Evening star., 1909-09-05

COPENaAGEN, September 4.-Dr. Cooks
reply to his critics Is substantially as fol-
lows:
He has the records of his expedition. to-
gether with certain scientific data and
proofs, which he VIII submit to the world
Of science for its Judgment. Hsfis conf
dent that the verdict will be a substantial
ton of his claims.
Questioned on the skepticism regarding
his story arising from the fact that he
was the only white man to take bearings
and observations, as well as the only
white man in the party, he answered that.
with other well authenticated expeditions.
one scientific man of the party took all
the observations.
DR.. Cook left at the pole. in a metal
cylinder, a small American flag and the
records of his voyage. He did not have a
staff on which to erect the flag. nor could
the stability of small staff have been as
sured
Inquisition of Newspaper Men.
The most detailed account of his polar
journey as yet given by DR.. Cook was
gained from him by large body of news
paper correspondents whom he met this
evening at the Hotel Phoenix.
DIR. Cook. at the request of the corre-
spondents, consented to answer all ques-
tions. First he was asked whether or not
the first account of his discovery of the
pole could be accepted as entirely his own
work. He replied in the affirmative, ex-
cept for the obvious errors i'm transmits
sion.
He then explained the doubt about the
30 900 square miles discovered, saving he
meant they were able to see fifteen miles
on each side during their journey to the
pole, and that, therefore. a hitherto un-
known territory of 10000 square miles
was now discovered.
Dr. Cook proceeded to show that he was
fully competent to take all observations
saying that on previous exploring expedi-
tions he did very little observation work,
members of the party
This time" he continued, I'VE had
started out to reach the pole. and every
thing else was of secondary consideration
1t was not possible to carry certain ap-
paratus, and it was impossible also TO
study the deep sea or take soundings.
I'VE carried all necessary simple in
struments for astronomical observations
servations virtually every day The po-
stions noted must have been nearly cor
rect.
Watch Went Wrong.
1--WE had three chronometers, one
watch, compasses and pedometers. All
were carefully controlled by each other
from time to time. The watch, however,
got out of order.
I'VE had all tho nodaru INSTRUMENTS
which other explorers have had, includ-
ing thermometers. barometers and sex
tants of the latest models. 1t is possible
that our observations were better than
those of earlier days.
II do not assert that I am perfectly
familiar with making astronomical OBJ
servations. especially in the polar regions
think that all explorers will be satisfied
with my data. Why should 1 sit down
and invent observations" he exclaimed.
Il did not do this thing for anything but
sport and because l take a real interest
in the problem 1t would not do me any
good to invent these things
..The only witnesses / had We're two
Eskmos. certainly. but in all polar ex-
petitions observations have been made
by one man. 1 regard the Eskimo
much more intelligent in finding positions
than the white man in the arctic.
These people. as a rule. are not abso-
lutely ignorant. They know that the
earth is round. They have a name for
the pole. which they call the big man,
They appreciate the work of explorers
when participating therein.
Il think Rasmussen has obtained some
information regarding my expeditions
from the Eskimos, who have learned IL
from the two with me. Rasmussen
was there much later, and his informa-
ton will be published shortly. possibly to-
morrow.
Ice Active at Pole.
Concerning the ice around the pole
so far as ! could see 1t was slightly
more active there than at one or two de-
grees south. 1t drifted somewhat moro /.