THE NORTH POLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2733, 11 February 1910, Page 2

THE NORTH POLE.

Dll. COOK DISCREDITED. LONDON, Dec. 24. J)r. Cook, v/ho claimed the honor of being the first mad to reach the North' Role, has been finally discredited, the Copenhagen scientists declaring that the iamousk, “records” contain no proof whatever that lie was at any time near the Pole. Dr. Cook has been hiding ever since the end of November, and has vouchsafed no reply to the allegations of the two men, Loose and Dunkle, who, on November 7th, declared that they concocted his diary and records lor him. It appears that Loose’s astronomical observations were not sent to Copenhagen after all, since no mention is made of them in the scientists’ report. His whereabouts is still a mystery. The scientists’ decision has caused enormous excitement among th e . Danish people, who have, rip to now, firmly believed in Dr. Cook’s honesty. The revulsion of feeling is very violent. The Crown Prince is extremely angry with the Danish scientists ami with the Greenland commercial administration who introduced Dr. Cook and fathered his claims. King Frederick, however, is unperturbed, since, although urgently requested to do so, he refused to decorate Dr. Cook with Danish Orders. In fact, his Majesty is in good spirits because he personally declined to believe in Dr. Cook. THE REPORT.

The Copenhagen University Council presented its report on Tuesday, regarding the committee formed to examine the records of Dr. Cook’s Arctic journey. It is declared that tho committee, in addition to the members previously mentioned, was strengthened by the inclusion of M. Knud Rasmussen, the Danish explorer. The report which was sent in by the committee on December 18th states that the following papers were submitted to it for investigation:—(l) A typewritten report by Mr. Lonsdale (Dr. Cook’s secretary) on Dr. Cook’s Arctic voyage, consisting of 61 folios. (2) A typewritten copy of sixteen folios made by Air. Lonsdale, comprising the notebooks brought hack by Dr. Cook from his journey, covering the period from March 18th to June .13, 1908, stated to have been written on the way from Svartevaag to the Pole and back until a place west of Heiberg Island was reached. The- papers did not include any covering letter from Dr. Cook. Mr. Lonsdale stated that the original notebooks had, as a measure of precaution, been sent to Europe by another rout e.

Thereupon the committee called upon Air. Lonsdale and put some questions to him. Air. Lonsdale brought with him a letter from Dr. Cook which contained no place or origin or date, and the envelope of which was stamped, Marseilles, December 14th, 1909. The envelope also contained a letter to the former university rector, Dr. Thor]), dated New York, September 27tli, 1909, in which Dr. Cook stated that not only his instruments, but most of •his astronomical observations had been left behind at Etah, ami that without these it appeared “unwise and impossible” to- pronounce a final judgment. The committee points out, as a result of its investigations, that the aforementioned report of the- journey is essentially identical with that published some time ago in the New York “Herald,” and that the copy of the notebooks’ contain no astronomical records, but only -results, in fact, tne committee remaiks that there are no elucidatory statements which might have rendered it probable that astronomical observations were really taken. Nor is the story of the sledge journey illuminated by details in such a way as to enable the committee to form an opinion. The committee, therefore, considers that from the material submitted no proof can be adduced that Dr. Cook reached the North Polo.