diff options
Diffstat (limited to '17759.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 17759.txt | 8629 |
1 files changed, 8629 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/17759.txt b/17759.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..541950f --- /dev/null +++ b/17759.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8629 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of International Conference Held at Washington +for the Purpose of Fixing a Prime Meridian and a Universal Day. October, 1884., by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: International Conference Held at Washington for the Purpose of Fixing a Prime Meridian and a Universal Day. October, 1884. + Protocols of the Proceedings + +Author: Various + +Release Date: February 12, 2006 [EBook #17759] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Joseph Myers, Richard J. +Shiffer and the Online Distributed Proofreading team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + + + +INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE + +HELD AT WASHINGTON + +FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIXING + +A PRIME MERIDIAN + +AND + +A UNIVERSAL DAY. + +OCTOBER, 1884. + + +PROTOCOLS OF THE PROCEEDINGS. + + +WASHINGTON, D. C. + +GIBSON BROS., PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS. + +1884. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + Page + + I. Protocol, October 1, 1884 1 + + II. Protocol, October 2, 1884 13 + + III. Protocol, October 6, 1884 35 + + IV. Protocol, October 13, 1884 73 + + V. Protocol, October 14, 1884 113 + + VI. Protocol, October 20, 1884 151 + + VII. Protocol, October 22, 1884 195 + + VIII. Protocol, November 1, 1884 205 + + Final Act 199 + + Act of Congress authorizing the President of the + United States to invite the Conference (ANNEX I) 209 + + Act of Congress making appropriation for expenses + (ANNEX II) 209 + + Circular to United States representatives abroad + bringing the subject to the attention of foreign + governments (ANNEX III) 210 + + Circular to United States ministers extending + invitation to foreign governments (ANNEX IV) 211 + + + + +International Meridian Conference + +HELD IN THE + +CITY OF WASHINGTON. + + + + +I. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 1, 1884. + + +The Delegates to the International Meridian Conference, who assembled +in Washington upon invitation addressed by the Government of the +United States to all nations holding diplomatic relations with it, +"for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper to be employed as a +common zero of longitude and standard of time-reckoning throughout the +globe," held their first conference to-day, October 1, 1884, in the +Diplomatic Hall of the Department of State. + +The following delegates were present: + + On behalf of Austria-Hungary-- + + Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Brazil-- + + Dr. LUIZ CRULS, + _Director of the Imperial Observatory of Rio Janeiro_. + + On behalf of Colombia-- + + Commodore S. R. FRANKLIN, _U. S. Navy_, + _Superintendent U. S. Naval Observatory_. + + On behalf of Costa Rica-- + + Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA, + _Civil Engineer_. + + On behalf of France-- + + Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, + _Minister Plenipotentiary and Consul-General_. + Mr. JANSSEN, _of the Institute_, + _Director of the Physical Observatory of Paris_. + + On behalf of Germany-- + + Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Great Britain-- + + Captain Sir F. J. O. EVANS, + _Royal Navy_. + + Prof. J. C. ADAMS, + _Director of the Cambridge Observatory_. + + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, + _Member of the Council of India_. + + Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, + _Representing the Dominion of Canada_. + + On behalf of Guatemala-- + + M. MILES ROCK, + _President of the Boundary Commission_. + + On behalf of Hawaii-- + + Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER, + _Surveyor-General_. + + Hon. LUTHER AHOLO, + _Privy Counsellor_. + + On behalf of Italy-- + + Count ALBERT DE FORESTA, + _First Secretary of Legation_. + + On behalf of Japan-- + + Professor KIKUCHI, + _Dean of the Scientific Dep't of the University of Tokio_. + + On behalf of Mexico-- + + Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, + _Civil Engineer_. + Mr. ANGEL ANGUIANO, + _Director of the National Observatory of Mexico_. + + On behalf of Paraguay-- + + Captain JOHN STEWART, + _Consul-General_. + + On behalf of Russia-- + + Mr. C. DE STRUVE, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + Major-General STEBNITZKI, + _Imperial Russian Staff_. + Mr. J. DE KOLOGRIVOFF, + _Conseiller d'Etat actuel_. + + On behalf of San Domingo-- + + Mr. M. DE J. GALVAN, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Salvador-- + + Mr. ANTONIO