WELCOME (Translation) 



Gen. Isp. G. N. G. Di Mento 



Navalcostarmi 



Rorne, Italy 



Yesterday you were welcomed to Italy on the banks of the Tiber; today the 

 work of the Symposium begins, preceded by this opening ceremony, at which we 

 see present a large number of lovely ladies whom we thank for the note of bright- 

 ness which they bring. 



In expressing his displeasure at not being able to take part in this opening 

 ceremony, the President of the Republic has granted his esteemed patronage to 

 this Seventh Symposium and has given me the pleasant duty of passing on to you 

 his cordial salutation and his good wishes. 



The participants in the symposium number more than 260; they are accom- 

 panied by about 105 ladies and represent as many as 24 nations. The participa- 

 tion puts into relief the ever-growing interest which studies on naval hydro- 

 dynamics are gaining in all the world— studies which even in times long past 

 have fired the minds of outstanding men who, for their insight, can be defined as 

 the precursors of modern science. One member of the organizing committee 

 has managed to discover among the innumerable works of Leonardo Da Vinci a 

 passage which might be considered one of the first specific studies in this branch 

 of science and which you will find reproduced in the central pages of your pro- 

 gram as a reminder of this symposium. 



The papers to be presented at the general session in the mornings are many 

 in number and of high scientific value. In the afternoons panel discussions have 

 been organized in order to permit the various participants interested in specific 

 studies to exchange their ideas, their opinions, and the results of tests they 

 have carried out. The interest in these discussions is stressed by the large 

 number of participants by which each one is to be attended. And I hope that be- 

 tween one general session and the next panel discussion you may also find the 

 time to go around and to admire the beauties of Rome. 



xm 



