per-
sons waiting to see him recounted
some of the details of his daring
expedition At the conclusion OF
the interview your correspondent
left with the impression that If the
discoverer is not telling the truth
he deserves to go down in history
as one of the greatest actors in the
world.
Every word of his story was most
realistic. All the incidents, the de-
tails of his thrilling battles with
death, his descriptions OF perilous
situations on ice drifts, and his
stories of privation bear the i'm
print of truth.
Every word he uttered carried
the conviction that he Is a brave
man, whose last thought would be
a deception of his fellows. His
open and frank face spells csndor
and truth; his firm chin and set
Jaw reveal the secret of his bulldog
tenacity and perseverance,.
Il shall live to confound the
skeptics," said DR.. Cook. ~and if it
is necessary to accomplish this
will undertake to lead another ex-
pediti0n to the Pole over the same
g-ound, accompanied by witnesses"
The explorer said this modestly,
but in tone and expression evi-
dencing his determination.
up to the moment" he con-
tinued. Il have been so over
whelmed by this Yhole-hearted ova-
ton that 1 have not had the op-
portunity to go into great details
concerning the expedition itself.
SURPRISED AT SKEPTIcISM.
these details will be furnished as
soon as possible, and then those who
are inclined to doubt my story will
confess themselves in the wrong.
must admit that am greatly surprised
at the skepticism displayed In soTnsI
quarters. but this kind OF thing must.
be expected by men who accomplish
something which others have tried 20
do and have failed.
II dare say that because I am sure
of nv own observations that the idea
that I could be doubted never occurred
to me until my arrival here. Ny note
books. nv observations and all my data,
will, however. be put at the disposal or
any competent body of scientists or
geographers who wish 70 take the trou-
Bile 10 verify my claims; moreover. I
am willing to submit 70 any test, tend
ing to demonstrate my proficiency With
tde sextant and the chronOmeter, or as
a mathematician.
while approaching the Pole I took
hourly observations which / reported
and which my note book will show.
discovered that Wa Wee standing N
an ice-bOund plain, apparently revolving
on an invisible pivot Both the EskimOs
were terrified ans with great difficulty
/ induced them 10 accompany me back
wayd and forward, with the object OF
investigating the extent of the revolving
plain We discovered a break with he
waters surging through and Crinflng
the ice, thus proving that we were iso-
lated from the wor d. This was the
only time on our Journey that the
Eskimcs refused 20 obey orderS I was
frightened myself and completely un-
nerved by the aw<-ll gloom. and these
together with the strange
phenomSna around US. almost caused
me 10 lose my mind; the sinking sensa-
tion accentuated by the extreme cold
ana the want OF food all but over
whelmed me The horror OF the situa-