Springfield weekly Republican. [volume], September 09, 1909, Page 10, Image 10

About Springfield weekly Republican. [volume] (Springfield, Mass.) 1851-1946

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COOK RECEIVES BIG OFFERS.
BOOKS AND LECTURES IN DEMAND
HELPED BY PEARY -DISCOVERY.”
Explorer Gives Address at Copen
hagen But Adds Little New to
What He Has Already Said.
One of the most remarkable results of
Comdr Peary’s rivalry with Dr Cook for
the discovery of the pole is that Dr Cook’s
profits from the enterprise are likely to
be largely increased. He received at
Copenhagen Tuesday offers for his books
and lectures at twice the figures previously
tendered. One American, of the highest
standing, cabled terms almost startling,
and, it is believed, far beyond any sum
hitherto paid for such work. Dr Cook is
likely to accept this offer.
The controversy is beginning to wage
warmer at Copenhagen. Comdr Peary's
statement is unanimously accepted as true,
but there is a very large following faith
ful to Dr Cook. His lecture before the ge
ographical society Tuesday night, however,
added little to tue information he had al
ready given out with reference to his ex
pedition, and he repeated the declaration
of his intention to withhold details until
the publication of his book. The king and
queen, Prince and Princess George of
Greece and many of the members of the
royal family, together with a large gather
ing of the most prominent people in Copen
hagen. Tuesday evening witnessed the
presentation to Dr Cook of a gold
medal by the crown prince, and lis
tened to the explorer's lecture after
ward. Standing in front of an im
mense map of the Arctic regions,
which was surmounted by tue stars and
stripes. Dr Cook outlined his progress to
the north pole. In introducing the ex
plorer. the crown prince said that his re
ception in Greenland and at Copenhagen
showed the way the Danes appreciated
his wonderful exploit. The prince then
begged the honor of presenting to him the
medal of the geographical society. Dr
Cook told his story coolly and without hes
itation. hut must of his statements had
been given out before.
"It is too early," said the explorer, “to
give the general results of the expedition.
Time is required to digest the work of
polar effort. Yon have not allowed time
to Copenhagen. This northward dash has
occupied the minds of men for more than
3(M> years. Slowly and surely the ladder
i f latitudes has been climbed with various
degrees of success. Experience was gained
and each expedition profited by the misfor
tunes of its predecessors. The failure of
one expedition led to the success of sub
sequent efforts.
"The art of polar travel has been creat
ed. and this art was the nucleus of our
equipment. We changed tactics to suit
our purpose, but I am bound to acknowl
edge at the outset that success would not
have been possible without the less for
tunate forerunners. All honor to the pio
neers. the pathfinders to the pole, the earli
er explorers. We are particularly indebt
ed to Nansen and Peary and many Danish
explorers for the last stages of polar
progress. In my ease I am especially in
debted to Capt Sverdrup, who is here to
night. ’
"Although profiting by other ventures,
our expeditions differed in some important
respects. The route we selected I had
planned out roars ago as a result of read
ing the splendid narrative of Sverdrup.
About the middle of 1907. when we start
ed. the pole was no part of the program,
which aimed altogether at study and rec
reation. with the pole possibly as a fu
ture problem."
Then the explorer went over the prep
arations for his departure and the jour
ney. his recital being similar to that al
ready published. He cleared up the doubts
about the lowest temperature recorded,
which he reiterated was S 3 degrees below
zero. Fahrenheit. He said he had no
doubt that the observations made would
prove that he had been on and around the
Iklth degree. "If I have been within a
circle, a kilometer in diameter, where the
pole is situated.’’ exclaimed the explorer.
"I am satisfied that that is quite sufficient
for practical purposes. I will say no more
until my book is published.”
When shown the dispatch which said
that Comdr Peary claimed to be the first
man to reach the north pole, Dr Cook
said: "Comdr Peary, of course, can say
whatever he wishes. lam not accustomed
to indulge in controversies. All I have
to say about Comdr Peary is that if lie
says he readied the north pole, I believe
he reached the north pole."
With regard to the statement that he
had chosen the western route to avoid ob
servation by his competitors, Dr Cook said
that he could only repeat the statement
made in his speeches and lecture, that he
had selected tue western route simply as
a result of a careful study of Sverdrup's
explorations, which convinced him that
that was the most feasible road to the
pole. Speeches at the dinner were made
by the secretarv of the geographical soci
ety. M Oiafsen, Prof C. H. Scharling and
Prof Valdemar Schmidt of the university
of Copenhagen and Commodore Hovgaard.
At the conclusion of Dr Cook’s lecture the
rector of the university strongly reaffirmed
his belief that the journey had bec-n ac
complished as described.
COOK SAYS "I AM GLAD.”
Hears of Peary’s Sueeeaa—Had Sog
gested Possibility.
Copenhagen was electrified Monday night
by the report of Comdr Peary’s announce
ment that he had reached the north pole.
Dr Cook was immensely interested and
said: "That is good news. 1 hope Peary
did get to the pole. His observations and
reports on that region will confirm mine.”
It is doubtful if history furnishes a more
dramatic episode than the breaking of the
news to Dr Cook that Peary had realized
the goal of his life's ambition and repeated
struggles. Dr Cook was seated at a din
ner. surrounded by explorers and corre
•pondente. in the gilded ballroom of the
Tivoli casino. Around his neck was hung
it garland of pink roses, according to the
Scandinavian method of honoring heroes
• —which the explorer wore hlnsbingly nnd
with visible embarrassment. Several
speeches acclaiming him had lieen given,
and repeated toasts to him drunk with
clamorous cheers.
