The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-12-24
DIR. COOK FAILS TO
ESTABLISH HIS CLAIM
UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
RENDERS DECISION.
The Record Insult Anothel
Chapter in Polar Controversy
Written.

W14GGEu.
Copenhagen, Dec. 21.-The report
of the special committee OF sclen-
fists, with the University Of Copen-
hagen appointed to scrutinlze DR..
Frederick A. Cooks claims that he
had discovered the North Pole, was
submitted to the consistory Of the
University this morning, endorsed by
that body and given to the public.
The report skaters completely, al
most contemptuously, the American
sxplorer's title to such discovery,
and fills the officials and people OF
Denmark with chagrin at the figure
Denmark is made to assume in the
ewes of the scientific world. The pub
lie was prepared for verdict OF
"not proven" but did not expect
its recent hero to be branded as an
imnostor. Many still cling to the be-
lief that Cook acted IN good faith,
but harbored deluslon.
Eyplorers and scientists almost
unanimously have lost faith IN COOK 5
honesty, while one Of his warmest
supporters, Knud Rasmussen, the ex-
plorer, helped to frame the report:
The evening papers attack Cook and
severely reproaeh him for hiding
which they regard as a sign OF
guilty conscience. H..
The rector Of the University, DR..
Salomonsen, when questioned as TO
the possibility Of the University can
ceiling the degree which it conferred
on DR.. Cook, said that no decision
had been reached, but he thought
that tha degree could be Withdrawn
in the same way as "a Government
could deprive a person of an order
obtained under false pretenses. Il
Commodore Gustav Holm, the Arc
tic explorer, and member Of the
committee, said:
Calls Cook 'Swindler.
1iCook's claim that he made the
observation SO degrees, SO minutes,
As seconds, near the Pole, proved
Immediately that he was bad OBJ
server, but nothing indicated that he
was a swindler. Now his papers
convict Nm Of being swindler. We
examined Cooks observations first,
and agreed unanimously that they
were worthless, Lo6se's observations
were not contained in the papers DR..
Cook submitted to She University. He
! IS a clever man, just the sort that
Cook could USE ..'
y Prof. Olaensen, secretary OF the
Danish Geographical Society, said:
s'It is the saddest event in my lite.
As an explorer there seems to be no
doubt that Cook is absolutely unre-
liable. -
Z The committee appointed by the
University to examine Cooks rec
~ords reeentlyA presented its report to
the >consistory of the University,
which reviewed the deductions OF the
experts with the greatest care and
discussed the findings from every
standpoint. That both the commit
tee and the consistory were dlsap-
pointed was soon known.
The consistory met to-day and
adopted written report to the effect
that the alleged records submitted
for examination by DR.. Cook failed
70 prove his claim that he had
reached the North Pole. After OBJ
taining all available information, the
committee finds as follows:
Committees Findings.
First, the report of the expedition
sent to the University by DR.. Cook
is the same as that printed IN the
New York Herald during the months
Of September and October last.
Second, the copy Of Cooks note,
: book does not contain any original
astronomical observations whatsoever
but only results.
Third, the documents presented are
inexcusably lacking in information
which would prove that the astro'
:sl ohearr,at;nnS therein refer