The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
William I, Stead, the English Journalist, Interviews
 Dr. Cook ENTHUSIASM OF DANES
 IS MOST REMARKABLE
King of Denmark Receives pr. Cook With Greatest cordlaity and Asks Him Many Questions
 About His Discovery.
BY WILLIAM T. STEAD.

(oPoHHdbcLs oepleHlDeT 4.-kSpeclal) )--lt is now 10 a. m., and have Just emerged from an exciting scrimmage in the har- bor. As the representative of the Hearst News Service I am proud not only to report that I was the first American newspaper correspondent to welcome the great American discoverer, but that I was able to help him through the en- thusiastic crowd at the landing. The pro- cession consisted. first, of one police man; second, United States Minister Egan, who has the muscle of baseball player and the nerve of a journalist. third, Dr. Cook in moccasins. wearing his only suit of clothes, bareheaded, bronzed and happy; and fourth, your representa- tive, whose both arms were clasped around Dr. Cooks waist, holding him up as best I could to free him from the pressure of the enthusiastic and cheer ing crowd.
 It was a long, hot road from the har- bor. where the Crown Prince of Denmark took leave of Dr. Cook, to the meteorolog- ical office, where, after desperate strug- gle. we landed breathless
 The doctor lost a cuff in the scrim-
 
 hat. One person fell and was rescued with difficulty, so eager were the men and women who cheered themselves hoarse and pressed closer and closer upon Cook
 Nearly Crushed.
 At one moment 1t seemed as if, surviv- ing the hardships of the journey to the pole and back, he might be crushed to death on the threshold of civilization For tunately, all ended we'll. and once inside the meteorological office we regained breath.
 Dr. Cook, in few cordial words, ad- dressed the crowd from balcony. telling them how glad he was to land on Danish soil. I had hurried my interview with Dr. Cook while we staggered about. thrust hither and thither through the press.
 The explorer is in robust health. His weight is 175 pounds, the same as when he began the journey. He is absolutely confident of his ability and has kept A record of his observations, which he has brought home to convince, every scien- tifc man as to the reality of his achieve ment.
 He Is not in the least perturbed bv the doubts thrown upon the genuineness of his statements.
 When he met Minister Egan he hailed him with the welcome natural to one American who meets another for the first time after such long trip. He had conversation with the Crown Prince of Denmark, who received him as president of the Danish Geographical society, and who Is enthusiastic over Cooks exploit
 You sent me to Copenhagen to meet Dr. Cook. l have obeyed instructions and met him on the doorstep of Europe. This is my report.
 Cook Is All Right.
 Cook is all right-you can bank on that-right physically and right geo graphically. He has been to the north pole and will prove it. Those casting doubt upon his veracity will look pretty mean when his records are published.
 Meanwhile all who know pr. Cook will believe him. and those who do not will do well not to bank too much upon their ie norance.
 My first interview took place under De- culiar circumstances
 have interviewed people standing. sit- ting and lying, too but never until today have I interviewed anybody with arms clasped around his waist, holding him to keep back the pressure of the enthusiastic crowd swaying hither and thither with sYcn force as to threaten to carry us off our feet
 Amid this tumult, forging ones way through the multitude. my first talk with Dr. Cook began. He is a man of few words, who has hardly spoken English for a year, but in the scrimmage I learned first that Cook is an inch below my own height, which Is feet inches. and that I could talk into his ear without stooping; second. from the grip around his waist 1 learned he is well set up not spare, but solid. without superfiuous flesh: third, his weight Is 175 pounds; fourth, his hair is rather coarse, straight and sendy brown; he wears moustache but no beard fifth. he was self-composed and took placidly the enthusiasm of the crowd welcoming him back to civilization.
 These things I sensed as I held him in A bear-like hug while we slowly ploughed our way toward the carriage which the Danish Royal Geographical society had in waiting.
 Health Always Good.
 asked him about his health. He said 1t was first class. He looked it. TO Min ister Egan he confided that he had only one suit of clothes, that in which he stood. It was a dark gray morning coat with brown trousers. He wore a gray neck tie and on his feet had moccasins woman thrust bunch of rose into his hands. He kept 1t as long as he could. His face was bronzed. He seemed happy, but little dazed by the stormy ve- hemence of his welcome.
 Whatever doubtp some may profess to entertain there is no skepticism in Copen- hagen. Today the best geographical ex- perts of Denmark were at the harhor to bid the explorer welcome. At their heed was the Danish crown prince. easily the tallest heir-apparent in Europe. and Han- sen, the minister of commerce.
 The Hans Egede lay a few hundred