BATRES, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Spain, + + Mr. JUAN VALERA, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + Mr. EMILIO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, + _Naval Attache to the Spanish Legation_. + Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, + _Officer of the Navy_. + + On behalf of Sweden-- + + Count CARL LEWENHAUPT, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Switzerland-- + + Colonel EMILE FREY, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of the United States-- + + Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, + _U. S. Navy_. + + Mr. LEWIS M. RUTHERFURD. + + Mr. W. F. ALLEN, + _Secretary Railway Time Conventions_. + + Commander W. T. SAMPSON, + _U. S. Navy_. + + Professor CLEVELAND ABBE, + _U. S. Signal Office_. + + On behalf of Venezuela-- + + Senor Dr. A. M. SOTELDO, + _Charge d'Affaires_. + + The following delegates were not present: + + On behalf of Chili-- + + Mr. FRANCISCO VIDAL GORMAS, + _Director of the Hydrographic Office_. + + Mr. ALVARO BIANCHI TUPPER, + _Assistant Director_. + + On behalf of Denmark-- + + Mr. CARL STEEN ANDERSEN DE BILLE, + _Minister Resident and Consul-General_. + + On behalf of Germany-- + + Mr. HINCKELDEYN, + _Attache of the German Legation_. + + On behalf of Liberia-- + + Mr. WILLIAM COPPINGER, + _Consul-General_. + + On behalf of the Netherlands-- + + Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN, + _Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary_. + + On behalf of Turkey-- + + RUSTEM EFFENDI, + _Secretary of Legation_. + +The delegates were formally presented to the Secretary of State of the +United States, the Honorable FREDERICK T. FRELINGHUYSEN, in his office +at 12 o'clock. Upon assembling in the Diplomatic Hall, he called the +Conference to order, and spoke as follows: + + GENTLEMEN: It gives me pleasure, in the name of the + President of the United States, to welcome you to this + Congress, where most of the nations of the earth are + represented. You have met to discuss and consider the + important question of a prime meridian for all nations. It + will rest with you to give a definite result to the + preparatory labors of other scientific associations and + special congresses, and thus make those labors available. + + Wishing you all success in your important deliberations, and + not doubting that you will reach a conclusion satisfactory + to the civilized world, I, before leaving you, take the + liberty to nominate, for the purpose of a temporary + organization, Count Lewenhaupt. + + It will afford this Department pleasure to do all in its + power to promote the convenience of the Congress and to + facilitate its proceedings. + +By the unanimous voice of the Conference the Delegate of Sweden, Count +LEWENHAUPT, took the chair, and said that, for the purpose of +proceeding to a permanent organization, it was necessary to elect a +President, and that he had the honor to propose for that office the +chairman of the delegation of the United States of America, Admiral C. +R. P. Rodgers. + +The Conference agreed unanimously to the proposition thus made, +whereupon Admiral RODGERS took the chair as President of the +Conference, and made the following address: + + GENTLEMEN: I beg you to receive my thanks for the high honor + you have conferred upon me in calling me, as the chairman of + the delegation from the United States, to preside at this + Congress. To it have come from widely-separated portions of + the globe, delegates renowned in diplomacy and science, + seeking to create a new accord among the nations by agreeing + upon a meridian proper to be employed as a common zero of + longitude and standard of time reckoning throughout the + world. Happy shall we be, if, throwing aside national + preferences and inclinations, we seek only the common good + of mankind, and gain for science and for commerce a prime + meridian acceptable to all countries, and secured with the + least possible inconvenience. + + Having this object at heart, the Government of the United + States has invited all nations with which it has diplomatic + relations to send delegates to a Congress to assemble at + Washington to-day, to discuss the question I have indicated. + The invitation has been graciously received, and we are here + this morning to enter upon the agreeable duty assigned to us + by our respective governments. + + Broad as is the area of the United States, covering a + hundred degrees of longitude, extending from 66 deg. 52' west + from Greenwich to 166 deg. 13' at our extreme limit in Alaska, + not including the Aleutian Islands; traversed, as it is, by + railway and telegraph lines, and dotted with observatories; + long as is its sea coast, of more than twelve thousand + miles; vast as must be its foreign and domestic commerce, + its