Amid this scene a whisper went around
that Peary had planted the stars and
stripes at th^ pole. Cook was perfectly
cool and unmoved. He made a striking
speech, in which he paid high tribute to
the work of Sverdrup, who sat near, to
whose discoveries he largely owed his suc
cess, to John K. Bradley, who had financed
the expedition. to "the intelligence, en
durance and faithfulness” of the Eskimos
who had assisted in the preparations and
those who had accompanied him. Th?
whole story of the expedition, he said,
has not come out. and will not conic out
forxsome time; nor will it come in instal
ments. but only when it is completed.
Dr Cook did not permit the whispers
which came to his ear of Peary’s success
to move him in the least, but when he
had finished he was surrounded by corre
spondents, who looked for some sign of
emotion, hut the explorer said, smilingly,
“I am glad." Asked if there was no prov
ability of Peary's having found the tube
containing Ms reports, Dr Cook replied. "1
hope so. but that is doubtful on account
of the drift." Dr Cook add 'd: "Comdr
Peary would have reached the pole thia
year. Probably whila I waa in the Arctic
: regions last year his route was several
: hundred miles east of mine. We are rivals.
: of course, but the pole is good enough for
J two.
i "That two men got to the pole along
' different paths.” continued the explorer,
i "should furnish large additions X 0 sclent:tic
। knowledge. Probably other parties w.ll
reach it in the next 10 years, since every
■ explorer is helped bj the experience of ms
' predecessors, just as Sverdrup's observa-
I lions and reports were of immeasurable
j help to me. I can say nothing more with
: out knowing further details than that I
| am glad of it."
i While Dr Cook was conversing casually
, Monday morning with American friends
! the possibility of the denoument which
i electrified the world was laughingly sug
t gested- Dr Cook remarked: "It is quite
| possible that Peary will turn up now. He
I is about due to ge’t back, if he carries out
i his plans. Wo have always been friends,
j IVhile. of course, we are rivals in the at
i tempt to find the pole, but we have been
friendly rivals."
COULDN’T FAKE OBSERVATIONS.
Capt Winterhalter Believes Cook’s
Diary 'W*tll Tell the Truth.
"It is not fair to doubt Dr Cook's word
in the absence of any evidence whatever
against him.” said Capt A. G. Winter
halter of the navy, chief of the hydro
graphic office at Washington. Monday.
"Not one time in a hundred thousand.” he
said, "would Dr Cook be able successfully
to fake astronomical observations. I have
Imd much experience in making observa
tions and compilations from them, and I
speak from my own knowledge in such
matters. Fake observations from day to
day could not possibly be continued for
any length of time without detection, and
why not wait until access is had to Dr
Cook's records and books. These, in my
opinion, will clear every question as to his
actually having reached the pole. If they
do not it will then be quite time enough
to cast aspersion upon him."
Prof Willis L. Moore, the chief of the
weather bureau, acting secretary of agri
culture and president of the National geo
graphic society, said: "From all accounts
of Dr Cook's trip. I feel satisfied of the
authenticity of the whole matter. I see
nothing in the narrative as told by Dr
Cook that should cause any apprehension
or doubt about the actual performance of
the feat." I believe in holding the -whole
matter of the claim of discovery of the
north pole in abeyance until adequate
proof is submitted,” declared Prof Henry
Gannett Monday. Prof Gannett has a
world-wide fame as a geographer and
author of scientific works. "Holding the
matter in abeyance does not imply any
especial disbelief in the man.”
LONDON PAPERS FRIENDLY.
As a Rale They Think Cook lx
Speaking; the Truth.
“Dr Cook's statements in Denmark in
support of his claim have rather strength
ened than otherwise the doubts as to the
value of his observations." This sentence
from the London Morning Post Monday
is representative of the attitude still
held by a section of the London daily
newspapers, which, while insisting upon
the necessity of preserving an open mind
pending the production of the details of
Dr Cook's scientific observations. and
diaries, express some surprise that the lat
ter hare been sent to the United States
instead of brought with him for immedi
ate production.
The Daily Telegraph, which hitherto has
been a whole-hearted defender of Dr
Cook, and even to-day admits that his
reticence is both reasonable and discreet,
confesses that any delay, however inevita
ble. is bound to act detrimentally to the
explorer's immediate position. It further
points out that a similar controversy might
have arisen over Capt Amundsen's pene
tration of the Northwest passage, had it
not been so easy to prove.
The Daily News in an editorial strongly
supports Dr Cook. It thinks that he
has emerged triumphant from a severe
cross-examination and that even probable
or absolute proof that he reached the pole
will never be forthcoming. "Unless Dr
Cook's power of judgment has been im
paired by cold, hardships and loneliness.”
says the paper, “the evidence for the truth
of his story seems stronger than the pos
sibility either that his observations were
wrong or that he has deliberately chosen
to make an April fool of the whole civilized
world.”
The Daily Chronicle, in a highly skepti
cal article, asks how Cook sent his diaries
to America, and why, if he was able to
send them to America from Greenland,
he did not go to America first himself. It
points out that in the conditions Dr Cook
describes as prevailing at the pole the
amount of refraction prevailing would be
enormous, the sun appearing, not as a
disc, but as a mere blurred oblong, and. to
talk of observation of the minuteness of
"14 seconds” is pure nonsense, because,
says the paper, “the liability to error
would amount to several miles.” The
Chronicle further wants to know what
kind of an artificial horizon Dr Cook used.
If it was of mercury it would freeze, and,
if not frozen, would tremble so violently
as to be useless for observation purposes,
if. as he relates, there was a moving sea
under the ice.
AS TO ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.
Dr Cook Saya He Employed Not Mer
cury, But Glass.
