I'RBSIDENTS ADDRESS. V. 



As members of a Scientific Society, we cannot but view with 

 deep concern the way in which the accumulated scientific know- 

 ledge of all the ages is being used, in so far as it is possible to 

 make use of it, for the destruction of human life and property, 

 and the wastage of the world's resources. The theory that the 

 application of Science to warfare under the most modern con- 

 ditions might be looked upon as security for peace, because the 

 results would be too terrible for nations to risk, has broken 

 down. The fruits of armed peace have turned out to be war, on 

 a most stupendous scale, and of the most destructive character. 

 Moreover, this great upheaval, in which Science, the benefactress 

 of the human race, has been commandeered for destructive pur- 

 poses, is exercising a disturbing influence on the normal scientific 

 activity of not only the belligerent nations, but also apparently 

 of some neutral countries. This aspect of the war is brought 

 home to us directly by the fact that, almost immediately after 

 the outbreak of hostilities, our correspondence and exchange 

 relations with Societies abroad forthwith largely entered into a 

 state of suspension. For the Session 1912-13, the total number 

 of donations and exchanges resulted in 1,285 additions to the 

 library, including 401 for the four months, August November. 

 For the Session 1913-14, the corresponding numbers are 1,166, 

 and 264. The significance of this seems to be, that the war has 

 entirely stopped, or has curtailed to a greater or less extent, the 

 work to which Scientific Societies ordinarily devote themselves; 

 though the interruption or interference with the ordinary means 

 of transmission may have something to do with it. Journals in 

 England, which specially concern themselves with bibliographical 

 records, have announced that a diminished supply of publications 

 is hampering their work; so that our experiences are not singular. 

 The outlook for the immediate future is also serious, as statistics 

 now available show that the drain entailed by the war upon 

 the human resources of Universities and other centres of 

 scientific work in the belligerent countries, both in the shape 

 of actual or potential workers, and the consequent general upset 

 of the usual arrangements, threatens to be serious, here as else- 

 where. 



