The Scientific Mobilization in Italy for the War.

MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended for review should be sent to The Editor of Science, Garrison-onHudson, N. Y. THE SCIENTIFIC MOBILIZATION IN ITALY FOR THE WAR THE various manifestations of the present war have had, for the most part, their foundation in applied science and industry. The best minds turned to study methods of offense and defense, based on the application of pure or applied science, and inventive genius has had and still has a wide field in which to find new arms and new devices and to perfect those now existing. From the beginning of the war, Italy, no less than her Allies, has mobilized her scientific and industrial forces for the one purpose to which all the activities of the country have had to be devoted, and nothing has been spared to help and perfect the great war-machine which had to bring victory. The work began first individually and as demanded by the necessities of the moment; then, a little at a time, for individual work, for the work of individual scientists as officers on the fighting line or in the rear where their technical skill was required, or in the war industries which had to enlarge all their plants rapidly and modify them according to circumstances, there was substituted a single organization, a state institution. This was founded in order to mobilize properly for war purposes all avail'able Italian scientific forces and all the means at the disposal of the numerous laboratories of the schools and state technical establishments. This institution, which naturally was situated at the Ministry of Arms and Munitions, had the following duties: (1) To classify and mobilize the various scientific institutions according to their possible utilization and t-he means at the disposal of each. (2) To study the problems which were eventually proposed by the military technical offices, distribute them to the laboratories and institutions best adapted to the particular o n A pr il 19 , 2 01 7