The Washington herald., 1911-01-07
PBARY WILL TELL
OF RUSH TO POLE
Explorer to Appear Before
Naval Committee.
PROOFS WILL BE SUBMITTED
After Formally Is Gone Through in
standardization of Officers Claim
to BE Discoverer, Recommendation
Will Be Made that He he Re-
tired as Rear Admiral.

Commander Peary, the arctic explorer,
will appear before a subcommittee of the
House Committee on Naval Affairs at 10
o'clock this morning to present proofs in
substantiation of his claim that he
reached the north pole. After this for
mality has been gone through with. it is
quite probable that the subcommittee
will recommend to the full committee,
which will concur, that Mr.. Peary be
placed on the retired list of the navy
with the rank and pay of rear admiral
of the staff.
AT the last session of Congress, when
proposal to have Congress honor MIR.
Peary was turned down by the Naval
Affairs Committee. an invitation was eX-
tended to Mr.. Peary to appear and pre-
sent his proofs. He declined at that
time. owing to the fact that his book
detailing his story of the discovery of
the pole had not been published and his
contract with his publishers did not per-
nit him any latitude in the matter.
willing to Talk Now.
Now. however. it is understood that he
is more than willing to submit all his
records to Congress
Pennsylvania. who is Mr.. Peary's
champion on the Naval Committee, read
to the committee two letters received
fl en- the Royal Geographical Society of
LONDON. stating that the society's coun-
Gil has carefully examined Mr.. Peary :
records and has finally determined. by
unanimous opinion, that Peary reached
the north pole.
The society gave Mr.. Peary a big gold
medal months ago on the say-so of the
National Geographic Society of this
country. but only recently completed an
independent examination OF the Peary
records for itself. This is the first an
ncuncement of the result.
Text Of Lettera.
Tho letters follow:
ROYAL Geographical Society
RaIille Row. Burlington Gardens. London W.
Derrmhrr s. 1919.
Commander Il. f. Peary. IaGle Island. South
HarTswell. Me-. United States.
Dear Commander Pearv: Pleas acrept n,Ir SinCrra
thanks for the documents Won have us. includ-
ing copies Of the observations taken Nv You at the
p0le. Thcy have Leen thoroughly examined nv ,ls
In the opir:on IF NY council there Is rothinc in
this r any lther matter which has CRIME to
hei- notice that in any affects the I.sition in
dicated by me. when I. on behalf Of the society
presented You with SPECIAL gold medal al the Al
bert Hall for your explorations during whiCh yor
were the first to reach pole Of the earth.
With best wishes believe me- years sincerely
LEONARD DARWIN
President r q. s.
THE ATHENAEUM
Tall Mall s. W.. Dersmbcr = 1910
Dear Commander Pearv:
You will receive official letter frnm Mai Oar
win. thanking yum for Communicating coIaes of
yoIr polar rcSDrds TO the X. q. s. and stating
that they have been most thoroughly and critically
examined by cur scientific instructor who takes
kl. of that b.
mittee of The United States Geographic Society.
on whose report the council Cf the H. 6. \ acted.
Having accepted this report final. cur council
felt "A certain difficulty in saying anything further
But snne ri us held that hare Acknowledge
incnt {" yo'lr Courtesy IN communicating rscnrds
might he orsn to Misrepresentation. and that II
WAS due to YOU to prevent this risk by stating
explicitly the result Of the independent examination
made in CfiC<s. trust that the course followed
may Be satis:act, ~ to you.
With kind regards and all Gocd wishes for the
New Year believe me. YOURS very truly
DOUGLAS W. FRESHFIELD
Member. Il. Il. 5. Council.