Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-01-05
tHE CASE OF pR. COOK.

H3is now as unanimously conceded
that DR.. Cook did not reach the pole
as it was at first claimed that hi
did. But there was an element O
doubt with everybody in the first in
stance and there is an element .oi
doubt now.
No one could explain Why II fyDr
Cook. was honest, he did not at once
slsatisfyearctict explorers that he. had
records sufficient to Justify his
fclaim. No one can explain now why
Tifs hasplanned tos profit by fake
discovery, he did not during. his two
years In arctic regions manufacture
a record that would at least leave
some room for dispute. II he was
honest his conduct is unsxplainable
and II he was dishonest 1t is full,
as difficult to account for him.
1t Is mere foolishness to discuss
the matter on the assumption tina
he was not thoroughly acquainted
with, arctic conditions. The criti.
cisms of Wellman, Kennan and 9th
ers were beside the point, for Cook
knew his country better than the,
did. and fully as we'll as Peary. Ho
was scientifically trained as "a yonn--
man, and had spent his life as ar
explorer. On this point Kellogg Dur
land of the Explorers club, who be-
lieves Cook to be the victim Of men,
tai breakdown, Is suggestive;
1t is ~inconceivable that man Of
scientific training who has been or
eight expeditions into the arctic aiii
antarctic regions should exhibit such
complete ignorance Of the rudiments
of scientific knowledge. 1t is equally
Incredible that man who has made.
exploration his meter for twenty
odd years should go into the ia
north and creep into an igloo o1
snow and ice, there to remain In
absolute inactivity for eighteen
months or two years, without even
attempting to reach the goal o,
arctic explorers of the past several
centuries. Popular rumor notwith
standing, Cook was equipped to reach
the great nail. Scientifically trained
as young man. disciplined by eight
successive expeditions into polar
lands. stalwart and rugged Of ply.
sique he might have made good his
claim without surprise to his Oldest
friends.
II Cook were not a scientific man
and had not known his country he
could not have deceived the great
Danish explorers. These men are not
taken in by any but thoroughly in.
formed men. slg
But how could Cook with his
knowledge. and with two years time,
II he had decided to make a claim
to the pole, present q record that
has been dismissed as unworthy oi
serious consideration? ANY intelli
gent man could have produced al rec
ord that would at least have caused
doubt. Cook. il he is the monument.
a faker he appears to be, shout
have aaadsa record that would taye
divided scientific men, and openef
a CONTROVERSY of years. durationi ont
Of which he would have reaped for
tune II not fame. He is, II anything,
more unaccountable as faker thar
saH an honest explorer.
1t will not be surprising II in the
end the test Of Cook will, come back
to his story Of the ascent Of Noun
Mckinley. He was not laboring un
der any stress of mind when he
wrote the book in which he claimes
to have performed that feat. III
records. II he left any there, have
NOT been disturbed. The ascent, iii
Ne made 1t, can be made again. IL II
should prove that the records ar,
there 1t will then be easy to believe
that he made an honest trip I'd the
north. and reached or nearly reached
the pole-his subsequent conduct to
be accounted for by the privations o.
his polar life. and the disconcertin
attacks. upon his integrity. II the
records are not there 1t, will be plaii
that having lied in one instance he
has lied in both. l
It seems now that Cook may come
to be looked upon as half explorer,
half faker. one OF those '''let I dare
not. wait upon would" sort Of men
who are never quite willing to abide
by the limitations Of the record and
yet never muster up, quite eoureg |
enough to do bold deed Of crime.
With ambition to be an explorer, an6
talent to be romancer,. he proves,
With one Of the great opportpnitie.
before him, to be- not quite one o,
the other. He could shaye won fame
by telling the exact truth of hisll
polar trip. or he could have palmed
off the most colossal fake of the cen.
tury. As 1t Is his merits as an ex-
plorer are overlooked, while his fail.
,ure as faker is such al. to suggest
an unbalanced mind.-Register anes
Leader. N. !.
4 GOOD DEMOCRATIC supcTR,NE.,
Senator Moses e. Clapp of Mime