The New York herald., 1920-01-04

comes nearest to the doctrine Of the professor
OF Jena
or his later writings his Wonders OF Life"
published in 1904 and his Last Words Evo-
luton in 1906 were supplementary TO his
great work His "Anthropogene." first printed
in 1874. fifth edition OF which appeared in 1906.
and his Present knowledge OF the Origin Of
Man" the English translation of which bears
the title THE Last Link" dating from 1895
forecast his speculative views as wen a.
firming his observed facts.
An unfortunate incident in his later years
marred Haeckel's great reputation scien-
tist In an edition of his works there appeared
photographs of human and smian embryos
" hch he contended went far to prove the col
lateral descent Of man and apes from one
cestra family. His opponents. amons whom
was AaNmlian Harden. the famous editor Of
the Zukunft. expressed doubts OF the ACCURACY
Of the photographs and claimed they were
forgeries In a rather unsatsfactory reply
Haeckel admitted that he had rctouched the
negatives. explaining that he had done
without intent to defraud. but for the mere
purpose Of making the truth more tangible
l. should be stated that the latest embryo
logical researches point in direction sustain
ine Haeckers theory. but nevertheless his al
tora:on of the photographs was say the
least. unprofessional.
While giving all credit to HaecSels great in
dustry and to the vast array of useful knowl-
edge he collected. one must regret that he went
outside The sphere OF physical science to dis
rute with philosophers and thcologians about
questions not involved in the organization or
development of the material world. The fact
that theolosans on their part have frequently
done the same thing leaving their discussions
Of spiritual things TO dictate to physics
science. is no excuse Moreover. the results
OF a doctrine denying the moral order are far
more perncious than a mistaken view Of the
natural world. You may think the earth T.
flat and yet not rob your neighbor. but IL YOU
reject the moral law YOU are likely to ignore
Your ncirhbor's rights if you consider it to
your interest 20 DO so.
For il there Is no God. no soul-f force is the
only law there is no such thing as right or
wrong no moral obligation. He may gain who
has tn, power and he may keep who can
statute law becomes compromise with no basis
or Justice Treaties are scraps or paper II l.
the absence Of moral sanction in the theory OF
relations between states which led Germany
ever since The days Of bismarck TO disregard
the rights ot small nations and to enter upon
a career or ACKNOWLEDGMENT which threatened
the ruin Of civilization. Germany, ia spite OF
her apparent prosperity, was really decadent
state sunk IN inaterislism. For this the doc
trines Of Uaeckcl and some Of his contem-
poraries translated into popular terms we're
in a great measure responsible
While Haecke rs ttshionins bis carbon god
aud theolosians ara disputins whether Ndam
had navel the lsymau can afford 20 laugh
At the tagarics Of both. trusting that science
viii continue to progress. making the truth
ever more apparent and that true religion
based fundamental moral conceptions can
never he overthrown To the we'll balanced
mrd the material and the spiritual are two
distinct orders of bein-~ and taus ,i,N,i the
universe is not such a riddle after all.