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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 7, No. 10 October 4, 1944

Anti Wells

Anti Wells

Dear Sir,—

Mr. H. G. Wells, in his work "Crux Ansata" has betrayed an unfortunate ignorance of the facts he has presumed to interpret. This is unfortunate from the point of view of both author himself and members of the R.C.C.

Unfortunate for Mr. Wells, because his book has denied him a place in the ranks of the great adversaries—and these ranks include many illustrious names.

Unfortunate from the point of view of the church, because a great adversary is a stimulant to a greater understanding of the doctrines of that church among its members.

In fact the only value that the book has had is to provide a source of propaganda for all enemies of the Catholic Church, be they religious bigots, so-called rationalists or propagandists of the ilk of Dr. Goebells, who incidentally was not slow to make use of this ill-timed volume.

It would take hours of research to refute all the mis-statements, complete the half-truths and allay the innuendoes made in that peevish outburst. Two points, however, are chosen at random for special attention: Page 94, paras. 1, 2 and 3:

"It is necessary to insist on his (the Pope's) profound ignorance and mental inferiority."

It is necessary, in supporting that assertion, to be unaware that the Pope has addressed an International Press Conference for over an hour in Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin—without notes; won the Gold Medal in history at the Visconti Grammar School—reputed the best in Rome; and addresses meetings of the most distinguished scientists of the world when they meet at the Pontifical Academy of Science.

Page 68: Wells suggests that religious'disbelief and scientific research go hand in hand. If, however, he knew so much about the history of science as he professes to know of pre-history, he might recognize that the following men, despite their belief in the teaching of the church he despises so greatly, made some contribution to the progress of science:—Ampere, Volta, Galvani, Pasteur, Mendel, Le-maitre and Schmidt. Moreover, the latter three are priests who apparently "despite the peculiar limitations to which they were subjected by their training," were able to acquire at least some ideas of scientific thought of their day—they made too, a contribution to science which compares favourably with that of the omniscient Mr. H. G. Wells, B.Sc.

From an author who will be remembered for some excellent novels and scientific romances, "Crux Ansata" is a very disappointing book. That this disappointment is shared by some of Wells' own intellectual confreres is shown in the following review taken from a paper opposed to the Catholic Church.

"A tirade which begins with a crude plea for the bombing of Rome and ends with a vulgar personal attack on the Pope is unlikely to advance a cause which he—and many others—have at heart."

—I am,

XXX