Evening star., 1940-05-13
Hull
Continued From First Page)

the sorry state of handmaiden of
oppression and brute force"
This, he stressed, is not the fault
of science itself or of scientists and
should not hamper the progress of
research. Rather, he said, it is the
task of society itself to create con-
ditions in which the achievements of
science will be turned into construc-
tive rather than destructive fields.
This" he said, lis a task for all
mankind. For neither social organ
ization directed toward insuring the
greatest good for the greatest num-
bers. nor the cultural and spiritual
values which the overwhelming ma
jority of mankind prizes and cher
ishes, nor science itself, can be ex-
pected to survive protracted and
too widespread abuse of the achieve
ments of science for anti-social and
anti-moral ends"
Freedom of Thought.
'Such abuse" he continued, "in-
evitably creates conditions in which
thought is shackled-and science
cannot flourish where freedom of
thought does not exist. Science
cannot advance when it is not
permitted to extend its exploratory
activities wherever the quest for
truth may lead. Human progress
is impossible without a strong moral
and spiritual foundation. A nation
which curbs freedom of thought or
denies the dignity of the human
soul dooms itself inevitably To
decadence.
Science cannot flourish when it
is forced into the narrow confines
of national frontiers. Its progress
is founded upon a universal fel-
lowship that knows no distinctions
of race or creed or nationality, of
class or of group. That fellowship
is one of the finest and most strik-
ing examples of the numerous and
varied international relationships
in every phase of life which have
so enriched the human race-ma-
terially, Intellectually and spirit
ually."
Such an assembly of scientists
from many lands, Secretary Hull
stressed, "symbolizes the unity of
purpose which actuates the Ameri-
can nations preservation of peace
within and without; untiring con-
Germ for the well-being of the indi-
vidual; unshakable determination
to safeguard personal freedom and
to preserve the dignity of the human
soul; full recognition of the great
mutual benefits to be secured from
fruitful relationships between gov
ernment and government, group
and group, individual and indi-
vidual, who, though separated by
nationals frontiers, have much to
learn from each other and much
to contribute to the whole of man
kind"
One Great Common Loyalty.
1--WE deeply deplore," he said,
that a blighting shadow of cul-
tural eclipse has fallen on SO many
countries in other parts of the
world. We are supremely fortunate
that in this hemisphere thought is
still free and science is still un-
trammeled. It is for us to see to
it that they remain so-for our own
sakes and for the sake of all hu-
manity.
"As scientists, in your quest for
truth you have one great common
,loyalty-loyalty to the human race
and to the destiny of man."
The assembling of the American
Scientific Congress at this time Is
an event Of far-reaching signi-
ficance, DR.. Leo S. Rowe, director
general of the Pan-American Union,
said in an address of welcome.
There is a real thrill" he said,
"in the thought that while hatred,
antagonism and conflict are raging
In SO many sections of the world
the intellectual leaders of the Amer
ican republics have assembled to
promate the things of the spirit and
to strengthen the cultural ties that
bind the nations of the Americas to
one another.
Slowing Down of Proxress.
"The lights are growing dim in
Europe and may even be extin-
guished. Universities have been