Science After the War 319
diverted into new channels—the solution of war problems.
To meet the scientific barbarity of the Huns called forth the
united efforts of the scientists on the other side. I think we
can say that at the end of the war the scientific equipment of
the Allies was certainly equal, and probably superior, to
that of their enemies. The submarines did not prevent the
American armies from getting across the Atlantic, which
was due to the splendid work of the Allied and American
sailors. Exactly to what extent scientific inventions helped
to stop the submarines I cannot say; but if they saved a
single American transport from being torpedoed, then they
were worth far more than all the time and money which has
been spent on them. After the war many of the new applica-
tions of science, made during the war, are going to be of
great value for peaceful purposes. For example, some of
the devices intended for locating submarines have already
proved of great value for navigation in fogs. Only a few
days ago a war-ship reported that it had been twice saved
from collision in a fog by its anti-submarine devices, which
located approaching vessels.
The war has made clear to all the practical power of
scientific knowledge, and there has arisen a demand for
more and better science in education. Most people manage
to get along with little or no scientific knowledge, and they
will probably continue to do so for a long time. Most
people, fortunately perhaps, are not endowed with much
aptitude or inclination for scientific thought. It is not worth
while for them to devote much time to scientific subjects.
Science, to be worth while, requires much time and hard
work. What is wanted is opportunity for those endowed
with scientific aptitude to get thorough scientific training and
a more general understanding of where to go, and whom to
go to, to get expert scientific advice. Politicians do not need