196 
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 
minations of longitude by wireless at widely distributed stations, and report on what 
seems to be the proper time and method for such undertakings. 
Committee on Solar Radiation: Mr. C. G. Abbott was asked to prepare a report on Solar 
Radiation. 
Committee on the Spectroheliograph: The Mount Wilson Solar Observatory was asked to pre- 
pare a report on work with the Spectroheliograph. 
Committee on Reform of the Calendar: R. T. Crawford, chairman; W. W. Campbell, Harold 
Jacoby. 
The question of delegates to the Paris meeting was left to the Executive 
Committee with power. 
It was voted that the Section ofifer to act in astronomical matters as the 
agent of the Division of Physical Sciences of the National Research Council. 
Various other items of organization and scientific interest were discussed by 
the Section at the morning and afternoon sessions, and in the evening, without 
formal action. 
Joel Stebbins, Secretary, 
Declaration in regard to Enemy Nations 
When more than four years ago the outbreak of war divided Europe into hostile camps 
men of science were still able to hope that the conclusion of peace would join at once the 
broken threads, and that the present enemies might then once more be able to meet in friendly 
conference, uniting their efforts to advance the interests of science; for ever since the revival 
of learning in the Middle Ages the prosecution of knowledge has formed a bond strong enough 
to resist the strain of national antagonism. And this bond was strengthened during the lat- 
ter part of last century, when branches of science developed reciuiring for their study the co- 
operation of all the civilized nations of the world. International Associations and Confer- 
ences rapidly multiplied, and the friendly intercourse between the learned representatives of 
different countries grew more intimate, in spite of their political differences, which were ad- 
mitted, but not insisted upon. 
In former times war frequently interrupted the co-operation of individuals without de- 
stroying the mutual esteem based on the recognition of intellectual achievements; peace then 
soon effaced the scars of a strife that was ended. If to-day the representatives of the Scien- 
tific Academies of the Allied Nations are forced to declare that they will not be able to resume 
personal relations in scientific matters with their enemies until the Central Powers can be 
re-admitted into the concert of civilized nations, they do so with a full sense of responsibility, 
and they feel bound to record the reasons which have led them to this decisioUo 
Civilization has imposed restrictions on the conduct of nations which are intended to serve 
the interests of humanity, and to maintain a high standard, of honour, such as the recogni- 
tion of the sanctity of treaties — especially those designed to apply to a state of war — and the 
avoidance of unnecessary cruelties inflicted on civilians. In both these respects, the Central 
Powers have broken the ordinances of civilization, disregarding all conventions, and unbri- 
dling the worst passions which the ferocity of war engenders. War is necessarily full of cruel- 
ties; individual acts of barbarity cannot be avoided and have to be borne. It is not of these 
we speak, but of the organized horrors encouraged and initiated from above with the sole 
object of terrorizing unoffending communities. The wanton destruction of property, the 
murders and outrages on land and sea, the sinking of hospital ships, the insults and tortures 
inflicted on prisoners of war, have left a stain on the history of the guilty nations, which can- 
not be removed by mere compensation of the material damage inflicted. In order to restore 
the confidence without which no scientific intercourse can be fruitful, the Central Powers 
must renounce the political methods which have led to the atrocities that have shocked the 
civilized world. 
