Liaison

When modern nations go to war, they take their scientists with them. The technique of atom-splitting, for example, is not yet a part of military technology, but physicists who can split atoms have a bundle of special knowledge and special tricks with apparatus which military and naval technologists can use. From both London and Paris last week scientific laboratories were being moved to hideouts in the country. There was much secrecy about which scientists would do what, but the liaison between scientists and war was clear.

In Britain, the Ministry of Labor set up a Central Register of Persons with Scientific, Professional, Technical or Higher Administrative Qualifications. Persons so qualified who want to help the Allies win the war send in their names to the register. Government departments and industries send in their demands for trained personnel. The Central Register officials then match qualifications against demands, suggest a specific person for a specific job. If mutually satisfactory, the appointment is made. At week's end a large but undisclosed number of scientists had registered but few allocations had been put through.

In France, the "voluntary mobilization" of scientists was further advanced. A decree law of May 1938 instituted the High Council of Scientific Research Coordination, which has numerous subsections--e.g., mathematics, biology, hydraulics, chemistry, optics, ballistics, telecommunications--working closely with the Institute for Applying Scientific Research to National Defense. The Council's officers, members and associates include four Nobel Prizewinners--Jean Perrin, Frederic Joliot-Curie, Irene Joliot-Curie, Prince Louis Victor de Broglie.

In Germany last week the liaison between science and the army was perfect: every scientist, of whatever stripe or affiliation, stood ready to obey the commands of his Government.

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