Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-01-07
DIR. COOK AND THE DANES.

Some OF the papers OF this country
Denmark because of the cordial recep-
tion accorded to DIR, Cook. on his ar
rival there with the claim that he had
reached the North Pole. Prominent
citizens in this country of Danish de-
scent, naturally, resent the criticism
that takes that form. and characterize
it as an evidence OF ignorance of civil
lied standards. We have before us an
article by Mr.. NJ C. Krarup, of New
York, published by the "Danske Ameri-
kaneren," In which this view is set
forth. Mr.. Krarup writes, in part.
He was an explorer Of experience
and certain reputation. He was a
physician, regularly graduated. He
was member of various clubs and So
cieties. in good standing. His claim to
have reached the summit of Mt. Nc
kinley had not been met with public
doubt or dement, II there was any,
thing rotten In his record, nobody In
America had loved truth and principle
well enough to disclose il. If he was
incapable OF taking simple astronomlca,
observations or of following a compass.
after eleven years of active arctic work,
none who ought to know had opposed
his ambitions publicly on that ground
III ne had been Danish physician, II
would nave been inconceIvable that he
should not have learned In eleven wears
all navigator must know, under
standingly. If he had been n member
OIL Danish societies and had been sus-
pected of shady dealings. his standing
would nave been challenged long ago
They stand for principle In Denmark. In
those things, and don't wait to proclaim
mans double-deallngs till a rivals
selt-interest forces the Issue.
10 Denmark and the Copenhagen
University Or. Cook was an American
gentleman OF professional education n
Nhowh explorer In unquestioned
standing. To have snubbed him or
failed to celebrate him would, in their
eyes, have been a deliberate insult to
American Institutions; a gross and dis
courteous reflection upon the American
civilization of which DR. Cook stood an
unchallcnged representative"
Mr.. Krarup. further, points out that
the finding of the Copenhagen Univers-
ity has not established or asserted bad
faith on tho part of DR.. Cook with re-
gard to his claim to have reached the
Polc, but only that Cooks story lacks
all scientific corroboratlon. He sug-
sests that 1t is still possible that Cook.
during his absence from civilization
with known equipment OF dogs. sleds.
food. instruments and Eslsimos. trav-
eied toward the North Pole. bore all
the hardships OF the attempt and, In his
loose way. figured OF fancIed that he
got there. Dir. Krarup argues:
1t Is intrinsically improbable that
ne should have feked his story com
Pietcly. merely for the sake of the scnnt
personal comfort and security he might
OBTAIN by staying In one place on land.
or two sleeps from land. His previous
record and the testimony of fellow ex
plorers. extending over a period OF
eieyeh years, leave no room for q con-
ceptlon OF the man as an Incarnate
fraud, though they do admit of vicyyin,,
MIN as an ambitious person, eager for
distinction and gain. incapable and CON
temptuous OF scientific accuracy. fully,
lmoued with the idea of being able to
peat the north pole game and make a
snort cut 10 fame and fortune, and as
visionary and unscrupulous, at a pinch
ABOUT details as q wildcat flnancIer of
the Morse and Walsh type: and Vet q
man fully convinced that his method lie
right and VIII bring results ouIckar
than any other We can see him az t,
man OF one idea, stolid and persistent
IN the main human things wcll-inten
TONED, but gct-famous- quick man
eia'ca over MS scheme to accomplish