Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-11

Americans who comment on the new
theory announced by Prof. Albert Elm
stein admit that they are impressed by
the serious attitude toward this learned
man that is taken by the scientinc
world. It is assumed that the mathe-
mates involved can impress only the
experts. The outstanding fact that the
nilblic grasps is that gravitatlon Is
called a manifestation of electromag-
netism. There is a resulting tendency
to accept the unity of nature, soughC
through the centuries, as TACT. Inc
subject is enlivened by discussion OF the
possibility of overcoming the force OF
gravity.
"If we understand Alright the sub
stance of this latest achievement OF
Prof. Einstein," says the Canton Daily
News, 'he has now produced evidence
science will examine carefully before
calling it proof-that gravitatlon IS, IKE
everything else material, an electrical
phenomenon, falling under the same
laws as the rest of the natural world.
This, if it stands, gives us the unity OF
nature which the scientific mind Graves.
Somewhat as the metaphysician and
theologian sought past the multiple
gods of primitive man for a central
cause and source of things. forming a
central government for the human
soul, so science has sought in the ma
terial product of creation for CORE
spending unity. According to Einstein,
we now have it. Nature is one"
what the practical effects will be no
one can foretell," comments the New
York Times. But it is conceivable that,
as the Copernican theory has undoubt-
edly had some influence in promoting
consciousness of the common interest
of the human race on a planet swing
ing apart in space and in extending
monotheiscic view of creation and provi-
dence, so this unity of law, if confirmed
in the highest courts Of research, should
not only give a new peace to restless
minds seeking the rational whole, but
strengthen the sense of solidarity among
creatures subject to it. This
century may be remembered as that in
which the universe was seen to come
under the rule of one all-embracing
natural law. To find that law is mans
highest achievement"
Lines from Shakespeare's "The Tenn
pest" are quoted by the Charlotte News:
"+,* the baseless fabric of this vision,
The handicapped towers, the gorgeous
palaces.
The solemn temples, the great globe it
self,
Yes, all which it inherits shall dissolve.
And, like this insubstantial pageant
faded,
Leave not wreck behind. We are such
stuff
AS dreams are made on, and our little
life
Is rounded with Sleep"
The News continues: What is that
but the TRANSPORTATION of Einstein's
higher mathematics into music? Poetry
points, meet. The seer and the Scien-
fist see the same vision. And what is
that vision? Simply that the one
reality. in world of moving shadows,
is the internal one. Only the soul
stands sure"
IF, as some spectators are insist
ing, the 'one law of Einstein makes
the whole universe subjective and
scientifically backs up the Berkeleyan
philosophy remarks the Brooklyn Daily
Eagle, Eve shall have something intel
ligible to go on. Everybody can under
stand Bishop Berkeley, of whom Byron
wrote:
When Bishop Berkeley said there
was no matter,
And proved it, twas no matter what
he said
"Some great minds" continues the
Eagle, have shown in their attitudes
trend toward BerkeleyiSm. Lowell
said of Emerson that he regarded the
universe as parts of himself, just
little projected IT'S far cry from
Emerson to Einstein, farther cry from
tons are possible in the scientific
world"
1.-THE alluring thought that science
may find way to overcome gravity
ming News, with the comment: "Obvi-
ously. conquering that force by simple
insulation would be tremendous adj
vantage. Then one might leap across
the seas, fly to the moon, move noun
tains. An airplane could travel at will, |
motorless and fuelless. equipped only |
with its insulator. The fairy tales here !
tofore have embodied mans aspirations !,
heroes have travelled In magic carpets, |
winged slippers and seven-league boots. |,
Tomorrows newspapers may tell the |
same Story-and it would not be the |
first fairy tale come true
Talk of overcoming gravitation as |
effectually as man insulates himself |
from electricity according to the Chi |
cago Daily News, lis, of course, specula-
tive, although quite natural How to /
use or act toward the single force sup !
posed to govern the physical universe ,
is question upon which thousands |
of trained investigators will expend.l
their mental energy. Empirically, too,
much may be learned under the in
spiration Of the new theory Steel bars |
are known to float In the air in labora- |
tories when placed between magnets |
and anti-magnets so called. Perhaps
man may acquire the art of freeing