Evening star., 1909-03-10
FEAR FOR SAFETY OF DR.. COOK
ARCTIC EXPLORER NOT HEARD
FROM FOR ALMOST A YEAR.
Members of Club Take Steps to Raise
$4,000 to Equip Relief
Expedition.

Fears are entertained for the safety OF
Dr. Frederick Cook, the arctic explorer,
who has been out of touch with clVlllza-
ton for almost a year. and who has not
showed up at the base camp in Green
land or at any of the other points he
might have touched. The Arctic club
wants to raise 100000 to equip a relief
expedition and an appeal has been issued
by Admiral Schley, the president of the
club, for funds This appeal is self-ex-
planatory. and follows:
ITO our Fellow-countrymen:
lone of our intrepid and resolute coun-
trymen. DIR. Frederick Albert Cook, Is
missing in the arctic regions, where he
has been lost to sight since July, 1907.
In a communication from him dated Au-
gust %. 1907. he gave the location of his
permanent camp. or base of supplies. at
Annotoak, in Greenland. about twenty
miles north of Etah. From this point
his course in December 1907. and Janu-
arv. 1908, was westward along Bache
peninsula, over ElleSmere Land TO Can
non bay thence through NanSen strait
and out over the Polar sea to the pole,
his object being to get as far west and
north as possible during the period or
darkness, so that when twilight appeared
he could make the dash Tor the pole pS
long and hard travelling. The last news
from him was dated March II, 1908, at a
point about forty miles north of Cape
Thomas Hubbard, on the Polar sea, wheh
he reported himself we'll and in good con-
dition, and that his progress and pros
poets for success were excellent
Need for Rescue Work.
DIR. Cook was to return to headquar-
ters at Annotoak. Greenland. down Ken
oedy channel through Smith sound. and
in case no ship arrived. he would move
to Cape York and thence to Cpernavik
|expecting to return home not later than
September, 1903. This resume is all that
can be narrated of DR.. Cooks movements,
or what he may have accomplished HIS
failure to return at the time named as
he had hoped, brings us face to face with
the fact that we ought to take immediate
steps to effect the rescue. or to ascertain
the fate of this heroic. resolute and
noted American explorer.
Recalling the generous sympathy ana
help of our great people everywhere
throughout the country in moment when
the people of a friendly nation across the
seas only recently were 50 sorely stricken
by tremendous calamity of earthquake
assures me as the president of the Arctic
Club of America. that appeal to our
generous people in this case for help TO
organize and send forth searching party
will not be in vain.
III Is the WOTk Ol SUCH iIleH dS LII :.
Cook that gives prestige to our country,
adds renown to our character and re-
fleets honor upon our flag. The Arctic
Club of America feels certain that our
countrymen will aid it in bringing about
the rescue of this heroic and daring ex-
plorer or should misadventure have over
taken him, to bring back his honOred re-
mains for sepulture in the land he loved
and TO whose renown his wonderful career
has added so much.
Expedition to Start in July.
TT is estimated that sum not to e:>-
ceed $4,000 will organize. equip, pro-
vision and enable DR.. Dillon Wallace,
| of very large arctic experience in po-
lar exploration, to lead an expedition
| that will be prepared to remain, if need
| be eighteen months, from July of 1909.
"As president of the Arctic Club of
| America and in its behalf l appeal TO
| the generous. benevolent and patriotic
| peopIe of our country for this sum o
| enable us to carry forward this hu
| name project in behalf OF our distIn-
| guished fellowcountryman. My own
| experience in those regions teaches
| that a day or even an hour has a value
when life is to be saved.
| "A full and complete report will be
| published showing the use and eXpen-
| diture of every dollar of this trust
which the Arctic Club of America VIII
| hold as sacred as it's honor.