5o8 Biochemical News, Notes and Comment [April-July 



feeling of relief that our Organization for the meeting was so complete. 



My first wire to you was mis-sent by a habitant Operator, who did 

 not think the order of Initials was of any importance. I am very sorry 

 for the delay. I took the first train back to Montreal, arrived this 

 morning, and wired you. 



We had a meeting of all the Exec. Commit. in town this afternoon, 

 and with profound regret, fully realizing what it meant to you and the 

 Soc, decided that the meeting could not be made to go in British ter- 

 ritory this autumn. I wired you at once. 



" Canada is sending the first contingent of 20,000 very soon and 

 a second and third will follow. 



Montrealers feel that we are at war with Germany and Austria, 

 and are behaving as if the enemy were threatening us. 



Th€ Harbor, canals, etc., are under Martial Law. The excur- 

 sions were off, as the Company cancelled our contract, for the 

 steamers for the rapids and harbor, 



No German member of the Soc. would naturally come to British 

 soil and all with German names would be questioned at the bound- 

 ary. Many are even now turned back. We feit that the exclusion 

 of so many prominent members of the Soc. was a high price to pay 

 for a meeting here. 



Any foreigners would be subjected to disagreeable formalities 

 and conditions on Coming here just now, 



It would be impossible to attract to the Convention the slightest 

 public interest in Montreal, outside a few dozen chemists. No one 

 would come to the Conversazione or the Garden parties we had 

 arranged, and while there would surely be the feeling of good fel- 

 lowship among ourselves, it would be overshadowed by the tragic 

 war we are in at present. 



It is sad to look over the wreck of our hopes of a big and suc- 

 cessful meeting. 



Everything was organized and under way even to rehearsing 

 for the Smoker. The toastmaster and Speakers for the banquet, 

 the chemical and other scientific " stunts " for the Conversazione 

 were arranged, the hall for the exhibits prepared, which, by the 

 way, would have been of exceptional interest, We feel very sad 

 about it all to-day I assure you. 



The Principal, Vice Principal and Sir Wm. Osler, who had 

 promised to speak at the banquet, are in Europe, as well as many of 



