THE NORTH POLE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2605, 13 September 1909, Page 5

THE NORTH POLE

PEARY’S QUARREL WITH COOK

United Piucss Association— Copyright LONDON, Sept. 10.

The “Morning Post” comments on Commander Peary’s remarkable rate of travel, which equals that of Dr Cook. It shows that during the day’s actual marching Commander Peary covered 16 miles daily, and the closing stages of the northward journey were covered at the rapidity of 35 miles a day. The phenomenal rapidity suggests the possibility of Commander Peary having miscalculated his position.

Dr Cook’s partisans claim that Commander Peary’s figures confirm Dr. Cook’s story. Captain Amundsen, discoverer of the North-West Passage, declares Dr Cook to be the most honest man he ever met, and justified his not risking instrument observations of the long and dangerous sledge tour from Etah to Upernivik. LONDON, Sept. 10. The “Times” has received the second portion of Commander Peary’s narrative as supplied to the New York “Times,” from the 18th August until the expedition, was near the 88th parallel, when Bartlett, the Roosevelt’s captain, turned back in accordance with pre-arrangements, to constitute supporting parties. The narrative records monotonous experiences of snow and haze and the difficulties of negotiating leads of water. Dr Cook’s friends allege that the quarrel with Commander Peary began during, the Polar expedition of 1901, Peary monopolising the comforts. Several explorers attach no importance to what the Eskimos say on one side or the other. COOK LEAVES COPENHAGEN—AN ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL. (Received September 12, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, Sept. 11. Dr. Cook has left. He had an enthusiastic farewell. The shipping in the harbor was dressed with bunting. He sailed direct for New York. PEARY ASSERTS COOK NEVER REACHED THE POLE. NEW YORK, Sept. 11. Commander Peary telegraphs that he will prove that Dr. Cook never reached, the Pole. The United States Geodetic Survey Department has offered to arbitrate between the claims of Peary and Cook. The “Times” continues Peary’s record. Beyond the 88th parallel he covered 20 miles in one day, the dogs {sometimes running. The jice was grinding in every direction, and the keen air was like frozen steel. A few miles from the Pole there was scarcely any snow. He covered 40 miles in 12 hours, and stopped 30 hours with four Eskimos at the Pole, where he planted flags. There was no special incident while he was returning to Colombia, where he arrived almost lifeless with fatigue.