II THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH By GEORGE ELLERY HALE Honorary Chairman of the National Research Council, Research Council. The progress of research, and the rapid advance of knowledge along particular lines, have naturally resulted in the highly specialized organization of science of the present day. Two centuries ago the Royal Society of London and the Paris Academy of Sciences could easily embrace the whole range of science, and include in their membership essentially all of the able investigators of England and France. The establishment of the Linnean Society in 1788 marked the beginning of a dispersive movement that has continued ever since. While the multiplication of societies dealing with narrowly limited fields of science is a sign of progress, the complete separation of investigators who might work in cooperation is certainly not desirable. In fact, the increase of specialization, instead of rendering unnecessary organizations dealing with science as a whole, has served to emphasize their extensive possibilities. It may be doubted whether there was ever a time in the history of science when such bodies could render greater service. The rise of astrophysics and physical chemistry is evidence enough of the advantage of bridging the gaps between diverging branches, and organizations whose function it is to bring together men working in diverse fields, are naturally qualified to contribute in large measure toward this end. In Dr. Kellogg's account we may see how these principles have been applied in the United States by the formation of the National Research Council a federation of research agencies established under the Congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences. The purpose of the present statement is to describe how the International Research Council has undertaken to federate many such national councils and thus to assure wide-spread cooperation in research. The international scientific organizations that existed before the war were of several distinct types. Some devoted their efforts to the establishment of uniform standards of measure, others organized cooperative researches, while the majority held occasional congresses for the personal interchange of views. Many of these international bodies were formed to meet some special need, and they had become so numerous that men of science interested in the larger aspects and relationships of their personal researches were often unable to attend meetings of importance to them. Thus in astronomy independent bodies dealt with the international chart of the heavens, solar observations, Kapteyn's selected areas, time standards, astronomical ephemerides, distribution of astronomical telegrams, minor planets, and other subjects, and there was no appropriate organization to initiate new projects falling outside of certain limited fields. In chemistry five distinct organizations existed, and yet there was little international cooperation in research. In geophysics separate bodies were concerned with geodesy, meteorology (almost exclusively from the standpoint of official routine), terrestrial magnetism (without real activity), seismology, and other branches of the subject, and there was no means of securing common consideration of major problems embracing several aspects of this extensive science. The International Association of Academies was not sufficiently representative of the countries it included, was without permanent headquarters or adequate funds, had no contact with the great majority of international scientific organizations, and was almost completely inactive between its triennial meetings. With such considerations in view, the Royal Society called an Inter-Allied Conference on International Scientific Organizations, which opened in London on October 9, 1918. Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Serbia, and the United States were represented by delegates. The first act of the London Conference was to define the attitude of the bodies represented toward the question of future relations with the men of science of the central powers. The declaration unanimously adopted pointed out that after the opening of hostilities men of science were still able to hope for an immediate resumption of scientific relations between enemy countries on the conclusion of peace, in harmony with previous experience. Unfortunately, however, the atrocities committed by Germany and her allies have created a new situation. in the present war. The work of international scientific associations, unlike business dealings or formal diplomatic procedure, results from personal meetings between friends, who must act together in genuine harmony and sincere personal regard. Such personal relations, especially with the men whose families and acquaintances have suffered shameless brutality in the invaded countries, are manifestly impossible at present and they cannot be resumed until Germany and her allies have renounced their former methods and have been readmitted to the concert of civilized nations. Under the circumstances, the Conference decided to recommend the withdrawal from former international organizations and the formation of new ones, in which nations that had been neutral in the war would be invited to take part. It was recognized, of course, that some of the old associations would doubtless be recognized and continued, and these need not be duplicated. But in other cases, as the illustrations just cited sufficiently indicate, there were important reasons for complete reorganization, notably in astronomy, geophysics, and chemistry. There was also a strong demand for a body with more general functions to carry out the tasks that the International Association of Academies had failed to perform. A plan for the establishment of an International Research Council, prepared by the Council of the National Academy of Sciences, was presented to the London Conference by the American delegates. This proposed the organization, by the national academy of each of the countries represented, of a National Research Council, so constituted as to be a federation of research agencies. The details of organization were to be left to each country, but the general principle of uniting research interests in a single representative body was approved. The International Research Council would then consist of a federation of these National Research Councils. A second Inter-Allied Conference was held in Paris under the auspices of the Paris Academy of Sciences from November 26 to November 29, 1918. Delegates were present from the countries represented in London, and also from Poland, Portugal, and Rumania. The International Research Council, proposed in the resolutions adopted in London, was provisionally constituted of the delegates attending the Paris Conference, with the understanding that the various National Research Councils, as soon as formed, would take their place in the federation. An executive committee of five members, representing France, Great Britain, Belgium, Italy, and the United States, was appointed to study in detail the questions presented to the Conference and to undertake other duties, especially those relating to the formation of new international organizations. Provisional statutes were adopted for an International Astronomical Union and an International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. Plans for an International Chemical Union were also presented for subsequent consideration and action. The International Research Council and its associated bodies, the International Astronomical Union, the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union, and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, were formally inaugurated at the Palais des Académies, Brussels, at a meeting held July 18-28, 1919. Tentative statutes were also adopted for the following bodies, which will be organized as soon as circumstances warrant, and with such modifications as careful consideration may render advisable: International Unions of Mathematics (already in process of organization), Physics, Radio |