Dr Stromgren, professor of astronomy of
the university, of Copenhagen, who has
interviewed Dr Cook on behalf of the uni
versity, gave out a statement at Copen
hagen Monday, saying he had no reason
whatever to doubt the fact that Dr Cook
had reached the north pole, or at least its
immediate vicinity. The details first pub
lished, which from the astronomical point
of view raised doubts have proved on
closer examination to be misunderstand
ings. From the scientific standpoint. Dr
Stromgren said, there was nothing what
ever to object to in Dr Cook's method in
using an artificial horizon of glass.
Commenting upon the criticism regarding
the use of an artificial horizon. Dr Cook
said Monday that he had not employed
mercury, but glass, and that the objection
based on the trembling caused by the
moving of the sea fell to the ground.
The geographical society cannot grant the
explorer its gold medal because a majority
of the members are at present a wav oil
vacation. But this honor will be given
later. The cartographic department of the
government is drawing up a large stale
map of Dr Cook’s route, which will 1,.,
show u during the explorer's public lecture.
German Sclentista Congratnlate Cook.
Two of the leading societies of geogra
phers of Germany, the Berlin and the
Hamburg associations, have congratulated
Dr Cook on his discovery of the north
pole. The managing committees of each
society met and decided duly upon this
recognition. The Berlin committee ex
pressed the opinion that it had no right
to withhold its acknowledgment from rm
honorable and experienced explorer such
as Dr Cook, and it sent its congratula
tions gladly. In doing this, however, the
committee does not consider that it for
mally accepts every statement of fact
made by Dr Cook: it simply gives general
recognition to his fine achievement.
Pope Plus is Interested.
The pope at Rome is keenly interested
in the story of Dr Cook’s achievement.
He expressed the opinion Monday that
one must believe in the truthfulness of a
man whose character had been tried by
such perils and who had faced death
alone. The pontiff was acquainted with
Lieut Querino, who died on the Abruzzi
1 expedition of 1900. and through him be-
THE SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY REPUBLICAN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1909.
came much interested in polar explora
tion.
Swedish King Recognises Cook.
The king of Sweden officially has recog
nized Dr Cook as the discoverer of the
north polo. Minister Egan at Copenhagen
has commanded the state department un
der Sunday’s date in effect that the king
through the Swedish minister at Copen
hagen lias congratulated the government
of the United States on the occasion of
Dr Cook’s discovery.
Points Ont Difference Between Cook
and Peary.
M Let asseur. the distinguished French
geographer, said al Paris Tuesday that
no doubt longer existed that the north pole
had been reached. "But there is this dif
ference between Comdr Peary and Dr
Cook." he continued, "sicentists will ac
cept at once the statement of Peary as
that of a man who has proofs. His
equipment was thorough and extensive,
and nothing was left to chance. Although
no details of his trip yet are available, we
can rest assured that this new success will
not bo welcomed with the same incredulity
as greeted the announcement of Dr Cook.
So far as Dr Cook is concerned, we await
a complete recital of his expedition before
making up our minds."
A Vigorous Defense of Cook.
~J. J. A. Bouquet de la Grye. the distin
guished geographer and member of the
academy of sciences, following his state
ment of Monday night, camo out at Paris
Tuesday with a vigorous defense of Dr
Cook, saying he had been aroused by Ine
persistent attacks on him. "Why suspect
Dr Cook more than the others and assume
that he is wrong'.'" tile savant asked. "It
is a small business: let us await his docu
ments. His observations can be controlea
easily by those of Comdr Peary and
either confirmed or refuted."
Mistook Cook for a Sea Lion.
Dr Gustave Staats, head of the National
medical college and hospital at Chicago,
who accompanied the Peary relief expedi
tion of which Dr Frederick Cook was a
member, told Saturday of some incidents
that happened during his acquaintance
with the discoverer of the north pole. Dr
Staats told of one close escape from death
of Dr Cook. He said: "Dr Cook had a
habit of sleeping on the ice in the summer
time. It was in July of 1901 that our
vessel was imprisoned in the ice near the
Arctic circle. Dr Cook had been making
his bed upon the ice near the ship for sev
eral days, although this fact was unknown
to several in the party. One morning some
members of the scientific staff started on a
hunting trip. One of them saw Cook,
wrapped in his fur blankets, asleep upon
the ice. In the dim light of that season he
was taken for a sea lion and one of the
men prepared to shoot. The men ap
proached the supposed sea lion, but recog
nized the sleeping physician before it was
too late.”
NOT TO GO AS ARCTIC EXPLORER.
Taft is Not Discussing America's New
Discovery—Senator Burrows Makes
a Call.
President Taft in bidding good-by at
Beverly Thursday to Walter Ely Clark,
who is to be inaugurated as governor of
Alaska on October 1 at Juneau, announced
that he probably would visit the far north
western territory next summer. The pres
ident had hoped to get to Alaska this year,
but the prolonged session of Congress
and the illness of Mrs Taft prevented. It
is reported that if the president should
go to Alaska next year he may extend the
trip to include the Hawaiian islands. Mr
Clark was with the president for more
than an hour Thursday afternoon. Sec
retary of State Knox also was present at
the conference.
Neither the president nor Secretary
Knox would discuss the reported discovery
of the north pole Thursday. When the
secretary was asked as to the etiquet of
what the state department ought to do
with the pole under the circumstances, he
laughingly replied. "Annex it. of course.”
President Taft hud a little touch of sciat
ica Thursday. The following statement
was given out at the executive offices
Thursday afternoon:—
“President Taft has been informed that
a telegram has been published in the St
Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch of the
following tenor:—
1 assure you ot my complete sympathy with
the plan to honor the Minnesota congres
sional delegation by a public ratification
meeting. William Howard Taft.
“Thepresident last week requested the press
associations to announce that no such tele
gram was sent by him to the Pioneer Press
or to anybody else.”
