86 ANNUAL KEPOHT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1025 



bility of agreeing to it. The State Department referred the matter 

 to the Institution, which replied in part as follows : 



While it is realized that the articles in the proposed new convention would 

 greatly facilitate the dissemination and iutercliange of published information 

 among the various countries, it is also realized that it would be impossible to 

 carry out their stipulations even partially without the expenditure of a con- 

 siderable sum of money annually. So far as the Smithsonian Institution is 

 concerned, it would be impossible to do so without a large Increase in the 

 appropriation made to it for the support of the International Exchange Service. 



The Smithsonian Institution is, therefore, not in a position to carry out 

 even partially the terms proposed in the new convention unless adequate addi- 

 tional funds were appropriated for the purpose. The Institution has, however, 

 always done everytliing in its power to promote this subject since it inaugu- 

 rated a system of international exchange in 1850, and believes that it might 

 be well for this country to consider again at a later and more favorable time 

 the question of adhering to the proposed convention. 



The committee of experts also gave consideration to various other 

 matters looking to the improvement of the international exchange 

 service at large and the extension of its activities. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



C. G. Abbot, 

 Assistant Seci'etary^ in charge of Library and Exchanges. 

 Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 



Secretary, Smithsonian Institution. 



