The Washington times., 1919-11-07
What Shall We Say to the
MartianS?
What Will They Try to Say to Us'

Professor Todd eminent astronomer that he
viii make an attempt to talk to the people believed to
inhabit Mars
He plans to ascend to great height in specially con-
suced aeropane drgble and conduct his experiments
above the smoke and dust that fills the atmosphere the
earth.
Before he goes up, wonder what he will say, what
message he will try to send.
We wonder, too what the Martans will say when they
get his aerogram and what they will think of the kind Of
civilization that his message will indicate And what ev
dence Of THEIR civilization will we get?
Here two short stories both true probably to illus
rate different views of what we call civilization.
Aristippus young Greek gentleman of large
means genuine intellectual power of humor, and
great reputation philosopher
He his way to Corinth with young lady named
Lais, possibly he coming from Corinth with her
Anyhow, ne was wrecked the voyage. you know
anything about the deserved reputation of Las you know
that the philosopher pretty badly employed and that
the Greek gods doubtless wrecked his vessel impress upon
his mind the importance of morality.
Thrown ashore barren stretch of sand the phoso
pher very sad at first He observed the sand the
remains of certain geometcal drawings aa6 instantly
claimed There is help near Here see signs of think
ing men, of civilization"
Votaire tells Of certain wrecked individuals thrown
lonely coast and also much distressed and frightened
They geometrical tracings in the sand But on
bleak moor In the twilight they the black beams of
bbe and below the cross piece swinging in the wind they
saw human skeleton with bony wrists and ankles chained
together.
exclaimed with upturned eyes:
Thank God we have got back to civization!"
Thus, you see, there varying signs of civilization
There great gulf between the signs perceived by Aris
tppussns of the mental activity which engages in geo.
metr1c demonstrations Voaires sign Of civilization
the brutal execution of brutal criminal
The inhabitants of the faraway planets are probably
different from US IN every way, in FORM in thought Ian
guage, customs, and everything else.
BUT TGE0METRICAL, MATHEMATICAL FACTS ARE
THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE.
Will not the wise Martian who wants to speak to US
and decides to flash message down here our clouds
the surface of the water utilize the universally of
geomercal truths in order to make understand that
thinking beings are trying to talk to us?
The sum of the angles of any triangle equal to two
right angles ...'
That true of every triangle matter what its shape
matter whether be drawn this earth or on the most
distant sun
Therefore when the Martian gentleman gets ready TO
talk to he need only repeatedly place before us two right
angles followed by triangle triangle followed by two
right angles Instantly like Astppus say there
civilization in Mars wherever that sign comes from or at
least there is organized thought The mind that flashing
that sign knows something about geometry.
Of course, should also recognize "sgns of civiza
ton if the Marans should project upon atmosphere
skeleton hanging in chains But it is be hoped that the
Martans have got beyond that particular evidence of
civilization.