Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-22

The university council issued this
statement:
The documents handed the uniyer-
sity for examination do not contain
observations and information which
can be regarded as proof that DR..
Cook reached the north pole on his
recent expedition"
The public Is unable to comprehend
why Cook sent his papers when he adj
mts In the letter presented to Pro-
fessOr Torp former rector OF tie Uni
versity of Copenhagen. by his secre-
tary, Walter Lonsdale. that 1T seems
rnwise and impossible 10 give final
Judgment because OF the absence Of
the instruments and observations
which | left at Etah.'
Members Of the examining commit
tee are very angry over the doctor 5
behavior. Professor Stromgren is
furious and tonight characterized
Cooks treatment OF the university as
shameless
Not inclined to Waste More Time.
Inquiry as to whether the commit
tee would undertake a further eX-
animation in the event of Cook send
ing for the instruments and observa-
tions which are supposed TO be at
Etah, developed that majority OF
the members were not disposed TO
waste any more time in the matter
Tne documents handed the commit
tee Ct the University OF Copenhagen
for examination are:
First, a typewriter report prepared
by Cooks secretary, Walter Lcnsdaie,
and covering 81 pages CT fcolscap.
Second, typewriter copy made by
I.Onsdale from CcCk's note books This
occupies 16 pages of foolscap and in
cludes A description OF the expedition
during the period frcm March IS. 1908
to June -. 1908. during which, ac-
cording to the statement, Cook jour
neyed from Svartevog to the norta
pole and returned to a point On the
polar ice not specifically indicated,
hut west of the Axel Heigberg land.
Original Notes Missing.
The papers were n3t accompanied
by a private letter from Cook, but
Secretary I-onsdale stated verbally tn
the committee that the original notes
and books of the explorer from which
his comics were made, had been sent
TO Europe by another route as a pre-
Cautionary measure and would be de-
i:yered 10 the university in the course
Of a few days.
In presenting the data Lonsdale
stated explicitly and repeatedly that
copy numbered two was complete
and accurate duplication Of the In
formation contained in all Ct Cook
note books that could be of any i'm
l,ortance to the university for the pur-
poses of this examination. In spite
e the explorers promise and his sec
Tetary's assurance that they would be
forthcoming. the commission is not yet
! in the possession of the original note
books and diaries.
Address Not Known.
] Up to this time it has been impos-
sible for the university authorities to
reestablish communication with Cook
which was suspended some time ago.
The explorers address is not known
here even to Secretary Lonsdale.
After the members Of the examining
committee had made themselves ac-
quainted individually with the mater
ial delivered and SO convinced them
selves of its utter wOrthlessness as
q means OF determining whether Cook
reached the pole. the president OF the
committee, Professor Stromgren. call
ed general meeting of the com
mittee for last Friday. when the re-
pert TO the University and which
is now made public was drawn up.
Letter From MarsaiIles.
Lonsdale, who had been invited to
this meeting TO answer some ques-
lions brought with him a letter which
he had received from Cook which bore
neither the place nor date of its writ
ing. The opened envelope. however,
bore the pCstmark Marseilles. Decem-
Der IL, 1909 The same envelope
contained a letter addressed by Cook
10 Professor Torp. The letter to
Torp was dated New York September
20, 1909