REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 89 
conventions were broadly worded and allowed for the adherence of other 
states than those that became signatories at the time. The signers were the 
pienipotentiaries of the United States of America, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Portu- 
gal and the Algarves, Servia, Spain, and the Swiss Confederation. Later the 
Argentine Republic, Paraguay, and Uraguay signified their adherence, while 
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Liberia, the Netherlands, New 
South Wales, Peru, Queensland, and Russia have established international 
exchange bureaus without, however, giving their formal adherence to the con- 
ventions. From this it will be seen that there are eleven states that have 
adhered to the conventions and an equal number that have established bureaus 
without adherence, while Great Britain, Germany, and the other countries 
contribute no funds toward the organization of this movement. 
It is therefore obvious that under the existing conditions it is not reorganiza- 
tion but organization that is needed, and this may readily be accomplished under 
the conventions now in force, as they form a firm foundation for a great 
internationai institution. The provisions in these conventions made twenty 
years ago may need revision in order to conform to recent international advance- 
ment, and it is possible that the powers that have already agreed to the con- 
ventions and lent their support might be willing to reopen them, provided 
that the powers that have not come in are willing to join in the organization 
of an international exchange service. 
The international exchanges as now carried on are of two classes—scientifie 
and literary publications and official Government publications. The first 
named of these is of the utmost importance to the cause of education, both 
scholastic and technical, which the present service has materially advanced 
by enabling individuals and institutions of learning to disseminate knowledge 
without restriction and practically without cost to themselves. The scientific 
institutions are appreciating more and more the fact that their endowmerts are 
entirely inadequate to provide for the many calls made upon them, and if 
in addition to printing their own publications they shouid have to purchase 
those of foreign institutions and pay the cost of transportation it would mean 
that some part of their work would have to be abandoned. It is therefore to a 
system of international exchanges that they must look for relief in this matter. 
The Government exchanges are necessary in, order that Governments may 
ascertain what is being accomplished along similar lines in other countries, 
and as such publications are issued at the expense of the Governments they 
should also be distributed at their expense. 
The International Exchange Service of the United States is under the direc- 
tion of the Smithsonian Institution, and was originally inaugurated for the 
purpose of transmitting publications presented by institutions and individuals 
in the United States to correspondents abroad, in exchange for like contribu- 
tions from such recipients, as one of the most eflicient means for the ‘ diffusion 
of knowledge among men,” and the entire expense, including that for the 
exchange of documents published by the Government from 1850 to 1881, was 
paid from the private funds of the Institution. > 
Through the action of Congress, upon recommendation of the Department of 
State, the Smithsonian Institution is recognized by the United States Govern- 
ment as the American agency for the international exchange of governmental, 
scientific, and literary publications. By the congressional resolutions passed in 
1867 and 1901 a certain number of United States Government publications 
are set aside for exchange with those of foreign countries, to be sent regularly 
te designated depositories. In accordance with those resolutions there are 
now forwarded abroad 55 full sets of United States official publications and 
33 partial sets; the official journal of the preceedings of Congress, the 
Congressional Record, is transmitted by mail daily to each of the Parliaments 
that is willing to reciprocate. 
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909, the number of packages for- 
warded through the international exchanges of the United States amounted 
to 228,875. These packages were sent direct from this country to the one 
for which they were intended, and from long experience this has been found 
to be the quickest and most satisfactory method. During the last year nearly 
2,000 boxes were shipped in this way without the loss of a single consignment. 
Shipments are made regularly at least once a month, should the sending be 
but one package, and to the larger countries every week. 
A card index is kept of all correspondents, and upon these ecards are 
recorded the packages sent and received by each institution and individual. 
