514 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE. 



bodies which shine equally upon all, directs attention to our common 

 interests and exposes the artificial nature of political boundaries. 

 The meetings in common discussion of earnest workers in the fields 

 of knowledge tend to obliterate the superficial distinctions of manner 

 and outward bearing which so often get exaggerated until they are 

 mistaken for deep-seated national characteristics. 



I am afraid I have only given a very inadequate account of the 

 serious interests which are already involved in international scientific 

 investigations. But if I may point once more to Indian meteorology 

 and insist on the vital importance of an effective study of the condi- 

 tions which rule the monsoon, everyone will, I think, realize how 

 impossible it is to separate scientific from national interests. The 

 solution of this particular problem requires an intimate cooperation 

 with Central Asia and Siberia — a coo]K'ration which has been easily 

 secured. I do not Avish to exaggerate the civilizing value of scientific 

 investigation, but the great problems of creation link all humanity 

 together, and it may yet come to pass that when diplomacy fails — 

 and it often comes perilously near failure — it will fall to the men of 

 science and learning to preserve the peace of the Avorld. 



