Note of the editors concerning: ``The spectral mapping theorem, norms on rings, and resultants''. (Q1347839)

From the paper: The Editors of L'Enseignement Mathématique have decided to publish here the referee's report, as it throws some interesting light on the authors' paper. The main result of the paper cited in the title [\textit{D. Laksov}, \textit{L. Svensson} and \textit{A. Thorup}, Enseign. Math., II. Sér. 46, No. 3--4, 349--358 (2000; Zbl 1085.15504)] and many other related results, can be deduced from the fact that if one takes a generic square matrix of size \(n\) of indeterminates over the integers (call \(A_N\) the ring generated by the entries) and forces the characteristic polynomial to factor ``generically'', i.e., one adjoins \(n\) new indeterminates and equates the elementary symmetric functions of these with the coefficients of the characteristic polynomial (with suitable signs), then the resulting ring \(R_n\) is an integral domain.