New-York tribune., 1909-09-06
LONDON PRESS COMMENT.
Some Of the Newspapers Think DR.. Cook Has
Hurt His Case

London Sent 6-'Dr Cooks statements in Den
mark in support his claim have rather strength
Fned than otherwise the doubts the value OF
his observations
This sentence from The Morning Post is rep
sesentatve Of the attitude still held by a section
az the London daily newspapers, which, while in
sistlnG upon the necessity Of preserving open
mind pending the production OF the details of Dr.
Cooks scientific observations and diaries express
some surprise that the latter have been sent
The United States instead of brought with him for
Immediate production.
1.-The Times" in an editorial urging that judg
snent on DR.. Cooks claims be suspended
until the fun story is published, expresses sincere
hope that no accident will happen upon the voy
age those vital credentials Of success his orgi-
nal notebooks and instruments. from which Dr.
Cook seems 10 have parted with rather imprudent
sishtheartedness."
Until DR.. Cooks evidence can be tested says
'The Times the prevailing attitude fair
minded Je OF willingness 10 credit his
story. For reasons addUced by Bernacchi in our
columns to-day and for other il at
present be regarded quite conceivable that Dr.
Cooks conviction that he reached the pole is senu
sne but mistakes may occur
This Daily Telegraph which hitherto has been
q Wholehearted defender of DR.. Cook. and even
day admits that his reticence is both reasonable
and discreet. confesses that any delay, however
Unsuitable is bound dctTimentally the
explorers immediate position. II further points
cut that similar controversy might have arisen
Captain Aniundsens penetration OF the North
Asset Passage had II not been easy 10 prove.
THE Daily News in editorial strongly sup
ports Dr. Cook It thinks that he has emerged
triumphant from a severe cross-exarnination and
that probable absolute proof that he
reached the pole will never be forthcoming IN
less Dr. Cooks power OF Judgment has been i'm
paired by cold. hardshps and loneliness" says the
paper, 1.-The evidence for the truth OF his story
stronger than the possibility either that his
observations were that he has deliberately
chosen 70 make April fool OF the whole civilized
world
The Daily Chronicle" IN highly skeptical arti-
Gle, asks how Cook sent his diaries 10 America and
why. il he was able 20 send them America from
Greenland. he did go America first himself
II points that in the conditions DR.. Cook de-
scribes prevailing at the pcIe the of re
fraction prevailing would be enormous, the sun
appearing. not disk, but blurred OBJ
long, and. 10 talk of observations OF the minute
ness Of fourteen seconds" is pure nonsense. be-
cause. says the paper the liability 20 would
amount 20 several miles,
The Chronicle further wants know what
kind OF artificial horizon DR.. Cook used. II II
was OF mercury IL would freeze and If not frozen
would trenable so violently as 20 be useless for
observation purposes, If. he relates there was
q moving under The ice
While the editorial columns thus differ a ma
jor1ty of the Copenhagen correspondents appear 10
be firmly convinced OF DR.. Cooks veracity They
sll give full details OF the severe cross -exanina-
lion 70 which he was subjected and, with few e1-
ceptions quite content 70 wait for further de-
vsiopments.
The Daily Telegraphs' correspondent says:
sTgghen Cook arrived he reminded one Of Robinson
Srslsoe after he had been shaved and reclothed
he appeared 10 resemble the Emperor of Germany -
The Copenhagen correspondent OF THE Morning
Past says: 'Dr. Cook makes quite impression
nj rst introduction. and IL is rather difficult
lsevs him the hero of dash TO the pole. In con-
rersation il is soon apparent that he is
man OF great energy and large practical knowl-
edge"
.eI-he Daily Nevs's" correspondent says: There
y,-e hardly any OF who swarmed around Cook
Who wers not convinced OF the genuneness Of his
claim