The editor of the Pioneer Press made the
following statement Thursday night in regard
to the telegram purporting to have come
from President Taft, which was published
in that paper: "The telegram purporting
to have been signed by President Taft was
received by the Pioneer Press through the
regular local news channels, and was print
ed in good faith. Following the discovery
of the fake, the Pioneer Press printed an
expose of it the following morning in black
type on the first page, and used every ef
fort to counteract the wrong impression
that had been created by the original pub
lication. This was followed with a de
tailed explanation of how the alleged tele
gram came to’ be printed. The Pioneer
Press has exhausted every means at its
command to correct its error, and has made
the correction much more prominent than
the original publication.”
Representative Tawney of Minnesota,
chairman of the House committee on ap
propriations, supported the president in
• his fight for tariff revision throughout, and
ci en went so far as to vote against the re
mainder of the delegation from his state
in favor of free lumber. During his trip
West the president will stop all of one
evening at Mr Tanney's home town of
Winona, and it has been reported that he
would take occasion to commend Mr
Tawney, although there has been no con
firmation of this intention.
BRIDGMAN SLURS COOK.
Sayn That the Etiquet of Polar Ex
ploration Warn Not Observed.
Herbert L. Bridgman, secretary of the
Peary Arctic club, and a recognized au
thority on Arctic exploration, contributes
an article to the New York Independent
which appeared yesterday on “The dash to
the pole." It was written before Comdr
Peary’s announcement had been made and
deals chiefly with Dr Frederick A. Cook’s
claim to having reached the pole on April
21. 1908. It says, in part:—
"The announcement that the north pole,
that lure of the century, has actually been
reached comes so suddenly and from a
quarter so unexpected that intelligent
judgment on the fact is difficult. Natu
rally writing for the public and forward
ing his account by cable, only the person
al and popular phases would be presented,
and any statement of scientific results or
data would be deferred. But Dr Cook would
probably not demand that scientific rank
and weight should be given to his expedi
tion. It was simply a duel with Nature;
matt, stripped for the fight, encumbered
only with tbe barest necessities, deter
mined to make a life and death struggle
for one thing only, the goal. But the world
will ask that science, though not directly
interested and served, shall verity the claim
and shall attest the result.
“And, therefore. Dr Cook will doubtless
bo only too willing to offer the data upon
which tbe confirmation of narrative will
rest. Records; diaries, note-books; loca
tions, courses nnd all indicatia so well
known to explorers will be produced aud
placed with the archives, either in origi
nal or in duplicate, of the principal geo
graphical societies of the world.
rind he, by tfhy possibility, opened any
of Peary's cairns nt t ape Thontns Hub
lard nr Cape Columbia, or any of Sver
drup’s in his Farthest Land and archipeln
go. the evidence wouM be conclusive aud
all the doubts forever silenced. Reading
between the lines and dismissing at once
for what thev mav be worth all the views,
opinions and’eomments with which the pa
pers are just now so heavily burdened,
the tnle stands or falls by itself and with
out witnesses or testimony."
After discussing past polar research and
the outlook for further exploration the ar
ticle continues. "Maybe this is not the
time nor the place to intrude ethics or eti
quet. Thus those who have followed Arc
tic matters do not forget that Peary made
all this possible and they reserve until the
tacts arc known tlieir judgment. Eskimos
had been trained b; him: land explored
and seas charted, and only an unlucky de
lay of ( ontraetors for which he was in no
way tesponsible. pt him at home in the
summer of 1907. Everybody knew the
fad. that his work was unfinished, post
poned and the fitting out of the "Bradley"
by stealth ithe Bradley" was Dr Cook's
shir>> equipped for field work and stores
and supplies for land and sen ice marches,
while, of course, within the prescriptive
rights of her owner, invited remark among
men who respect honor and observe fair
play.
"Peary's plans were all as open as the
day. and al! of his countrymen knew that.
15 years of dauntless and undaunted work,
in which ho had accomplished many times
more thap all who had preceded him. were
to be crowned by one final attempt to
reach the coveted goal of centuries. That
his men. methods and reasonings should
all be appropriated and the long struggle
finished before he had had his fair and
final opportunity is a transaction upon
which the American people will render
just, judgment when they know all the
facts. And in the meantime the past is
already secure. Patience nnd more light."
Mr Bridgman said at New York Tues
day that he did not wish, to enter into a
controversy on the matter of Dr Cook's
claim of prior discovery at this time. "But
it is only fair to say.” said Mr Bridgman,
"that the issue will be thoroughly and
definitely cleared up by (indisputable facts,
so that there will lie no doubt in the pub
lic mind as to the real facts." Mr Bridg
man said if Dr Cook had reached the north
pole if would be evident to all those fa
miliar with Arctic explorations that, he
owed much of his success to Comdr Peary,
whose plans and maps for reaching the
pole from a western course to allow for
the decidedly easterly "set” or drift of ice.
a condition discovered by Peary on his
previous trip furthest north, had undoubt
edly been followed by Dr Cook.
WELLMAN’S PLANS UNCHANGED.
Says Cook's Facts ^eem Possible, But
That Proofs Must be Furnished.
A dispatch to Paris from Christiania
Sunday to the Matin gives an interview
with Walter Wellman, while passing
through that city. concerning Dr Cook's
expedition. He was asked if Dr Cook's
success would change his plans, and he
replied that.he had not modified them. He
added that the facts stated by Dr Cook
seemed quite possible, but still proofs
thereof must be furnished, which would
be easy if the explorer could produce
exact observations, which experts could
verify.
The Cook expedition has in no way
diminished interest in Wellman's plans.
