The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1909 THE NORTH POLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2601, 8 September 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8,1909 THE NORTH POLE.

There is now no reasonable doubt that that mysterious and elusive fixture*, the North Pole, which has baffled the pursuit of hardy and adventurous explorers for centuries has at last been discovered, and that the achievement stands to the credit of an American. It is true that the London “Daily Mail’ declares' Dr. F. A. Cook’s narrative to be bald and unconvincing, but as against this we have the fact that sixty newspaper men have met the explorer at Copenhagen, and have been convinced of the accuracy of his statements. Withal it must be admitted that the easy facility with which some newspaper men will jump at any “story” that seems .to constitute a journalistic scoop' should somewhat discounts their special ability as critics in this connection. ’’ Even the London “Times,” which has been specially mentioned by reason of its representative having been satisfied is on record as having been terribly hoodwinked and held up to public ridicule by one Piggot, some years ago. Still more unfortunate is the special mention of Mr. W. T. Stead, for this brilliant journalist is surely tile last person who should have been despatched to Copenhagen to test the bona fides of an alleged Pole-finder. Mr. Stead has earned a world-wide reputation for his faith in spooks and other demonstrations of the spirit world, and the man who is so ready to accept extraordinary statements would probably fall an easy prey to a plausible Munchausen. There is, morover, something delightfully simple about the manner in which Dr. Cook dealt with those who asked for proof that he had really reached the North Pole. Said he: “I placed records of the journey in a sealed tube on the spot where the Pole was located, namely, ice which was drifting eastward.” If the doctor had desired to equivocate he could hardly have chosen a Simpler method. In effect, ho says: “I reached the Pole all right, and-left proofs of the fact, but it is no use your going to look for them, as they will have vanished long ago.” Certainly, there is ground for the “Daily Mail’s” scepticism, but all the same we are with those who have allowed themselves to be convinced. In taking this view we /are actuated by the belief hat the feat, though a grand one, is by no means so extraordinary as to appear impossible under tho circum-. stances now existent. Dr. Cook had the advantage of the experience gained by scores of previous Arctic explorers, and of a former attempt made by himself. He was not hampered by shortage of funds, for no less than £IB,OOO was furnished for his expedition. Already Commander, Peary had succeeded in getting within 200 miles of the Pole, and from-the knowledge gained in his last effort was confident that the feat would be accomplished by someone before many years had passed. An American named Mr. Bradley, who seems to have been Dr. Cook’s chief financial backer, declares ’that the dog sledges can cover 60 miles per day on reasonably smooth ice, and as this seems to have been the main feature of the landscape over the last 100 miles of the journey, the task was by no means an impossible one. Under such conditions it was only necessary for Dr. Cook to. brave the dangers and privations common to the Arctic Circle for a matter of : four days longer after leaving Commander Peary’s best mark in order to gain the coveted honor. His arrangements appear to have been most complete, and everything likely to be necessary to success was provided for. That he was confident of his ability to reach the Pole seems to have been established by the

secrecy with which he went about his preparations. As Mr. Bradley said, the doctor was anxious to forestall his explorer rival, and, sure enough, ho did, even to'the extent of colli nog He veteran’s trained Esquimos to help him on the way, without going through the formality of asking< Peary’s permission. Since the foregoing was written news has arrrived that Dr. Cook’s compatriot, the gallant and persevering Peary, has undoubtedly reached the North Pole. This fact is, to some extent, proof of the truth of the statement made by Dr. Cook, since it shows that the Pole is not inaccessible. It is noteworthy, however, that the messages announcing the success of Peary contain no mention of the' discovery by the latter of any trace of the records which Dr. Cook claims to have deposited at the place where he located the Pole, nearly twelve months before Pe.ary reached it. This may he taken as evidence on the other side. In any case, whether “nailed to the Pole” by Cook or Peary, to the Stars and Stripes belongs the honor of being the first flag flown at the North Pole. One result of this will, possibly, be a revival of the enthusiasm for Antarctic exploration in Britain. As Lncle Sam lias “annexed” the North Pole, John Bull will surely not rest content until he has established a similar claim to the South Pole.