Description | Is anxious to place a matter unofficially before the Royal Society. Informs them that he has been called on by Professor [Rodolfo] Lanciani on behalf of the Italian Academia [Academy] dei Lincei. Lanciani told him that that he had learnt from the French Academy that the Royal Society had approached them asking to hold a conference of learned societies to discuss scientific work. The Italian Academy was surprised not to be associated with the allies in the preliminary conference. Notes that they should have been included sooner, as one of the three great powers. Similar situations have occured during the war where the Italian Academy has felt left out of decision-making (speculates that it is because France is closer and easier to communicate with). Urges them to emphasise the 'intimacy of the alliance in scientific issues not less than in political ones'.
Also comes with blue memorandum dated 18 February 1918, asking for a copy of this letter for the Minutes, signed R.W.F.H. [Robert William Frederick Harrison, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society]. |