Mareh 8, 1960

Frofensor J.¥. Boyes,
Departwent of Genetics,
MeGill University,

Montreal, Canada

Dear Professor Boyes,

Many thanke for your letter of February 27. I realize
how great a responsibility you would take upon yourself, if you
asked the International Committee today to reconsider the
decision taken at Montreal one and half a year ago.

Yet I believe that such a reconsideration is indicated.
The opposition to Germany as a meeting place is shared by much
wider circles of geneticists than you may be aware. It stems from
the knowledge that peeudo-genetic argumentation served as a
pretext for the extermination of millions with various national
and religious affiliations, while the majority of Gerran geneticists
refrained from voicing any protest. While it is true that almost
two decades have passed since then, it ie also undeniable that
the Nazi Doctrine has survived in a considerable number of adherents
belonging to the ranks of Cerman politicians and, unfortunately,
also German geneticists. It was for precisely thie reason that
the Cerman invitation to the Conference of Human Cenetics was not
accepted.

Regarding a suitable alternative, I know it is not easily
found. However, France, Holland, Switzerland and England have
been mentioned, and maybe the problem could be solved by a
cooperation between several European countries, modelled on the
admirable coordination between Canada and the U.5., which
contributed so much to the success of the Xth International
Congress of Genetics.

I am therefore hoping that a solution acceptable to all
may yet be found.

Youra sincerely,

Bliegbeth Goldschmidt

ec: Frof. E. Hadorn
Prof. I.M. Lerner