AMERICA "ON TOP."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1909, Page 6

AMERICA "ON TOP."

Whatever the ultimate verdict may be on Dr. Cook's exploit, our tidings toiday of Commander Peary's success fully confirms the claim of the United States to the "blue ribbon" of exploration. Anything more dramatic than the present situation could scarcely bo imagined. The commander of a great polar expedition, returning triumphant from his quest of the "huD" of the earth, finds that for five days the world has been ringing with the news that the crowning discovery has been anticipated — anticipated almost a year before, if the dates are to be accepted, though made known only within a week. In the controversy whicji is sure to arise, and" in which feeling may quite possibly run high, it is matter for congratulation that the disputation will affect domestic interests only. If the respective claimants were, say, JBriti&h and American, the irrelevant "patriotic" element could not ■have fceen excluded from the discussion, and innumerable disputants on each side, indifferent to historic considerations, would have considered themselves bound to assert the claims oi their own countrymen. We notice that no one so far questions the authenticity ot Commander (Peary' 6 news. Here, as we have already pointed out, a regularly organised expedition has a great advantage over an individual explorer, whose statements are liable to be challenged on all points. Already, as we have shown, Cook's almost incredible minimum temperature appears to have been the main point of attack. We showed that a. discrepancy of 32 degrees F. in different accounts pointed to a mistake " in conversion ot 6cales. But it now ' appears that in addition there was an initial error in reporting. « Ccatigsftdo Wftus reading

for a Fahrenheit, which removes the chief presumption against the credibility of Dr. Cook's figures. As the "story" comes in, Dr. Cook's brilliant feat will fall into a truer perspective. It is impossible that the work of any one man in such conditions could compare in value with that of a well-equipped and organised expedition of scientific experts. And it is wholly unnecessary to disparage the work of any man or company of men to exalt others. As for the ethical aspects, to which we referred yesterday, they are sure to be very thoroughly discussed during the next few- weeks, and Cook's record, in particular, will be closely scrutinised. The fact that Peary found no traces of his -former colleague nas no real significance— it would, indeed, have been more remarkable if he had. The controversial questions are such as 1 to make it absolutely necessary to reserve judgment till the facts become public property. .Meantime, it is in order to congratulate the United States on- her achievement.