The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-09-25

SiosStu aiu MS lehn nanuS thrust IN
to his trousers pockets, DR.. Frederick
A. Cook confronted Wednesday after
noon In the Waldorf-Astoria forty
or more representatives OF the press,
not only OF America but of the world.
They piled him with questions, per-
tinent and otherwise, concerning his
discovery of the North Pole, and at
the end of an hour and half he pro-
duced for their inspection pocket
note book containing, in close set, mi-
mute writing, his diary of the expe-
dition that made him famous.
Never during the long examination
did the explorer faiter or contradict
himself. For every question he had
an answer, and though he had had no
chance TO prepare himself by fore
knowledge OF the things he would be
asked, there was no hesitation at any
time and the answer was always COM
plete enough to satisfy the audience.
These salient points stood out in
the course of the discussion:
Cook Did Not Know Whitney.
When DR.. Cook met Harry Whit
ney on his way back from the Pole he
was ignorant of the identity of the
young sportsman and Whitney had to
introduce himself. :.
Cook said he cnjoined Whitney
Pritchard and the two EsquimauX
who had been with him to the Pole
to absolute secrecy, because he did
not want the news OF his success to
reach Peary before he, Cook, could
get back to civilization ana tell his
own story.
His scientific memoranda will be
submitted first to the University of
Copenhagen. because the Government
authorities of Denmark have indorsed
his claim to have discovered the Pole
by honorlng him with medals and
academic degrees, and Dr. Cook be-
ilcves that the first opportunity to ex-
anime these records should go to the
people who first recognized and in
dorsed him.
These records will not be ready for
submission to anybody for at least two
months. as they cannot be verified
until Whitney returns in October with
the instruments from which the rec
ords were made. and II will take some
time then to embody all the loose
memoranda into one consecutive re-
cord of the trip from the scientific
standpoint.
Kept Pcary III the Dark.
Cook said he used every means TO
conceal from Peary that he had
reached the Pole, because he did not
see, why Peary, rival explorer,
should have the news before the rest
of the world could get 1t from Cooks
own lips, and for other reasons which
he does not care to dlvulge at present
A large parlor on the second floor of
the Waldorf was the scene of the
questioning, and DR.. Cook sat on a
small chair in the centre of the circle
of reporters. He entered the room at
q little after o'clock, accompanied
by his ten-ycar-old daughter Helen
and his secretary, Walter Lonsdaie'
The child stayed but moment to see
the crowd and then DIR. Cook, with
q glance around the room, asked In
a gentle tone:
"Wcli. gentlemen, what can l do
for you?"
There was hardly seconds hesita-
tion before this question was asked
why were you 70 anxious that
Whitney and Pritchard should Keep
secret the fact of your success In
reaching the Polc?"
Because I did not want them to
divulgc to Pcary what i had accom-
plished," was the reply.
"Why didn't you want Peary TO
know" was the instant rejoinder'
Thinks Pcary Would DO Likewise
Because 1 did not see why he
should get the news before the rest OF
The world. 1 do not think Peary
would have done any different In my
place" answered Dr. Cook. HIS righ'
hand was rubbing his lower lip as ne
talked, and his blue eyes roved con-
stantly from one man TO the vner' :
There was lust the shade OF smile.
"Did anything ever occur IN the n,s
of Yourself and Mr.. Peary that wouiu
create an enmity or lasting bitterness
between your
mo, nothing whatever that hho"
Of" said DR.. Cook.
'Do you look upon Peary as
friend or an enemyY'
81 must say do not know nave
,,oated Mr.. Pcary as "a friend. and
until / know more about the situa'
tion I shall continue to do so.
.Did YOU ever tell anybody at Etah
that YOU feared for your life If Pears
learned the ncws?"
mo, never said anything OF the
sort"
Cook was warming up to the sub
jcct now, and II was clear that the
Peary matter was very much on his
mind. The next question was blunt
would you be willing to NEE
Peary in debate ON the subject o.
the expeditions of each of you to tho
Pole?"
Won't Say More of Rival.
Now, gentlemen" Or. Cook replied
STRENGTHENING himself in his chair. ="
think you have S-~~s Far enough OF
the Peary line. ! shall refuse 10 an
swer any more questions involving
Commander Peary. SO far as | an
concerned. the Peary incident Il
closed He Is not the dictator of m!
affairs, and | do not care to say any
thlag further abous him"
KNOWING that ship was coming
north for Whitney why did you no
walt for 1t and come direct to New
York;" was the next tact taken b.
the questioners.
Because the ship could not go
here till October, and l believed
could get a ship that would land m