Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-09-04

that Is liable to cause the death OF
citizens. This particular car does
coverer before he leaves Copenhagen.
II was announced semi-offlcially that
the reason the king did not decorate
Cook this afternoon was that he was
informed that Americans were OPP
posed TO decorations.
IL is not known whether this was
the work OF Jealous enemies of the
American hero.
Copenhagen, Sept 4.-"once. is
enough for any man. will never
again return to the north pole. A
single experience OF that sort is suf-
ficient to last one through life
time"
The above was practically the first
answer given by DR.. Frederick A.
Cook. the hardy American explorer,
who succeeded in planting the Ameri-
can flag at the north pole, to the
questions OF a small army Of news
paper men, representing the press OF
the entire world, who boarded the
Hans Egede, as II steamed into the
harbor here at 9:3O O'Clock this
morning.
While admitting the probability OF
the drifting nature OF the vast
ice stretches covering the site OF the
pole. removing the evidence he left
there April 81. 1908, the date Of
the discovery OF the pole, DR.. Cook
stated that when he presents his rec
ords and observations TO scientific
men. all skepticlsm regarding HIS
success would vanish.
Il first planted the Stars and
Stripes on the stan April 21, and un-
furled the flag My God tell you
IL was a thrilling sight!
Even though the mercury was
scores below zero, tell you that
even IN that God-forsaken spot, the
blood coursed through my veins
more quickly than ever before. and
realized as never before the true
meaning OF patriotism. and the love
I bore for our grand old flag.
After the first flag had waved IN
the breeze, and all OF the first day. I
took II down and planted another
flag on the same spot.
h. angN Haa.
that raised.
II sincerely hope my feat Of reach
ing the pole will soon be duplicated,
for then the evidence OF my dlsoov-
cry will be found intact.
Unless this achievement is soon
repeated, have grave doubts OF the
probability OF my nag being found
exactly In the latitude of 90, because
Of the continual drift OF the ice fields
"It is very possible that the feld
on which / planted the American
flag may move in an easterly direc-
tion, and this be supplanted by an
other. However. am not sure Of
this.
Il spent two entire days at the
pole. and, with the exception OF the
few hours not actually consumed in
eating and sleeping, the time spent
there was devoted exclusively to my
observations.
aha |
purpose, and my instruments were in
perfect order.
The mists that are popularity sup
posed to surround the polar regions
were not in evidence during my stay
at the pole.
MY instruments were the most
modern ever used by any explorer in
the extreme far north.
Although a duplicate OF my obser-
vations and the records placed In a
brass tube at the pole undoubtedly
will be preserved permanently. there
is, OF course, a strong probability that
the flag exposed 20 the winds lasted |
but a few hours and was torn 10
shreds
Il appreciate fully the justice OF
the public's demand for proof, but
have no worry on that score.
Il am entirely confident OF the ae-
curaey and completeness OF my rec
ord ard know that II will satigfy the
scientific world.
The opinion Of the public will be