THE KING AND SHACKLETON INTERESTED.

West Coast Times, 3 September 1909, Page 3

THE KING AND SHACKLETON INTERESTED.

MORE INFORMATION DESIRED.

LONDON, .Sept. 2.— Lieut. Shaokleton, who is in London, and King Edward, at Marienbad, are highly interested in the exploit of Dr Cook, and in the message of the .Greenland Inspector received in Copenhagen.

The news had a great effect mi London, the city being startled. The Times remarks that the evidences are as yet very incomplete, but the news has the apearance of being honu fide. It also states that "Dr Cook's previous lecord of Arctic exploration' must l>e taken seriously in considering the present case. A later message from the Shetland Islands conveys a rumour current there that Cook's achievement is not so great as appears to be the case. This is j that it was stated at Lerwiek, after the Hensegede's departure yesterday, that .Dr Cook had merely reached the North Magnetic Pole. There is, however, no confirmation of the Irnth of this. If Dr Cook has only reached the Magnetic Pole, his exploit is not so remarkable, as it was reached over 60 years ago by Captain Ross, *vho attained the feat in 1836. Lieut. Shackleton states that if Dr Cook proves to have reached the North Pole itself his achievement i.s an astonishing one under the circumstances in which he travelled. He calculates that Dr Cook in his journey there must have covered 483 miles in tlnrty-l.ve I days.