The sun., 1916-12-10
Bv EDWARD

ticaIIy
logical.
Science" said Mr.. Edison. who has
received so much from her for all o
10. will give us anything. I have
been astonished by the fact that Their,
Is nothing new in this war. I had
expected new things. 1t least OF the
Germans. But there have been nc
new things-not even new atrocities
or novel brutalitics."
We were talking In the world
famous scientists laboratory. a,
orange. n. j., and the talk was one OF
the objects for which l had crossed
the ocean from the war zone.
IAN in the way OF cruelties and OPP
preston which has happened in Bel
GUM and north France might have
been done in the dark ages" he went
on. All that has happened which
may be classified az scientific advance
has been obvious-the mere and some
Times IndiduToit uppiiSdtiou W war Oh
principles and even definite devices
perfectly well known to peace. So,
while Science is willing to give us any
thing II We ask intelligently, she has
given Europe very little for the pro-
motion OF this tremendous armed
struggle"
What might she have given" /
asked.
Il must not say too much along tina,
line" said Mr.. Edison. and this was
reasonable, for he is al the head OF
the American Naval Consulting Board
But this much I am willing to say
there is no scientific reason for the
ignorance Of any navy as to the exact
whereabouts Of enemy ships within
reasonable distances"
Even as to the exact whereabouts
Of enemy submarines
Mr.. Edison nodded. Even" he said
as to the exact whereabouts Of enemy
submarines within restricted areas.
"All sides have failed to take advan-
tage Of modern science. The world
has stood aghast at what Germany has
done through the application of some
ages old ideas to modern warfare. as
for instance in the use Of asphyxiatine
gases and projected flame.
Both are very old devices and
neither should have caused the enemies
Of Germany any worry whatsoever. ]
have been more a~stonished by Ger
many's failure to bring forth new
ideas than by the failure Of England
and France to do SO, for Germany,
more extensively than any OF her OPP
ponents, has specialized in chemistry
and electricity. and eve in mechanics,
"The war and its developments have
Given me a new sense OF peril for tn,
United States. Of course. With Others
! had begun to hope that the reign OF
comparatively complete sanity really
had begun upon the earth. Now
know this Is not true. and I am doubt
full II ever it will be true. Surely IT
will not be true in my day or in yours
1T cannot come until the time ar
rives when the people as a Whole are
not exploited by capitalists and poll
ticians. Religion has played a great part
In the exploitation OF the people in the
past, now We must I've careful in the
education OF the present and the fu-
tlre to see to it that business does not
falsely educate for its W interests,
jus, as religion falsely used to edu-
cate for its own interests.
Good education Is the hope OF the
world and the ambition OF the best
people IN every country is TO try TO
See To it that the masses in that coun-
try shall have an opportunity for the
best OF education. But education has
been used as a lever OF oppression and
as cloak for deceit oftener han mos
Of US realize.
Here in the United States M whole
commercial system is the result OF
bad economic education-not ignorance,
mind you. but false education.
Much OF government elsewhere has
meant exploitation and the heads OF
government in such cases have been
trained as expioiters. When, to such
governmental heads, il has seemed
likely to lie profitable to start "A war
they have told the people to begin
TO fight and the poor simpletons have
done il.
Exactly that occurred in Germany
and Austria, and when these great pop
ulatiOus began to fight OF course theiI
neiGhbors had to fight to save their
skins. That is the trouble with armed
exploitation, which is what militarisn
mounts to. II can force armamen,
and fighting upon all those who sur
round il, as Germany forced them
upon England and France.
The people of north France were
forced to fight in the endeavor to pre-
serve their homes, the chastity OF theil
women m the future OF their chill
or"n, but the men who attacked then
dd 50, not because they wanted to, bu
because they had been told to. Simple
Tons they were and are: they are dyini
OF their own simplicity and are takini
others into death with them BY ten
o! thousands.
This war, however, is accomplish
ihS by foolish, brutal methods mucl