GERMAN ACADEMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 24

GERMAN ACADEMY

THE NAZIS AND SCIENCE

When scientists of Albert Einstein's rank and reputation had to leave Germany in 1933, because Nazis considered the work of a Jewish mathematician as "Jewish mathematics," it became evident that Nazis would, according to their doctrines and Weltanschauung (world view), reorganise the whole field of science in Germany, says the "Christian Science Monitor."

The process of this reorganisation, however, compared with the Nazis' political and administrative reforms, was a rather slow one; the dreams of. a "National Socialist Academy of Science" became a reality only a few weeks ago.

Authentic reports of the new academy's foundation in the German Press were apparently overlooked by Berlin representatives of American papers.

In the small city of Goettingen in Middle Germany, one of the country's oldest university places, the solemn inauguration of Germany's newest academy took place.

The celebration had a very academic character. Led, by the Rektor, professors paraded' in cap and gown to the auditorium maximum, listened devoutedly to the two speeches by Professor Heyse and Reichsdozentenfuhrer (Fuhrer of the Reich professors) Schultze.

Both explained to them what the new academy stood for. Only a military concert, preceding the speeches, interrupted the academic character,

giving a sort of musical overture to the totalitarian views that the speakers would develop.

It is the intention of the new academy, said Professor Heyse, to establish a close relationship between National Socialist life and science. It was the fundamental mistake of nine-teenth-century liberalism to believe in a science that is following its own laws, and which has a purely theoretical character. National Socialist science, such as guided and controlled by the new academy, would have the purpose of backing scientifically the forms ands the style, the Weltanschauung of new German life. Life and science would form a totalitarian unity.

Professor Schultze developed these thoughts further, stating that political meaning of the new academy would consist in "showing to the world that in the depths of the German spirit something is developing that might be decisive for the whole of Europe." "We believe," concluded the Reichsdozentenfuhrer, "in a Holy German Empire of Germanic Nation that our ancestors have created with the help of the Divine Providence. This idea of the Reich is the truth in itself. And since there is for us no double truth, this idea is the highest norm of our historical life and, therefore, also of our new National Socialist science."

Mr. W. G. Bryce, formerly a member of the council of the New Zealand Football Association, was the only new vice-president elected at the annual meeting of the association. last night. Several delegates spoke appreciatively of Mr. Bryce's services to the game.