REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, 23 



sonian Institution on the project of the International Aroh;eologieal Commission 

 submitted to the diplomaiic re^esentatives of the American Repul)lics," I have the 

 lionor to say that no copy of the proceedings of that meeting has been laid before 

 me. I understand that a project vras submitted at a previous meeting, and that 

 ])ractically no action wan taken at the last meeting alluded to. I have, in accordance 

 with the request of the Dejiartment, cause<l the accompanying memorandum to be 

 prepared. I beg at the same time to refer you to my previous letter to the Depart- 

 uent, of December 12. 



I am, etc., 



iS. P. LAN<iLp:Y, Sirrfidri/. 

 Hon. John Hay, 



Secretary of State, Wat^hhajtoii. 



[InclosTirt'.] 



MEMORANDUM CONCERNING THE PROPOSED COOPERATION AMONG THE AMERICAN REPUB- 

 LICS FOR THE PROMOTION OF ARCH.EOLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH. 



The Smithsonian Institution strongly favors international cooperation in the 

 furthering of scientific work. It initiated and is at present engaged in the interna- 

 tional exchange of scieatitic publications, having agencies throughout the world, 

 besides acting on behalf of the United States Government for the exchange of public 

 documents. It is also acting as the representative of the United States in the 

 compilation of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature. 



Tliere is especial force in such cooperation among the American Republics for the 

 jtroniotion of archaeological and ethnological research, and, for that matter, among 

 all the countries upon the American continent and the adjacent islands, since the 

 I>roblems, so far as they relate to the aboriginal populations, are not defined by 

 present political boundaries. British, Dutch, French, or other foreign possessions 

 on the American continent or in the West Imlies could with advantage be included 

 in the project. 



This cooperation can be best furthered in the first instance by the stimulation of 

 the organizations already in existence for these studies in the various countries. Tlie 

 work is in almost all of the Amei'ican countries carried on at present by the national 

 museums. In tlie United States it is carried on by the National JMuseum and the 

 Bureau of American p]thnology. Wherever such exist it is desirable that they should 

 have the opportunity of an exchange of views and the comparison of work to be 

 unilertaken in order that the great proljlem, which can only be solved by coordina- 

 tion of research, shall be taken up with the greatest etiiciency and economy. An 

 organization of the heads of museums and scientific government bureaus having to 

 do witli archaeology or ethnology could be effected through the Bureau of American 

 Republics, an existing organization. 



To further stimulate archaeological work each American Republic or other State 

 willing to adhere to the scheme might undertake to secure the passage of laws 

 declaring archa-ological and historical objects of unusual interest reserved, and that 

 excavations thereon should be undertaken only by pro])erly organized museums and 

 all waste of archa-ological objects should be prevented. 



The director of the national museum in each country, the head of a bureau or 

 department devoted to the study of arclueology and ethnology, or, where there are 

 none such, some other official duly appointed, should, in executing the law for the 

 protection of antiquities, have a recording officer who should secure a list of all 

 objects taken from tlie ground. 



The passage of laws prohibiting the manufacture of spurious antiquities is also 

 desirable. Such laws, being national laws, would necessarily be executed by 

 national authorities, and each republic or other country or province would be 

 autonomous in this respect. 



