An International Science Congress

AN INTERNATIONAL- SCIENCE CONGRESS How the World can be made a Paradise for its Inhabitants By Dr. Franklin S. Harris, President of Brigham Young University Time was when it was thought that the only way a person or nation could rise was by the fall of some other individual or group — a sort of "one-man's-pleasure- is-another-man's-pain" idea. This idea is rapidly being cast into the waste heap. We are coming to realize that two men may make a trade without one of them being cheated; they may both be benefited by the exchange. Likewise the fall of one nation may not benefit others; in fact, bad conditions in one country are sure to cause adverse situations in other countries as well. For example, an outbreak of a serious contagious disease in Canada or Mexico cannot but be a menace to the people of the United States. With the development of modern science, it is becoming clear that the truth should be the sole possession of no individual or group; it should be available to all men as soon as it is discovered. In line with this idea we have many international organizations whose purpose is to foster the interchange of knowledge so that the dis- coveries of any scientist living in any country may be available to all of the people of the entire world. If a Japanese scientist should discover the methods of treating some disease, such as leprosy, he would not be doing his duty as a scientist if he kept his knowledge to himself and treated only the few lepers in his vicinity. The modern point of view calls on him to make known to all men his findings so that all lepers everywhere may be helped by his treatment. I have just attended one of these international gatherings which was held in Japan. It was the third Pan-Pacific Science Congress. Its purpose was to consider particularly the problems of countries bor- dering the Pacific ocean. It is a well known fact that most of the more advanced countries, scientifically, are situated around the north Atlantic ocean, and as a result most attention is given to the scientific problems of this area. This means that some of the problems of other sections are likely to be neglected. For example, this Atlantic area is all in the humid part of the world; whereas, more than half of the total land area of the world comes in zones of low rainfall. These Pacific Science Congresses are held every three years. The first session met in Hawaii, the second in Australia, and this last one in Japan. In each case the country in which the congress is held acts as host and pays the expenses. A limited number of scientists are invited from each participating country, through its National Research Council. These are selected

AN INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE CONGRESS 349 Photo by F. S. Harris ONE OF JAPAN'S BEAUTY SPOTS, MIYAJIMA with a view of having authorities covering the major scientific prob- lems of the Pacific area. My own invitation came because of my knowledge of the agriculture of arid sections. The United States led in number of over-seas delegates, with thirty-five members; next came Australia with twenty-two, the Neth- erlands, East Indies, New Zealand, Hawaii, Philippines!, China, Russia, Malay States, Great Britain, France, Canada, and a few other countries. Japan had practically all of her scientific workers on hand to receiye the benefits of the discussions. The more formal part of the congress covered two weeks, but there were many excursions both before and after the meetings to points of scientific interest, so that more than a month was covered altogether. The congress was divided into many sections according to subject matter and papers on similar subjects were grouped together. From the program I take the following sections: Biological Sciences, (General), Physical Sciences, (General), Agriculture, Geography, Architecture (for earth-quake proof construction) , Astronomy, Bot- any, Hygiene and Medicine, Seismology, Geology, Zoology and Fish- ery, Anthropology and Ethnology, and Radio Waves. The Pacific ocean — its currents and life — earthquakes, and vol- canoes, came in for much discussion since these are very live questions in Japan. Chairmen were elected for the various sections. I had the honor of being elected chairman of the section of Agriculture. All the proceedings were carried on in English. The only variation from this was when the Japanese princes spoke in Japanese and some of the French delegates !spoke part of the time in French. They are not entirely willing to have English take the place of the international language which was held so long by the French.

350 IMPROVEMENT ERA One could not go through this congress without being impressed by the oneness of mankind and by the similarity of the problems of all lands. One is overwhelmed at the perfectly marvelous advances which are being made in the various branches of science. Condi- tions which formerly held down mankind are now being eliminated and the world is become a much more desirable place in which to live than it has ever been during the history of man. I was surprised to see how thoroughly united are the scientists of all countries. Truly science knows no bounds, such as color of mm S*sB 'IS Photo by F. S. Harris SCIENTISTS IN BOTANICAL GARDENS. SAPPORO, JAPAN skin, or geographical boundary. It is for all men, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, wealth, or previous condition of servi- tude; its benefits are world-wide and it will gradually help to melt away national hatreds and contention arising from differences of re- ligious and political beliefs. Science aims at the discovery of the truth, and its methods are the best way that man has devised to separate truth from error. Of course, many mistakes are made by workers in science, but by the use of rigorous scientific methods these will gradually be discovered and corrected. Japan demonstrated herself to be the best of hosts. She is a little more ceremonious than we Americans are used to, but if this goes with real politeness it is doubtless a good thing. The country was at its best, and that is saying a good deal. I had an opportunity to see nearly all parts of it and I was charmed by its beauty and im- pressed by the order which I found everywhere.

AN INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE CONGRESS 351 I came from this congress more strongly convinced than ever that when nations1 cease their useless contentions, when individuals are willing to put in the background a part of. their selfishness, when all will work together for the good of all, and when that part of the energy of people which is now spent in contention is diverted to the discovery of truth in a scientific manner, the world can be made a veritable paradise for its inhabitants. On U. S. S. President Van Buren, between Manila and Singapore, November 2 7, 1926 Throughout All Eternity (Dedicated to my Sons and Daughters) I stood at the marriage altar, Two heads were in silence bowed — With terror my heart-beats falter In dread of the priest's black shroud. His ritual, so -deep and smothered, Struck me like an arrow's dart; — "Do you two now take each other E'en until death shall you part?" "And do you now take this woman?" Came accents so cold and terse, "And you, too, this man, in common, For better or for worse? To honor, to love, and cherish, Through all of life's joys and pains? The tie that binds you to perish When your life no more remains?" "I do," thus replied the woman. "I do," so replied the man. "Then take thou this ring as omen Of faith throughout life's short span — A band just to bind each other. Though only for this short life — " And now, as a Priest and Brother, I pronounce you man and wife." The spirit within me trembles, I lift up mine eyes above, How can these earthly made symbols Curtail thus a heaven-made love? And why in the Realms Supernal Cannot these two souls still live, United for aye, eternal, Through Him who has power to give? The veil of deep darkness opens, The mists now fall from mine eyes, A voice from the heavens hath spoken And edict from out the skies; The clouds up above me sever; In Realms far beyond I see: — "I NOW SEAL YOU TWO FOREVER, THROUGHOUT ALL ETERNITY." C. C. Bush