The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-06-04
EUSAPlA PALLADINO
CAUGHT IN TRICKERY

NEW YORK, May 1.-THE fullest
publicity should be given if possible
to the finding of the committee of
American men of science in the case
of Eusapia Palladiho There is a NOR
al issue in the case. To many it
seems innocent enough that those who
have a taste for It should indulge in
an occasional respite from reason or
cherish a haunted room in their men
tai dwelling as a picturesque heir
loom from the past. why not?" it
is said. What harm does it do"
it thrills them and It does not hurt
us"
If society had no abuses, diseases or
sores to cure: if no life in it were ev-
er needlessly worried or if good be-
ginnings never came to tragic miscar-
raiges from want of common sense,
we might all say the same. We
should have no score to settle with
unreason. AS things are, however,
most busy men are in graphing
fight with it every day. 1t makes a
waste and friction in their work; it
sows dissension in their families It
makes politics too often a chaos and
a lottery. 1t makes a man believe
that his friend intended some slight
when the evidence is more than half
a guess. What men of sense first
long for and then despair of is to per-
suade others to be reasonable, that
there may be some use in reasoning
with them.
Symbol of sophistry.
The subtle Italian medium we have
been studying is kind of incarnation
of specious evidence, a symbol of So
phistry. Her art is to obtain credence
under false pretenses. She has sue
ceeded. Readers of some of the New
York papers have scarcely realized
the serious interest she has maintain
ed for nineteen years. Group after
group has sat with her and published
results.
Imposing committees have issued
elaborate reports in her favor. Nc
other medium has ever absorbed 50
much and so prolonged attention.
These learned patrons have inflated
her reputation and exalted her prices.
They have created a task for their
brethren and made it as difficult as
possible,
The scientific literature about her
,e',es up more than foot on the
b lelf-monument to a grove'irS
in ility of judgment. And it is not
on ner fatuous dupes she degradCs.
So ar as lay in her power, she has
degraded some of her American inve5
tigators, For they were forced against
their will to the only device that would
terminate a scandal to science-to
watch her during the seance from hid
den places.
AS the case stood in January there
had been no real progress regarding
it since 1895. 1t was then proved in
Cambridge, England (what had been
before), that Eusapi& would
deceive the holders if she
| free hand or a foot and get it
the cabinet behind her. Last
ar this was once more con-
Edgar T. Scott, of Philadel-
at one of Mr.. Carrington's
t his hand under the cur
ne cabinet and came in con-
b her stockinged foot. After
,ars it was time to take step
ard
Trap Laid for Medium.
ne was watched from a tiny win
opened in the panels of the wall
the left, near the floor and near
chair. She was watched from
chest of drawers on her right,
lower drawers Of which were ia
out A comfortable reposing
for a man was prepared in it,
small window made in the front
drawers, which were left to
neutral appearance. She was