The sun., 1919-01-05
PRESIDENT ELECTED
TO ROYAL ACADEMY
King and Queen of Italy
Present at Ceremony.

ROME, Jan. 4-President Wilson was
made a member of the Royal Academy
of Science, this morning.
The President and Mrs. Wilson were
seated between the King and Queen.
while others present were the American
Ambassador. Thomas Nelson Page, and
other members Of the diplomatic corps
and many distinguished Italian officials
and scientists.
Senator d'Onidio. who is president OF
the academy. hailed the President as
the worthy representative of the culture
OF the new world, which now revivties
the ancient culture OF the old world. In
reply President Wilson said:
Your Majesty, Mr.. President and
Gentlemen Of the Academy:
II have listened with the profoundest
appreciation to the beautiful address
which you have been kind enough to de-
liver, and i want to say how deeply |
appreciate the honor you have conferred
upon me in permitting ne TO become a
member of this great academy. because
there Is sense in which the continuity
Of human thought Is In the care OF
bodies like this. There is serenity, a
long view. on the part OF science. which
seems TO be of no age, but TO carry
human thought along from generation to
generation freed from the clements OF
passion.
High Aim Of Science.
Therefore. It is, dare say. with all
men OF science a matter OF profound
regret and shame that science should in
nation which has made science its
boast have been put to such dishonorable
uses in the recent war. Every Just
mind must condemn those who so de-
! based tho studies OF men Of science as to
use them against humanity. and, there
fore, II is part of your task and OF ours
to reclaim science from this disgrace
to show that ehe Is devoted to the ad.
vancement and interest of humanity
and not to Its embarrassments and de.
struction.
II wish very much that could be.
l'eve that 7 was In some sense a worth!
representative OF the men OF science Of
the United States l cannot claim 70 h,
in any proper sense a man OF science
My studies have been in the field o.
politics all my life, and, while politics
may by courtesy be called a science, +
IL science which is often prao SCI
without rule and is very hard to set VI
standards for 80 that one can be sur,
that one Is steering the right course.
Mission Of the Academy.
| Al the same time, while perhap
there is no science OF government, Their
ought to be. ! dare say. in government
itself the spirit OF science, that is to ga,
the spirit of disinterest edness the spiri
OF seeking after the truth 80 far as tn
truth Is ready TO be applied to human
Circumstance. Because, after all. IN
problem Of politics Is to satisfy men II
the arrangements OF their lives. Is Z
realize for them. so far as possible. tn
objects which they have entertained
generation after generation and hay
seen so often postponed.
Therefore l have often thought tina
the universities and academies OF sclenC
have their part In simplifying the prob
lens OF political affairs. and thus as
slst!ng TO advance human life along tn
lines of political structure and poltica
action.
ut is very delightful to draw apart 70
little while into this quiet place an
feel again that familiar touch OF though
and Of knowledge which Il has been IN
privilege TO know Familiarity through :
great a part OF my life. II | have com
out on more adventurous and dsor
dered stage l hope that ! have not los
the recollection and may in some sens
be assisted by counsels such as yours.