Evening star., 1940-05-18
Scientists Resolve
To Tighten Ties
OF Hemisphere
Conference Closes With
Welles' Civilization
Trusteeship' PIeo


of Western civilization for the period
OF the present war and with the
adoption Of a score of resolutions
calling for closer cooperation in
the intellectual and cultural life of
the American nations, the eighth
American Scientific Conference
closed here yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Welles in his address at the
closing session said the Western
Hemisphere was in a far better
position" to face the present
European war than it was the World
War of 1914-l8.
He speculated, however, on the
possibility of "a return to the Dark
Ages" in those parts of the world
Wnere Tree inquiry is no longer pos
sible."
AS for the nations of the Western
Hemisphere, he said: eve have a
community of interests. We have
attained a solidarity of intent to
promote and to protect these in
terests. We are, therefore, in a far
better position to face the difficult
days that confront us than were any
of us rs years ago.
World Knows Readiness.
To-day not only are we able to
safeguard our rights and to obtain
respect for our position as neutral
nations desiring to live at peace
with each other and with the world,
but the entire world knows of our
capacity and of our intention to
defend our new world and our in
stitutions."
AT another point Mr.. Welles said:
Inc suppression in some parts
OF the world today of the right of
free inquiry and the endeavor to
control the thoughts of men is of
intimate concern not only to all
scientists, but likewise to all per-
sons who believe that science has
within its grasp the capacity of
remedy in great part the ills of our
present civilization. We cannot but
speculate whether, in those parts
OF the world where free inquiry is
no longer possible, there will not
be, at least in so far as things of
the mind and spirit are concerned.
q return to the Dark Ages. What
nope is there for future generations
IN countries where the state by fiat
mas declared that all persons must
believe glaring distortions of the
truth; where evil is declared to be
good; where falsehood is paraded
as the truth, and where aggression.
pure and simple, is represented as
self-defense."
Resolutions adopted by the con-
ference before its close were:
For the establishment of a Pan
American Institute of Economics
and Social Research.
Investment Opportunity Survey.
A comprehensive survey of the
opportunities for investment in the
countries of the new world SO as to
develop the resources OF those coun-
tries and promote the. exchange of
goods between them.
mat one OF the four American
languages-English, Spanish, Portu-
guese and French-be made a COM
pulsory study in public schools
throughout the Americas, In addi-
ton to the language OF the country
itself.
establishment of permanent sta
tions for the study of cosmic radia-
ton throughout both continents.
establishment of additional mag
netlc observatories throughout the
western Hemisphere and that the
exlstlng chain of such observatories
De extended to include Easter Is
land. station in Brazil and one
In Chile.
Intensification of yellow fever vac
clnation as the only protection
against the lurking menace of inn
gle yellow fever, which has appeared
IN South America during the last
few years.
Cooperative studies on the pinto
olsease, caused by an organism akin
10 tnat OF syphilis, which is wide
spread in some Latin countries.
Would Study Travel.
study by the International Statis-
tlcal Institute, recently formed. of
lnter-American tourist travel
creation OF a census unit for the
Americas at the Library of Congress.
Studies looking to the unification
OF criminal law throughout the
Americas.
Reduction of inter-American DOS
TAI rates on books and scientific
materials.
Compilation of detailed informa-
ton on the possibilities for exchange
graduate study throughout the
Americas.
Creation in Panama of an auton-
omous inter-American university as
center for post graduate work and
summer studies.
Appointment of an inter-Ameri-
can Conservation Committee to pre-
pare an inventory of the natural
resources OF the world and especially
OF the Western Hemisphere.
Would Check Soil Erosion.
Surveys in each country to deter
mine the extent of soil erosion and
setting up OF special soil conserva-
tion services in each country to
~ASSSA AAAAAAS ways Va AASllllllS ILLS evil,
Establishment of an inter-Ameri-
can Institute of Soil Conservation
to map all the soils of the hemi-
sphere.
Setting up in the tropics practical
demonstration areas for rubber pro-
duction, with the participation of
each OF the governments and the
private companies most interested
This Is intended as means of
eventually freeing the Americas of
dependence on East Indian rubber
Compilation by the American
republics south of Mexico of geologic
maps of their own territories,
An inventory by each country of
Its own mineral resources.
The closing note of the conference
was sounded by DR.. Domingo Ramos.
head of the Cuban delero+;o