Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-07
Ownership Before Parliament.

Ownership Before Parliament.
The question Of the ownership OF the
land of the north pole is to come up in
the house Of commons.
Sir George Parker has given notice OF
his intention of asking Premier Asquith
whether this territory is not considered
as belonging TO Canada, and if DIR. Cook
has planted the American flag there.
whether or not this act gives the United
States any right Of possession over the
region.
Sir George Mares. who commanded an
arctic expedition In 1875, in an interview,
finds difficulty in avoiding the conclusion
that Peary's Eskimos at Etah must know
that Cook crossed Smiths sound and
Etah last winter, and says:
isn't 1t peculiar fact that this CO.
incidence occurred In view Of the posi-
bility OF the news having reached Etah
Of the success Of one man or the other?
had learned Of Pearys success and was
making an effort to reach civilization
first with the priority claim OF having dis
covered the pole"'
sage puts it beyond all doubt that the
stars and stripes was the first flag to dy
at the pole. 1t raises very interesting
situation and means a battle as to who
have to be fought out in America. 1
should say that the message was quite
authentic. Commander Peary is a SPLEEN
did fellow, and although we shall await
with much interest the details he will
furnish us 1 am sure he will be able to
satisfy every one as to the genuiness Of
his achievement"
sverdrop Glad for Peary.
COPENHAGEN, September 7-Commo-
dore Sverdrup, who was with DR.. Cook
when the announcement Of Peary's ex-
plot was made, was first inclined to re-
gard the dispatch with suspicion. Even
he remained quite undemonstrative. Re-
plying to a correspondent he said quietly:
II am very glad that Commander
Peary reached the pole. He has been
try for twenty-five years and possesses
cannot say that ! know him very well;
l have met him on several occasio and
respect him greatly. The last time
saw him was at Smiths Sound, from
which place ! understand he started IN
'fThe method Of advancing adopted by
Peary is entirely different from that Of
DR.. Cook. I am perfectly ready to be-
lieve his assertions: but should IKE to
hear some details. 1t is remarkable that
the news should arrive within few days
OF DIR. Cooks startling announcement.
IF Peary arrived at the pole he must
have got there a year after DR.. Cook. l
further developments"
France Would Honor Peary.
PARIS, September THE French Geo
graphical Society was notified officially
today by the Arctic Club of the achieve
ment of Commander Peary. An official
OF the society said:
1--WE have full confidence in Commander
Peary, whose experience, together with
his equipment Of modern instruments and
appliances, insures to the scientific world a
rich feast. We do not doubt DR.. Cook. but
we merely say that Commander Peary's
superior OUTFIT from every standpoint
makes it impossible that he should be
mistaken"
Commander Peary probably Will be IN
vited to lecture In France.
The news Of Peary's achievement was
conveyed to the distinguished seos-
rapi,er j. J. A. Bouquet de La Grye
of the Academy OF Sciences. who clap
ned his hands and cried: Then 1t Is
surely done. We don't doubt Cook. but
somehow we feel that II Peary flashes
back word of victory 1t means that the
man, with his vast polar experience.
will be able to prove to the world that
the roal has at last been attained. II
ia certain also that Peary's success will
lend moral support to the truth Of
Cooks claim"
M. Lemesof. librarian of the geo.
graphical society. recalled how only to.