REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, 1914. 15 



ticularly those of Historical Research and Terrestrial Magnet- 

 ism, while much work contemplated for prosecution in foreign 

 countries must be delayed indefinitely if not abandoned. 



But along with these international aspects of the Institution's 

 work, which are not altogether free from disquieting elements, 

 it seems fitting, at this time especially, to mention also, with 

 grateful appreciation, the numerous courtesies and the cordial 

 assistance rendered to investigators of the Institution by repre- 

 sentatives of foreign countries. In a work embracing a wide 

 variety of subjects and extending to nearly every country, it 

 has been essential to solicit advice or aid from many diplomatic 

 and consular officers and from many civil and military author- 

 ities. The response of these officials has been everywhere 

 prompt and helpful, and in all of the varied experience with them 

 there have arisen no misunderstandings and no untoward ob- 

 stacles to the progress of research. This experience serves to 

 emphasize the well-known but as yet quite inadequately utilized 

 fact, that in the fields of tangible investigation, as illustrated 

 especially by the older physical sciences, the disposition to sub- 

 mit questions in dispute to the arbitrament of demonstration is 

 now well nigh spontaneous and universal. Should we not hope, 

 therefore, that the domain of investigation and demonstration 

 may be extended to include the more debatable fields of human 

 interest and inquiry? 



