XLVIII THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



bringing about close personal relations between savants of all the 

 leading countries. 



We are all in accord with the conclusion that international co- 

 operation in science cannot be complete until the time comes when it 

 is world wide; we cannot but agree to the essential unity of science 

 and to the exceptional character of the present arrangements; but, 

 until the leading professors of Germany show signs of repentance 

 regarding their servility towards the former German government 

 and declare that they were beguiled by their own propaganda into 

 acquiescence in barbarities which they now deplore, immediate personal 

 relations with their colleagues among the Allies must be denied. 



The Congress was emphatic in its verdict that personal relations 

 with the unrepentant signatories of the famous manifesto are out of 

 the question, and even the impersonal and cool co-operation of science 

 is rendered more difficult if it is assumed that we have nothing to 

 forgive and forget. 



This attitude of the International Research Council and its asso- 

 ciated unions has not met with the approval of the neutral nations. 

 An appeal for a reconsideration of this decision has recently been 

 issued. It is signed by 177 members of Academies represented in the 

 pre-war International Association of Academies, and is being sent to 

 the learned societies and academies in Allied countries. The signa- 

 tures are chiefly those of Swedes, Norwegians, Danes and Dutch. 

 There are a number of distinguished names on the list, but there is a 

 notable absence from it of the many distinguished neutral savants 

 who were known to sympathize with the cause of the Allies. 



The signatories say that they "do not dispute the facts adduced, 

 but only the conclusion that it is impossible to resume personal rela- 

 tions even in science" ; they urge that in any case, especially in scientific 

 matters, "it is alike impossible and disadvantageous to propose to 

 neglect work thatmaybe done in Germany, or to decline co-operation." 



The answer given by the inter-allied convention was — "With 

 the general sentiments in favor of complete international co-operation 

 all are agreed, but co-operation without confidence is impracticable, 

 and that confidence can only be restored by a formal disavowal of the 

 German methods." 



This division of opinion among the people of the neutral nations 

 as to the recognition of Germany follows naturally from their divi- 

 sion of opinion regarding the claims of the belligerents during the war. 

 An active propaganda in favor of immediate recognition would, 

 however, not only defeat the very object they have in view, but 



