The Washington times., 1909-09-05

tion was indescribable. After a number
OF hours of the most acute distress we
again pushed forward.
Pole Disappointing.
'"rhe following day marked the at
fainment of our goal, and L then took
our observations on tre farthest North
ever reached by white man con-
less that my Impressions OF that ter
ritory were disappointing.
Our retreat proved a nightmare OF
horrors. Our path was constantly be
set by musk oxen and bear. 1 started
back Immediately after satisfying my
self of the accuracy Of my observa-
tons. During the first period of our
: retreat we Travelled thirteen days prac-
tically without food. each taking turns
az gnawing on an OK bone which we
fhawed out time and time again. The
marrow Of the bone saved us from star
walton. At this point we managed to
Kill bear. which we had been trying
10 do for several days. This undOubt-
edly saved our lives as we could not
have gone on much further.
The journey over a vast stretch Of
this distance was practically race
for life, the oxen and bears harassing
Us day and night
Land Discovered.
Il discovered land which proved 10 be
two islands. or at least one large field
OF ice covering two islands, giving the
appearance OF a single stretch OF land
surrounded by sea. At the southern
end Of this were mountains covered
with snow, while the northern portion
was hidden by comparatively thin
coating OF ice. In the same neighbor-
hood, I discovered a remarkable phe-
nomenon, showing two arctic currents
that brought the Ice foes together
"A point that interested me particu
1arly was the observation that the
glaciers at the Pole were not so large
as those further south. In the direct
vicinity Of the Pole were several un-
frozen stretches Of sea, bat the best
microscopic examina tiOns / vas able to
make failed tc prove the existence Of
any kind Of small animal Likewise
there was no evidence of the exist
ence OF any kind Of the larger species
of tfe Arctic sea animal
DR.. Cook will be the guest Of the King
of Denmark tonight at Charlottenbund
palace, where he win dine with Minis
Der Egan. He viii then give TO his
z royal host as fun an account of his .eX-
pedition as possible
DR.. Cook this morning made emphat-
&c his declaration that he will attempt
to Tea1h the South Pole.
The explorers early morning hours
were spent in reading scores of letters
ano kilograms from scientific organi-
sations. exploration clubs and individ-
uals in Europe and America. which con-
1ipue to arrive today Just as they did
yesterday
Message From President.
One of the kilograms and one which
s gave him great satisfaction was from
/. President Taft IT reads:
Beverly, Mass. September 4.
+ Frederick A. Cook.
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Your dispatch received. Your report
: that you have reached the North Pole
calls for my heartiest congratulations,
> and stirs the pride Of all Americans that
this feat, which has so long baffled the
world has been accomplished by the
intelligent energy and wonderful en-
durance of a fellow-country7nan
WILLIAM II. TAFT
DR. Cook rose early at his hotel, de-
spite the fatigue resulting from the
: busy hours he passed through yesterday
and last night, when thousands were
'clamorins, TO clasp his hand or pay him
some homage. To the Munsey News
Service correspondent ne expressed his
qualification for the tribute paid him
S BY the Danish people and government.
~ He also added that he would be glad
20 again return home to his family.
where he might rest before starting on
y his next voyage
He looked forward with pleasure, h
said, to .he time when he Nould 5e
Joined by Mrs. Cook and children In
4 Europe. so that they might take the
journey home together.