DR. COOK CENSURED.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13613, 23 December 1909, Page 7

DR. COOK CENSURED.

HOSTILE PRESS CRITICISM

(Received December 22nd, 10.55 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, December 22. The report of the committee of investigation (which included Mr Knud Rasinussen, the well-known Arctic explorer) states that Dr Cook submitteel a type-written report essentially identical with that supplied to thc "NewYork Herald," and copies of note-books which contain no astronomical records. The committee censures Dr. Cook tor submitting a report lacking in clear information, and which is inadmissible to a degree. The original note-books were not prodvced. Mr Lonsdale, Dr. Cook's secretary, states that he sent these by another route in order to frustrate a plot to steal them. Press comment in London and New '.orl: suggests that the report ends Dr. Cook's pretensions. Mr Knud Rasmussen, who was a member of the investigating committee appointed by the Danish University, is regarded as tho highest authority upon Eskimos and their life, and also one of the greatest authorities upon travel in the Polar regions. On October 21st a remarkable preliminary report by Rasmussen was published. This report, based in tho main upon enquiries among the Eskimos, confirmed all that Dr. Cook had said. Rasmussen was the only white man who saw Dr. Cook start, and the only man with a knowledge of the Eskimo language (he is part Eskimo himself) who had been in actual contact with the natives in the region from which Dr. Cook took ins guides. Ho declared h\s absolute faith in the explorer, and stated that tho Eskimos believed that Cook reached the goal. In face of theso facts xne finding of the committee is all tno more significant.