CHAPTER XIII 



The Controversy Between Cook and Peary 



IT was felt a regrettable thing that the glory of such an achieve- 

 ment as the conquest of the North Pole by two Americans should 



be tarnished by a controversy between them. 



When the news came that Dr. Cook had discovered the North 

 Pole there was felt, unquestionably, considerable sympathy for Com- 

 mander Peary. The latter had made several unsuccessful attempts 

 and there was a general recognition of the fact that he deserved to 

 win in the end. 



But little time was given the world to indulge this tender 

 feeling. Hardly had Peary's announcement of his success been made 

 when the following message came by wireless from him at Indian 

 Harbor, Labrador, to the Associated Press in New York: 



"I have nailed the Stars and Stripes to the North Pole. This 

 is authoritative and correct. Cook's story should not be taken too 

 seriously. The two Eskimos who accompanied him say he went no 

 distance north and not out of sight of land. Other members of the 

 tribe corroborate their story. 



(Signed) "PEARY." 



And on the same day he wired Mrs. Peary : 



"Good morning. Delayed by gale. Don't let Cook story worry 

 you. Have him nailed. 



(Signed) "BERT." 



The controversy was launched full size and the inhabitants 

 of the civilized world divided themselves into two camps of Cook 



(194) 



