DR. COOK'S TRIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 9

DR. COOK'S TRIP.

CUR lOUS DISCLOSUR IvS. Mr. Kmul Rasmussen, at present at Cape Yoru, (iruHiUind, has (says a Home paper) .through native (ireenlaml missionaries, the Revs. Gustav Olsen and Sechmann Rosbaeh, who are quite disinterested in the l'i>lar controvei'sv, obtained a report from Dr. Cook's companions, Ituknsuk and Apilak, whom Rasmussen describes as very capable and able men. According to this report, which is written by the missionaries in accordance with the narrative of the Eskimaux, the expedition left Aliaritok in February with eight sledges. After eighteen days' journey the greater part of the expedition went back, having reached a point about ten miles from land in the Polar Sea.

Dr. Cook, with bis two companions, continued in a northerly direction on excellent ice, and on the following day Dr. Cook took observations of the sun. This being done, the expedition returned to the shore, keeping a more westerly route than on the way out. On the return journey they met open water near the shore. They waited for one day, and then reached the land, along which'they continued their journey for one day. ' As Dr. Cook was drawing a route on a map Apilnk asked him, "What route is that?" "My own," Dr. Cook answered. "But that was a lie," Apilak added, "for the route drawn was far out to sea, where Dr. Cook 'had never been."

The expedition then passed Jones Sound, and reached Cape Spar-boo, where the party lived on seals, musk ox, and bears. Further away, in a south-easter-ly direction, the bears commenced to be shy, a fact that led us to suppose that human being were near. However, owing to the ice drifting on to the shore, and to their provisions becoming low, they returned to Cape Sparboro to winter.' There.they built a house of stone and turf, and laid in provisions of bear and musk oxen meat. Their provisions were very ample, and they boiled meat every tla'v. They passed the winter making clothes, and Dr. Cook spent much time writing. On the. re-appearance of the sun the party started on the return journey. It experienced on the whole fine weather, and left the sledge a little before reaching Anaritok. Continuing, the Eskimau said: Dr. Cook, Who had promised a good reward, cheated us, and we did not get the guns he promised us. He gave us a knife, matches, and an unserviceable boat. He sold the guns for fox skins. Knud Rasumussen, who sent the above report from his motor schooner, which recently returned from Cape York, where he still is, adds: So long as Dr. Cook was together with his two companion! he did not mention having been at the Pole, but spoke of having been on a long and tiresome journey. His companion did not believe in the possibility _ of a white man deceiving them. This is the reason why the Eskimaux here, during mv visit last summer, had a different opinion of Dr. Cook's journey. With reference to Commander Peary's Polar expedition, Knud Rasmnssen forwards a report obtained in the same way as the other, and told by the Eskimaux Tgganguak and T'kujak, who accompanied Commander Peary. The exiwdition started in March from the ship, a number of sledges with provisions being sent on ahead. On the whole, the journey was favored by -fine weather. Three days from land open water appeared, and after crossing this the expedition continued on its way. The ice was good, and only now and again screw ice was met with. Commander Peary often took observations, and for some time Captain Eartlett was in advance, but then Commander Peary overtook him and assumed the lead. The expedition had now reached a point so far north that the sun, although it was night-time, was high in the sky, and moved in a circle without going up or clown. Commander Peary now ordered the party to stop, and he himself continued the journey with two men. lie returned the same day, and on returning to his companions he remarked, "I have succeeded in reaching what I wanted." The expedition remained two months on the same spot, Commander Peary making observations. During the last night the Commander did not sleep at all. On the way back the weather wa v ; again fine. At the Pole the Ekimaux did not notice Commander Peary's joy, but when he returned to the ship he made a big feast for the whole company.