— 21 — COUNCIL — MARS 1920 



Prof. VAN EvERDiNGEN Supported Prof. Knudsen because his proposal was 

 put in a vague form, but he did not support the proposal of the other two gentlemen 

 because the raising of one salary opened up other considerations. It would be 

 better at the moment to be content with raising the contributions of the parti- 

 cipating States. Though the entry of other countries would raise the income it 

 would also increase the cost. He considered the present moment particularly suitable 

 for discussing this question, when prices were going up in all countries, and urged 

 that if other States joined the Council now it would be better to ask for the in- 

 creased contribution at once and not to have to raise it next year. 



The General Secretary said that the Bureau was in general agreement with 

 Prof. VAN EvERDiNGEN and would negotiate with the countries in question and 

 try to draw up a proposal as soon as possible. 



The President explained that the great desire of the Bureau, in drawing 

 up the estimates, was to keep within its income, and having regard to the very 

 great expenses, they could not consider increasing the salaries of specialists yet. 

 Prof. Knudsen had moved the Resolution and they might be sure that the Bureau 

 would take the matter into consideration. The contributions of the various countries 

 was a matter which concerned the Governmen,ts and they must be approached 

 through the usual channel of communication, ■ — the Danish Foreign Office. 



The two Budgets for 1919 — 20 and 1920 — 21 were then approved. 



Point 4 a of the Agenda (Present participation and general situa- 

 tion). 



The General Secretary said that a very important point was to be informed 

 as soon as possible with regard to the participation of the United States. He apphed 

 to the representative of the United States Mr. Hutchinson and asked him to do 

 his best to promote the decision of the United States as soon as it might be con- 

 venient to his Government. 



Mr. Hutchinson, of the United States, replied that, speaking personally, 

 having no official authorisation to commit the Government of the United States, 

 he had been very much interested in thé proceedings and was convinced of the 

 importance of this work in the Atlantic region. It was his intention to urge his 

 Government to take a part in these investigations, though he could give no as- 

 surance whatever that his endeavours would meet with success. 



Dr. Redeke felt that this was the proper place in which to say a word or 

 two upon the work done by the Bureau during a time of war with a very small 

 income. In doing so he claimed to represent all the members of the Council, on 

 whose behalf he thanked the personnel of the Bureau and especially the General 

 Secretary, who had succeeded through his carefulness and zeal in bringing this 

 International work through the transition from pre-war to post-war conditions. 

 He moved a formal vote of thanks to the Bureau and the General Secretary for the 

 work they had done during the war. 