These are diametrically opposed to those
followed by Dr Cook, who accomplished
a remarkable physical feat, while Mr
Wellman wished to prove the efficacy of
a more modern mode of locomotion. He
is of the opinion that Zeppelin will not
get . ahead of him. His airship has not
been greatly damaged and all would be
ready in June. The shed has been com
plete reconstructed. Mr Wellman con
cluded by saying, “I want to get to the
pole."
STARS AND STRIPES AT THE POLE.
Past hundreds frozen oh the road
The single hero,.qnwqrd. strode,
Across the untrod lee and snow
The gallant Cook., and Esquimo
Rushed on. a fearless band.
The stars and stripes are at the pole!
The flag of freedom won the goal!
A cheer for Yankee-land!
The tyrant lord of that dread zone
Bowed low to this one soul alone:
King Winter's arms of frost and sleet
Had foundered many a venturing fleet
Around that mystic land;
For him fate stayed her mortal toll
And in Columbia's honored roll
Her dauntless son shall stand.
Columbia's banner lit the way
And drove that midnight Into day;
The world has turned to view the north
And from the fallen barriers forth,
Shall fly the polar night:
And now across the northern sky
Behold the glorious colors fly,
A'new Aurora's light!
F. H. Df.wby.
BpringflcW, September 1, 1909.
THE CONQUEST OF THE ARCTIC.
Advance Made in Polar Exploration
in Two Decades.
The advances made in polar exploration
in the past two decades are hereby sum
marized :—
The farthest north—Latitude 87 degrees
6 minutes, longitude about the 49th west,
by Robert E. Peary, civil engineer, Unit
ed States navy, April 21, 19(16.
Discovery of the Northwest passage—
By Capt Roald Amundsen of Norway, :n
the Gjoa. a small sloop, in 1903-04-05-06,
completing the journey in August.
Establishing location of the magnetic
pole—By Capt Amundsen in 1905.
Charting of the north coast of Green
land—By Robert E. Peary in 1891-2.
Discovery of the trade winds blowing
to the pole—By Salomon-Auguste Andree
of Sweden in July, 1897, who left Dane's
island, Spitsbergen, in a spherical balloon
and traveled due north for approximately
200 miles.
Discovery of fertile land in the polar
circle—By Robert E. Peary in 19(Hi. Saw
small flowers growing in black soil in a
newly-found laud just northwest of Grant
Land.
Other high latitudes attained—B6 de
grees 33 minutes 49 seconds, by the duku
of the Abruzzi in 1900, by ship and
sledge: 86 degrees 14 minutes, by Dr
Fridtjof Nansen of Norway, in 1895, aft
er he left the Fram and with one com
panion pushed on (ownrd the pole, cover
ing nearly 1500 miles in 15 months.
STILL VIGOROUS.
[From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.]
Thoughtloss people sometimes are in
clined to hum nt the decline of human
physical vigor. They claim to believe that
the race of Americans, for instance, has
grown weak and flabby since the days of
the pioneers. They argue that between
tlie frontiersman and his grandson, who
perhaps sells ribbon behind a department
store counter, there lies the difference be
tween a rave of stalwart men and a race
of weaklings.
To such shallow reasoners^he story of
Dr Cook's triumph, of the Wright broth
ers' repeated victories over the most in
tractable of elements, of the intrepid ac
tions of Capt Cbauuler, of Lieut Lahm
and other ymmg army officers active in
aeronautics, must Conic as something of u
shock. Their philosophy makes no place
for such every day heroes. Their theory is
nopeli ssly shattered.
The truth is. as these and hundreds of
other examples show, that the human race.
America ns with tbe rest, has lost little in
daring, in ability and willingness to endure
physical hardship, in Spnrtan courage to
face death for a cause. The old vigor
persists, asking but the opportunity to
burst forth into splendid achievement.
Cook, the Wrights. Chandler and others
of their intrepid kind give the lie to those
j who believe the race is decadent.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE DAY.
LORD NORTHCLIFFE FEARS WAR.
Says Germans Are Working Night
and bay tn Preparation for Hostili
ties.
Lord Northcliffe, owner of the London
Times, in an interview at Winnipeg. Man.,
Tuesday predicted war between Germany
and Great Britain. He said that in the
Krupp guii works alone 100,000 men were
working night and day and on Sundays
preparing for war. He said: "I would
make the suggestion, with all respect to
the Canadians who are investing their
money and labor in constructing railroads
and large grain elevators that they keep
an eye on European affairs and begin to
figure out why it is all the shipbuilding
yards in Germany are busy constructing
rapid cruisers and first-class battleships
and why it is Krupp's works have in
creased their hands to over 100,000 men,
nearly the population of Winnipeg."
His conviction is that war can only be
averted by most complete and thorough
preparation on the side of Great Britain.
I.orth Northcliffe stated that some Cana
dians have Utopian views and think war
is a crime. "The Gormans do not think
so." he continued. "They hare a magnifi
cent army and the second navy in the
world, and they know what these things
are for. They are a thrifty people. They
do not throw money away. They made
an immense sum of money out of their
last groat war. They will fight or threaten
war when they think it will pay. Many
people say that they will fight Great Brit
ain in the near future, and some have
mentioned the year 1912."
AUTUMN MANEUVERS BEGIN.
On Largest Scale In Germany Since
1SO».
The imperial autumn maneuvers of the
German army began at Stuttgart, Ger.,
Tuesday with the review by Emperor
William ’and the empress of the Wuert
temberg army corps. The emperor has
pome down into southern Germany for
the purpose of directing the comprehen
sive field operations. All the troop of
Bavaria. Wuerttemberg and Baden, about
11(3,000 men of all arms, will take part in
the exercises.
Maneuvers on such a large scale have
not taken place in Germany since 1309.
