15 MAY 1941, Page 14

LEIBNIZ ON BOMBS

Sm,—At the present time when bombs of all types are being used so ruthlessly by the Germans, it is interesting to read by way of contrast the eloquent and vigorous protest against their use made in 1689 by G. W. Leibniz (1642-1716), one of the greatest philosophers and scientists that Germany, and for that matter Europe, has ever produced. In a Latin poem entitled Epigramma in Bombos and dated Ratisboa, February 6th, 1689, he denounces the cruelty and inhumanity of using bombs and particularly land-miiies.—Yours faithfully,