AN appeal is made by Dr. Arthur J. Evans, F.R.S., for funds to complete the excavation of the “Palace of Minos,” which has now been carried on for seven years. At the beginning of the present year it was thought that supplementary explorations on a comparatively small scale would be sufficient, arid that by the close of the season something like finality might be attained as regards at least the palace site of Knossos. This forecast, however, was by no means borne out by the result. The season's work, which was intended to be of a more or less supplementary nature, broadened out into a somewhat extensive excavation, the result of which is to show that another great campaign must be carried through before the excavation of the palace site at KTIOSSOS approaches completion. It is estimated that at least another 3000l. is required to complete the work, and this must be met by public subscription, for, as Dr. Evans points out, in this matter it is unfortunately impossible for an English explorer to rely, like his French, German, and Italian colleagues, on Government grants or large subventions from national academies. Writing in support of the appeal in the Times of November 21, Prof. C. Waldstein, referring to Cretan exploration as a scientine labour which has brought credit to the British nation all over the world, says:—“In any other European, country the Government would have subsidised, if not paid, all the expenses of what can in no way be considered a private enterprise.... Does not a wider public take some interest in the higher research carried on by the scientific representatives of the nation, and can the-wealthier classes in England not be brought to give material support to the efforts of those who thus stand for the nation's higher culture? Is it impossible to hope for a Government subsidy? If it be not the ‘tradition,’ good traditions can be inaugurated by those who lead the nation. No amount of immediate effort to raise our industries by direct technical education will prepare us to cfope with the competition of the other leading nations of the-world. We must raise the tone of intellectuality by arousing the national interest in the highest forms of intellectual life.” Subscriptions for the Cretan Exploration! Fund can be sent either to Mr. G. A. Macmillan, St. Martin's Street, W.C., or to Messrs. Robarts, Lubbock, and Co., Lombard Street.
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Mar 7, 1942
G W Wright 
Open Access