What in time of war would correspond
to the rapid mobilization of the south
German forces is now in progress. One
army, commanded by Field Marshal Brin’e
Leopold of Bavaria and consisting of two
Bavarian and one Wuerttemberg corps, is
engaging another army composed of the
third Bavarian and the Baden corps, com
manded by Gen Bock von Polach. The two
armies will come in contact in the north
east corner of Wuerttemberg the 12th.
Speaking at a dinner Monday night in
the city hall of Stuttgart Emperor Will
iam said, among other things, that through
the unity of the German peoples the peace
of the world was assured.
BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA.
Agreement Reached Concerning Man
chnrian Railway Concessions and
Other Matters.
The Japanese foreign office announced
at Tokio Saturday that the agreement
between Japan and China was signed in
Pekin at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
The text of the agreement will be pub
lished in a few days. This agreement con
cerns the Manchurian railway concessions
and the question has been at issue since
early Inst spring. It is generally under
stood that by the (terms of the agreement
Japan secures control of central railway
franchises m Manchuria and the right to
construct others, as well as the privilege
of loaning China half of the required cap
ital for the construction of the Kirin rail
way on the Korean border.
The settlement has been well received
by the members of the diplomatic corps
at Pekin. The Japanese are pleased with
it, but the Chinese describe themselves as
being in the position of a "man coerced
by successive blows.” It is understood,
however, that the foreign board did not
expect as much as it got. The negotiating
of numerous details of the agreement will
now be undertaken.
The final draft of the agreement be
tween China and Japan in settlement of
the various Manchurian questions thaf
have been in dispute for .some time past
was signed Saturday afternoon at Pekin.
DEATH LIST 3000.
•4—
Recent Floods In Mexico the Worst
in History of the Country.
It is believed by the authorities at Mex
ico City that the total casualties in north
ern Mexico from the recent floods will be
not less than 3000. President Brown of
the National railways has returned to
Mexico City from the flooded districts.
He says the damage wrought is the worst
in the history of the republic. One-third,
of the damaged section has not yet been
heard from. The monetary loss to the
railroads is already placed at $2,0(X>,000,
and this figure may be doubled when re
ports are received from sections of the
Matamoras and Tampico lines.
According to official reports, the death
list in Monterey and vicinity reached a
totiH. of 1500, but. a number of towns in
the states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas
hare not yet reported.
TIDAL WAVE IN MEXICO.
Soto Ln Marina and the Snrronndlmg
Country Overwheliiied.
Soto La Marina and the surrounding
country in Mexico, in which are many
American oil mon, has been overwhelmed
by a tidal wave and the inhabitants of the
district have taken refuge in the hills,
according to a dispatch to Gen Trevino at
.Monterey, commanding the military zone.
The message came from the alcalde of the
town of I’resasasldama. The loss of life
is not stated.
JIMINEZ IS ELECTED.
Will Be Inanwnmted President ot
Costn Rlen Next May.
Word whs received at New York last
week by J. J. Ulloa. consul-general ill
New York, from President Gonzalez Vi
quez of Costa Rica, that the returns from
the election held Tuesday s[iow the elec
tion of Dr Ricardo Jiminez as next pres
ident of Costa Rica and that complete
order prevails throughout the country as
a result of the election.
Dr Jiminez is a lawyer, about 50 years
old, and has held various important gov
ernmental posts in his country. He has
been Costa Rican minister to the United
States nnd Mexico. The school of elect
ors meet in February. Congress then
passes on the election of the president
during the first week in May, and the
president-elect is inaugurated on May 8.
The elections are held every four years.
Twelfth Division Ordered to Melilla.
The 12th division of the Spanish army,
consisting of Il.WtXi men under the com
mand of Gen Sotomayo, has been ordered
to Melilla. Morocco, to take part in the
campaign against the Moors, Premier
Maura explained Sunday at Madrid that
the reinforcement had been requested by
Gen Marina because of the extension of
his lines of operation. The premier said
also that another division might be mob-
I ilizedJmmediately. Advices received front
Melilla say the Spanish positions at El
Arna and liestinga have been reinforced,
and that the Moors have partly abandoned
Mt Guruga and are massing at Nador and
Zelnan.
Orville Wright Gives Exhibition.
Orville Wright gave an exhibition flight
ia his aeroplane at the Templehof parade
ground, Berlin, Saturday afternoon. He
started at 4.46. Embassador and Mrs Hill,
Consul Gen and Mrs Tbackara and the
members of the embassy were at the start
ing place, while the parade ground was
filled w itn an interested throng.
Curtiss and Bleriot at Brescia.
Glenn H. Curtiss arrived at Brescia.
Italy, Tuesday from Paris to take part
in the forthcoming aeroplane races. Ho
went at once to the' aviation field to in
spect his machine. M Bleriot, the French
flyer, also has reached Brescia. Mr Cur
tiss has accepted an invitation to fly at
Chicago.
JAPAN DAY AT SEATTLE.
Oriental Aspect to Alaska-Yukon-
Pacifte Exposition.
The entertainment of the Japanese com
mercial commissioners at Seattle, Wash.,
Saturday was largely in the hands of the
local Japanese, who for months had been
preparing for the celebration of Japan day
at the Alaska-Yukon-TaciSc exposition
and collected SIO,OOO to defray expenses.
All Japanese in the Pacific Northwest
who could conveniently come to Seattle to
see the commissioners and the exposition
did so. The thoroughfares of the exposi
tion were bung with 50.000 Japanese lan
terns and the Japanese, being granted a
free hand in the matter of arranging the
flowers gave the fair a genuine oriental as
pect.
The-day began with a parade led by a
picturesque Samurai horseman in armor.
