THE NORTH POLE EXPEDITION

West Coast Times, 7 September 1909, Page 3

THE NORTH POLE EXPEDITION

DR COOK CROSS-EXAMINF-D

[per press association.— copyright

LONDON, Sept. 6.— The manager of Luna Park, a Coney Island resort, has cabled to Dr Cook an offer of £50,000 sterling for a series of 250 lectures.

Dr Cook adheres to all his statements, notably the 117 degrees below zero Fahreneit. Peary recorded 65 and Shackleton 56.

Admiral Nares points out many reasons for his scepticism. He blames Dr Cook for taking Peary's Eskimos, whom Peary kept alive and trained for years. He did this apparently without consulting Peary. Bradley who bore a large portion of the expense: of Dr Cook's^ expedition, estimates it at 90,000 dollars.

COPENHAGEN, Sept. 6.— Dr Cook had a tremendous reception at Copenhagen. In reply to the critics he stated that he had deposited the records of the journey in a sealed tube, on a place where the north pole was located namely Ice, which was drifting eastward.

NEW York, Sept. 6.— President Taft cabled to Dr Cook as follows :— "Your report thait you reached the Pole, calls for my heartiest congratulations, and the news stirs the pride of all Americans, that the feat which so long had baffled the world was accomplished by the intelligence and wonderful endurMr Bradley states that Dr Cook had a valuable sextant in aluminium, al compasses, artificial horizontal barometer, some thermometer charts, 5000 gallons of gasoline coal sufficient for three years, a hickory built sledge, 100 gallons of alcohol, 25 guns which were given him as presents, biscuits, axes, tobacco and other things dear to the Eskimo's heart, including 10,000 boxes of matches, for there is scarcely j anj'thing the Eskimo appreciates so highly. The details of the equipment were kept secret in order to forestall Peary. Ho adds that Cook's collapsible canvas boat enabled him to cross lanes of water obstructing the course. The dogs sledges usually could easily cover 60 miles d day over reasonably good ice. SYDNEY, Sept 6.— Professor David and other experts declare the temperature recorded by Dr Cook though improbable, is not impossible. A suitably provided man could endure it with out much difficulty.

LONDON, Sept. 6.

The Times special correspondent, and Mr W. T. Stead searchingly crossexamined Dr Cook in the presence of 60 journalists. The Times representative and Mr Stead were entirely satisfied with Dr Cook's answers, who,they said, "was an upright, . honaH man."

The Daily Chronicle's correepo' l " 6ll * is sceptical but the Daily Mail states the majority of correspondents on mo away with a full belief in the narrative Dr Cook stated that the lowest temperature was 83 degrees fahrenhsit below zero and not ccntrigrade, which was due to' a telegraphic- error, .lie too. 100 photos which are still undewloped. The sextant and practica'ly ;>l\ the instrument and records are \e*c &t Etah for direct shipment to America. •>i Cook afterwards dined witii the King of Denmark and the Royal Family.

LONDON, Sept. 6.— Knud Raasmussen, the Danish Polav explorer, interviewed the -Cape York Eskimos who accompanied Dr Cook. They corroborate some of Cook's statements.