The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-06
COOK Dimes AT
ROYAL BOARD
King Frederick Enter
tains Explorer.
DANES BELIEVE IN STORY
scientists Accept Report Of Dis
eoyery.
with Rapt Attention., Mensers Of
Reyai Family Li.tea to story
Of Fiaalas Of North
Pele.

. =
Frederick at the summer palace, few
miles outside Of Copenhagen. abe
King summoned DIR. Cook to an au-
dience yesterday as q formal courtesy.
They engaged In an hours talk, and
while these royal audiences cannot,
according to etiquette. be infinitely de-
scribed by the members Of the court,
DIR. Cook made such an Impression on
the King that His Majesty immedi-
ateiy instructed the court chamberlain
TO summon the explorer to dine with
him tonight.
him yesterday only after having the
Government make the closest possible
Investigation into the merits OF his
story. All the Danish explorers were
asked to give their opinions Of DR..
Cooks claims before the audience was
granted, and their verdict was unant-
mously In his favor.
The dinner tonight was entirely the
result of the Kings personal opinion
regarding the explorer, who had the
seat on the Kings right. an honor
which the Danes cannot remember hav-
ing been accorded another private per-
son, and members of the royal fam
lily listened to his every word as he
recounted the dangers and privations
of his polar Journey.
Pleased by Taft's words.
DR.. Cook was immensely pleased to-
day by receipt of a telegram from
President Taft. In which the President
of the United States extended his
heartiest congratulations on the an
nouncement that DIR. Cook had reached
the pole. He had to undergo verita-
BILE ordeal today, being bombarded on
every side with. questions intended 20
test the accuracy Of his affirmatfons.
Although after midnight when he
reached his hotel at the end Of the
frst days trying experienced. he sat
up for two hours engagedwIn corre-
spondence and in conversation with
Commodore HovEaard and Professor
olufsen. secretary &c the lsoerRphirAl
Society The exploref was out Agetn
Transitions Of the comments III the
Danish newspapers. Later he received
Commodore Sverdftip and Count Hgr-
aid Moitke. member of the Myths
Erickson expedition. who probably
will illustrate DR.. Cooks book.
One of the most exacting periods Of
the day was an interview with Pro-
lessor Stromberg. the leading Scandf-
navian astronomer. who says that when
he Is permitted to examine DR.. Cooks
he can decide within half
q day whether the explorer has been
at the pole.
Several other Arctic explorers were
cioseted today In an eye to eye con-
with DR.. Cook. When they
came out they appeared thoroughly
convinced OF his absolute good faith.
LuncheoA at Legation.
A 1,.nchaon nj the AguArtcan laOatf0n
afforded further opportunity to nom
expert persons to strengthen their al
ready Arm belief in the explorers mar
rative. Then DR.. Cook disappeared
from public view for an hour, during
which time he submitted to the cam
era at a Photographic studio.
The dinner at the royal castle at
was the scene of the
greatest enthusiasm. The King and
every member of the royal family. even
the smallest children. assembled. DR..
Maurice r. Egan. the American Min
lister; the Rev. DR.. Daae of Chicago.
and several other guests, completed
the party. The dinner passed of
quietly. but after the dinner there was
q regular rush around DIR. Cook, who
started a succinct recital of his ad-
ventures, whose graphic depletion
gained from the calmness and candor
of the speaker. Cne after another OF
the royal personages piled him with
questions which marked their intelli-
gent appreciation OF the conditions in
Arctic seas and then waited eagerly
while the explorer answered, always
without hesitation. Prince Waldo
mar, brother Of the King. who Is a
scientific sailor. was extremely inter-
ested in the currents about the pole,
and the condition of the ice. Prince
and Princess George of Greece also
made pertinent inquiries.
The King and Queen and everybody
were so greatly interested in the story
that they remained in the drawing
room much later than is their custom.
AS DR.. Cook retired with Minister
Egan, he was the center of congratu-
Iatory group. II was easy to be seen
that the royal family had implicit
faith in him.
When he returned to his rooms. DR..
Cook took up the correspondence on
which he had been engaged. writing
until a late hour. II has been decided
that after his visit to Brussels he Will
deliver q lecture at Paris. He will
then return to Copenhagen and sail
from here to New York.
IL Kept From Crowds.
One of the most interesting features
of DIR. Cooks present position Is that
he is about the only Intelligent man
In the world who does not realize how
DR.. Cook Is today. Minis
ter ERan has shielded him as carefully
as possible. Where he Is theoreti-
calIy living as the Governments guest
at a hotel, he is practically living at
the legation, so that he may be kept
away from the pressure of the crowds.
DIR. Cook thinks that he will be able
TO get back to New York quietly SO
that he may revise his scientific rec
ords before he gives them to the
world.
Al lunch at the American embassy
todav the explorer asked questions
which to the listeners appeared anus
ing about what was going on. What
was this remarkable play, THE Merry
widow" Of which he had heard from
the Danes In Greenland? What was
raft's majority? and similar aues-
lions.
Two Of the most prominent literary
men OF Denmark. George Brandes and
Baron Rosecranz, came In to shake
hands, and throughout the course OF
the day DR.. Cook met the most nota-
Bile people in all branches. The pro-
gram which has now been arranged
Includes a reception by the American
Aainiste to ne diplomats on Tuesday
afternoon, a reception to several DAN