Then followed a hundred or more automo
biles, carrying the commissioners and the
Seattle business men. At the exposition
gate a national pageant was formed,
which absorbed the automobiles. Fifty
Samurai in ancient armor were followed
by 100 flower girls in native dress. Then
came 2(>o merchants in native costumes
and after (hem 500 Japanese representing
the various trades and professions of
Japan, with the garb appropriate to each.
Two girls, riding on a temple float and
representing the goddesses of wealth and
beauty, throw 30,000 Japanese coins to
the crowds as they passed. After the pa
rade the Japanese commissioners were en
tertained nt a strictly Japanese dinner in
the national building and later there were
formal exorcises in the exposition audito
rium.
LOWELL RACES FAIL TO KILL.
Barman, Chevrolet, Knlpper Winners
of Monday’s Automobile Speeding
Contests.
Out from a general field of 22 racing
automobiles, competing in the three events
composing the national small stock chassis
competition of the opening day of the
Lowell automobile carnival, there emerged
victorious at Lowell Monday Robert
Bitrman, at the wheel of a Buick ma
chine of 30 horse-power: Louis Chevrolet,
guiding a car of the same make of but
18 horse-power, and William Knipper in
a Chalmers-Detroit, of 30 horse-power, re
spectively. Burman’s win was in a race
for the Vesper trophy of 212 miles, which
he covered in 3.19.08; Chevrolet’s victory
was in the event for the Yorick club cup
of 159 miles, the finish of which was
after 2.56.17, and Knipper won a 127.2-
mile contest for the Merrimack, Valley
cup, in 2.28.43.
To Lee B. Lorimer, driving a Chal
mers-Detroit Blue Bird, fell the general
expression of individual distinction for the,
day’s racing. And this despite the fact he
did not win. Every road record for cars
of this class—4o horse-power—were swept
before his droning machine. which
hummed incessantly through 17 laps of
the 10.6-mile circuit at an average rate
of a mile in 1 minute 7-100ths of one sec
ond. In his 18th lap, leading Burman,
who ultimately won by two laps, he lost
control of bis car on the far end of the
back stretch and it headed off the road
directly toward a piazza, upon which
were seated a dozen persons. All man
aged to get clear of the oncoming machine
except Mrs Fannie W. Eaton of Brock
ton. whose injttries. however, were slight.
Neither Lorimer nor his mechanician was
hurt.
The day was one of the pleasantest
which automobile racing enthusiasts have
experienced in this country. The track
was lightning fast, literally, the perform
ances <>f the class 2 -(-ars. as represented
by Lorimer's time, being such as to sur
pass any which has ever been attained in
this country. Because of the fact that
he did not finish the race this time will
not be accepted as a record officially, it is
believed. The crowd, which swarmed
upon the barriers lining the outside and
inside rails of the track, numbered fully
150,009 persons.
'KNOX COMPANY HAS ENOUGH OF IT
Company Has Been Considering With
'lrawal Sometime and Indianapolis
Fatalities Hastened Decision.
William E. Wright, vice-president of the
Knox automobile company, announced
Monday evening that following the
races in Lowell this week the com
pany will withdraw from all races. The
decision to withdraw from the rac
ing game was reached some time
ago and was hastened by the accident tn
Indianapolis. Ind., where W. A. Bourque
and his mechanic were killed. It was at
first considered advisable to keep out of
the Lowell races because of the regret
able accident, but it was finally decided to
enter cars there as the arrangements bad
already been made and many people had
planned to come from a long distance to
see the Knox cars in that race.
The company did not ever intend to en
ter the racing business, but was drawn
into it by the fact that all the other im
portant car manufacturers in this part of
New England were taking part in these
races and the Knox company went into
it as a matter of defense.
JOYETTE WIN'S TAFT CUP.
Draper Trophy Ooes to Ellen—Sender
Boat Races Finished.
As a result of the final race of the
German-American sonderklasse series
Tuesday off Marblehead, the President Taft
cup was won by the Joyette, owned by
Commodore W. H. Childs of the Benson
burst yacht chib of Brooklyn. The Gov
Draper cup goes to the Ellen, owned by
Charles P. Curtis of -the Eastern yacht
_club. Each yacht had won two of the
series in which the Germans were com
petitors, while the Hevella. the survive.-
of the challenging yachts, was eliminated
through her defeat Monday. Tuesday's
race was a slashing one, in which the Joy
ette proved to be so much the faster on
windward work that the better qualities
of the Ellen on dead-on-end runs were not
powerful enough to permit her to cross rhe
finish lipe in first place.
The president witnessed the contest
Thursday in the fourth race of the series
from the bridge of the United States
stemu yacht Sylph, and several members
of his family were with him. He re
ceived the presidential salute of 21 guns
i from the revenue cutter Androscoggin,
one of tin- patrol boats, as the Sylph
steamed down the course toward tire hn
isii line, and the throngs on the pleasure
boats were all anxious to have a look ut
the chief magistrate.
OLD HOME WEEK AT NORTH AD A.M3
FORMER RESIDENTS RETURN.
Special Church Services Held—Tues
day’s Grand Army Parade—-Fire
men's Celebration Monday Draws
Great Crowd.
Saturday and Sunday every incoming
tram brought hordes of home-coming for
mer residents, their wives and families and
friends galore—all back for the week or
nt least a part of it. They came from
the-west. the south and the north as well
us from the oast, and the city and her
people welcomed them and will continue
to during the week, with. open hearts and
homes.
Old homo week opened auspiciously Sun
day with special services in the various
churches, all of the home pastors being
back in their pulpits, and with the excep
tion of the Congregational church, where
the repairs had not been completed, the
edifices were prepared for the occasion.
