The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-12

| SYDNEY, y. s, Sept. 12.-Declaring
| that she only makes reply to charges
I that her husband opened, read, and
| even altered letters Entrusted by DIT.
4 Cook to Rudolph Francke, because the
public may draw wrong conclusions,
Mrs. Robert r. Peary says that the en-
tire matter, together with the assertion
that the Roosevelt explorer appropriated
Cooks furs, will he easily cleared up
by her husband as soon as he reaches
this country.
Mrs. Peary. in an interview reluctantly
given, added that she received a letter
from Francke, who told her that If she
would send 5000 TO Mrs. Frederick A.
Cook, there would be no further trou-
BILE" Mrs. Peary says that the only
two Cook letters she knows anything
about were written by Mrs. Cook to the
EATERS husband and were given 20 Com
! mander Peary to take with him on his
last trip to the North.
Herbert L. Bridgman, secretary Of the
Peary Arctic CLUB, coToborated the
statements of Mrs. Peary and added
that not only will Francke's charges be
absolutely disproved BY Pesry, but that
the Iatter's explanation will show that
were Il not for Peary, Frsncke might
not even be alive
The affidavits Of Francke, which drew
forth the statements from Mrs. Peary
and Secretary Bridgmap, II is claimed.
will form the basis OF suit at law
which some of the hackers Of Dr. Cook
will bring against Commander Peary.
Francke states in Ms affidavit that he
was virtually prisoner Of Peary. that
a trunk containing DR.. Cooks messages
and property were at Peary's mercy and
/ that he CFranoke) was compelled 20 sign
! certain letters praising Peary. and sp-
parentIy giving consent to what was
done.
The first Francke affidavit is COM
posed largely of the contents Of letter
he sent to 3. s. Osbon. secretary Of the
Arctic club. The affidavit, in part, fol-
lows:
Wrote "Forced Compliments"
In this way l am i'm possession OF
my own letters. Regarding the letters,
Peary compelled me 70 write them. Lots
Of times he sent Mr.. Marvin, his secre-
tarv. around 70 the Erick to bring me
on board the Roosevelt TO write the let
tiers I did not want TO write the let
tiers. but did it 10 keep peace. I said
and at his mercy. Lots OF things in my
letters are forced compliments"
Pearv knew very well how 10 clear
himself Of suspicion OF appropriating
these furs. and I will now try 70 show
YOU what mean. In my letter Of Au-
gust Il. 1905. [ wrote under mo. 2. The
enclosed letter authorized YOU concern
Ing the FIVE boxes, one bundle OF mar
whal horns and one trunk OF furs and
| one compass. and what 20 do with them.
! This is all Dr. Cooks property except
/ one horn" why did Peary not publish
this letter? Or. Cook wrote it, ITO
| Whom II MAY Concern and those who
/ found them were requested TO send the
/ furs home.
Now what did Pearv do after he got
the letters? He sent the Eskimos and
some OF his men down with two boats
TO bring the stuff up. The boxes were
marked FIVE and six and DR.. Cook s
trunk was brought into Pearv's ship.
was called from the Erick 10 Peary
IN his cabin. land I was compelled 20
hand over the furs To him. He ordered
me 20 open Dr. Cooks trunk which
was obliged 10 do. He wanted TO keep
DR.. Cooks letter 10 me, bat after sew
eral demands gave IT back 10 me-
I had 10 hand over the furs as the
enemy in war has to hand over their
arms TO the victorious party. Some Of
theN furs were wet and widowed. but
Of excellent quality and nearly 200 in
number. Peary bad no right % take
the furs and horns. He is an employee
Of the Peary Arctic Club, not King OF
the Eskimos.
Handling of Furs.
Mr. Whitney, OF New Haven, now at
Etah. Mr Morton, Of New York: Mr.
/ Leonard. OF New Jersey and Mr.. Craft,
/ Of washington. discussed several times
during the passage home and also
while at Etsh. about Peary's handling
( Of these furs. and said that Peary did
wrong and could come into the devils
kitchen for it,"
! / hope that Or. Cook will hold him
| responsible for these things. The above
/ named SpCrtsmen know Who received
part Of the fUrs and horns. and can
/ testify that they went on board the
I Erick 20 the United States. II Is pos
/ sible. too. the President 81 the United
/ States VIII receive some OF the horns
/ and furs which came unla wfully into
| Peary's hands.
| Or. Cook fitted the Eskimos out with
/ clothing. Of which they were short.
/ DR.. Cook had the fUTs left over which
| understand what Peary wanted the
| skins FOR. / saw on hoard the Erick
! lots Of boxes and bundles and loose
/ narWhal horns. Instead of clothing his