1 6 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL. 



ment of a temporary committee, thus leaving to the Government of the 

 United States complete freedom of action in determining the personnel 

 of the permanent committee. 



The Santiago congress designated the 12th of October, 191 2, as the 

 date for the assembling of the Second Pan American Scientific Congress. 

 The designation of Washington as the next place of meeting was intended 

 by the representatives of the Latin American countries to emphasize the 

 solidarity of intellectual interests with the United States. The cable- 

 gram of the Secretary of State, expressing the satisfaction of the United 

 States Government at the designation of Washington, was received with 

 much enthusiasm, and it was felt by all those attending the Santiago 

 congress that the Washington meeting would mark an important step in 

 the development of closer intellectual ties between the United States and 

 the Republics of Latin America. 



The provisional committee has held a number of sessions in Washing- 

 ton, and has carefully gone over the situation with a view of presenting 

 to the department tentative suggestions with reference to the preUminary 

 arrangements for the forthcoming congress. 



In furtherance of this purpose the provisional committee begs to rec- 

 ommend : 



First. That an executive committee of seven, with power to appoint 

 subcommittees, be appointed. This committee is to be intrusted with 

 all the arrangements preparatory to the assembling of the congress. 



Second. That a general committee, composed of one representative 

 from each of the associations indicated on the accompanying list be 

 appointed. 



Third. That Canada be invited to participate in the Second Pan Amer- 

 ican Scientific Congress. 



Fourth. That the permanent executive committee be appointed as soon 

 as possible in order that the necessary arrangements may be made for 

 the issuance of invitations and for the formulation of the program of the 

 conference. 



One of the difficulties confronting previous congresses has been the 

 failure to secure the preparation of papers well in advance of the meet- 

 ing of the congress. 



The hope was also expressed at the Santiago congress that it would be 

 possible to concentrate the attention of the various sections of the con- 

 gress on comparatively few questions in order to bring to bear on these 

 questions the results of the best scientific thought and investigation 

 from all sections of the continent. In furtherance of this purpose the 

 provisional committee begs to submit for the consideration of the de- 