Hundreds of "old-timers" wore to be found
among the congregations during the morn
ing and evening services, and still more
were seen in the immense audience that
gathered on the grounds of the state nor
mal school to listen to the sacred open
air concert given by the Apollo club, a
double quartet and hundreds of Sunday
school pupils, who sang unfloF’the direc
tion of Janies Morley Chambers. The
spot was an ideal one for the exercises, the
singers being grouped on the upper terrace
at the west side of the school building,
while the immense audience had ample
room on the terraces and lawn below. The
double quartet was composed of Mrs Her
bert Guilford. Mrs William Davis, Miss
Felicia Brown, Miss Harriet Carey, John!
Mclntyre, James Morton, Fred Reagan!
and Maurice Phillips.
Blessed with an absolutely perfect day
for the opening of the festivities of old;
home week, North Adaips was Mondays
overrun with guests. The city was lit
erally swamped with people. Never in tha^
history of north Berkshire have so many;
people been gathered in one town or city
as in North Adams Monday. Firemen
were the display feature, for the morning'
w as theirs with a parade that required 45
minutes to pass the reviewing stand at a,
quickstep, and which contained over 22001
participants, besides hand engines, hose,
carts and the apparatus of the North Ad-i
ams fire department. The hardest kind'
of work on the part of all the police North;
Adams could muster was responsible for;
a lane for the marching men down Main!
street. The sight from Monument square,:
on a slight elevation, down Main street!
was one long to be remembered. There!
was not a foot of space unoccupied, and
every window and the roofs of the build-1
ings teemed with men, women and chil-.
dren. anxious to view the spectacle of thej
marching firefighters of to-day and yes
terday.
From noon until dark the fairgrounds;
presented a spectacle that has never be
fore been seen there. The crowd was!
enormous, and divided its interest between
the running races between .the hose teams (
and the hand engine contests. Both were:
in plain sight from the enlarged grand i
stand, which was packed to the limit of!
its capacity, and the green inside the track,
except that roped off for the engine com
panies. was dense with humanity. The
baseball game between North Adams and
Pittsfield, placed at 9.30 in the morning
on the Zylonite grounds, attracted a record
breaking crowd, most of whom got badji
to the city ill time to witness the parade.
BRONZE TABLET IS UNVEILED.
A Memorial to tlie Johnson Grays the
First North Adams Volunteers For
Civil War—Address by Vice-Com
mander J. Willard Brown and
Others.
Veterans’ day at North Adams continued
the old home week observances in that city
Tuesday, bringing a great number of old
soldiers to the city from surrounding towns
of Adams, Williamstown, Pittsfield, Ben
nington, Vt., Hoosick Falls. N. Y., Wil
mington, Vt., and other places. The streets
were well filled again for the parade of
the veterans and school children and with
the many faki’.s crying their wares the city
continued to wear its holiday aspect. The
dedication of a tablet to the Johnson
Grays, the first company from North Ad
ams, was a feature.
The parade was halted in the middle of
the street, between the print works gate
and the speakers’ stand in the Weber Bros’
lot on the cast side of Marshall street.
Seated on the stand besides the speakers
were members of the city council and
prominent citizens.
The band accompanied the assembly for
the opening selection, "Rally Round the
Flag," and prayer was offered by Rev
George M. Gerrish of the Uuiversalist
church. Mrs Josephine Burdick for the
relief corps, extended its greeting to all
patriotic citizens and veterans present.. The
Hag concealing the memorial tablet was
withdrawn by Mrs Mary Cady, patriotic
instructor of the corps, and Mrs Emma
Billings, chairman of the tablet committee,
who is a grandniece of Sylvander John
son, for whom the company was named,
presented the report of the committee.
Mayor Waterhouse responded and Mrs
Ella Tyler, president of the local corps,
received the tablet.
The company sang “Tenting to-night on
the old camp-gronnd," and Senior Vice-
Commander J. Willard Brown of the de
partment of Massachusetts was irrftoduced
as the speaker of the day. Lewis F.
Amadon, who is one of the survivors of the
original company, the Johnson Grays, gave
a talk of a reminiscent nature.
Dinner was served at Grand Army hall
to the veterans by the woman’s relief
co/ps. and in the afternoon a Grand Army
camp-fire was held in Odd Fellows’ hall,
those taking part being Commander A. A.
Haskins, who presided. C. M. Brown of
the local post. Senior Vice-Commander J.
Willard Brown, Chaplain W. H. Cranston
of Rockwell post of Pittsfield. The sur
vivors of the company from out of town
who were present were Elisha Hunt of
Williamstown, Robert Pettit of Manches
ter, N. H„ H. K. Harris of Waconda, 111.,
nnd Janes Cavanaugh of Washington,
D. C.
The tablet to the Johnson grays is
placed on the middle stone gatepost at
the entrance to the print works yard, and
is of bronze. I nder the laurel wreath and
badges of the Grand Army and relief corps
is the inscription: “The Johnson Grays,
the first Volunteer company from North
Adams in the Civil War, camped on these
grounds and in June, 1861, became Com
pany B. 10th Regiment. Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry. This Tablet erected
by 0. D. Sanford Woman’s Relief Corps,
June. 1909."
The program for yesterday was featured
by the presentation to the city by Fort
Massachusetts chapter. Daughters of the
American Revolution, on the grounds of
the Houghton Memorial library, of a bowl
der in memory of the soldiers and sailors
of the Revolutionary war. Congressman
George P. Lawrence presided during
the program, which began at 10.30 Mrs
Charles W. Wright, regent of Fort
Massachusetts chapter, presented the
bowlder, which was accepted by Mayor
John H. Waterhouse on behalf of
the city. There was a short address
on local history by C. Q. Rich
mond, a member of the state board of edu
cation. of North Adams, nnd the address
on "The American Revolution" will be by
Rev Dr Russell H. Conwell, president of
Temple college, Philadelphia.
Naples is one of th* few European cities
where rents have remained very low.