delegation to this Congress has no desire to urge that a + prime meridian shall be found within its confines. + + In my own profession, that of a seaman, the embarrassment + arising from the many prime meridians now in use is very + conspicuous, and in the valuable interchange of longitudes + by passing ships at sea, often difficult and hurried, + sometimes only possible by figures written on a black-board, + much confusion arises, and at times grave danger. In the use + of charts, too, this trouble is also annoying, and to us who + live upon the sea a common prime meridian will be a great + advantage. + + Within the last two years we have been given reason to hope + that this great desideratum may be obtained, and within a + year a learned Conference, in which many nations were + represented, expressed opinions upon it with singular + unanimity, and in a very broad and catholic spirit. + + I need not trespass further upon your attention, except to + lay before you the subject we are invited to discuss: the + choice of "a meridian to be employed as a common zero of + longitude and standard of time reckoning throughout the + world;" and I shall beg you to complete our organization by + the election of a Vice-President, and the proper Secretaries + necessary to the verification of our proceedings. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate from France, stated that on behalf of his +colleague he would suggest that all motions and addresses made in +English should be translated into French. + +The PRESIDENT inquired whether the proposition made by the Delegate +for France met with the approval of the Conference, when it was +unanimously agreed to. + +The PRESIDENT thereupon said that he was ready to lay before the +Conference the subject of the election of Vice-President. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, the Delegate of Sweden, stated that elections in +such large bodies were always difficult, and inquired whether it was +necessary to have a Vice-President. He further said that for his part +he had every reason to hope and to expect that the services of a +Vice-President would not be required. + +It was thereupon agreed that a Vice-President should be dispensed +with. + +The PRESIDENT then stated that the next business was the election of +Secretaries; but suggested, in view of the proceedings already had, +and of the necessity of some consultation in regard to the matter, +that the election might be postponed till to-morrow. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain, stated that he saw no reason why the +nomination of Secretaries could not be made just as well at present as +at any future time. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, inquired what would be the functions +of the Secretaries. + +The PRESIDENT in reply said that an acting Secretary had been +appointed by the Secretary of State, who was at the same time a +stenographer, and that the principal labor of keeping the records of +the Conference would devolve upon him; that nevertheless regular +Secretaries of the Conference had to be appointed, for the purpose of +examining and verifying the protocols from day to day, which would be +the more important in the event of the records of the Conference being +made in two or three different languages, and that these Secretaries +ought no doubt to be members of the Conference, in order to give the +requisite authenticity to the acts thereof, and, in view of the +character of the proceedings, should be specialists and informed as to +the subjects under discussion. + +Mr. SOTELDO, Delegate of Venezuela, said that he thought the +Conference should adjourn until to-morrow, as they had done already +enough to-day in settling its organization; that by adjourning over it +would give an opportunity to the delegates to consult as to the +functions of the Secretaries, and who would be most likely to be +qualified for those functions; that there were gentlemen from +different countries who were not familiar with the English language, +and by to-morrow the Conference could determine as to the languages in +which the proceedings should be had, although, as it seemed to him, +that the proceedings should be recorded in French and English. He then +moved that the Conference adjourn until to-morrow. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, stated that he agreed with what had +been said by the President, that the Conference should have +Secretaries who were specialists, and that the proceedings should be +recorded in two languages. By adjourning till to-morrow he thought +that the delegates would have an opportunity to reflect upon the +subject, and to come back prepared to vote upon it. + +The PRESIDENT then stated that if any delegates wished to make +propositions in regard to the proceedings to-morrow it would be in the +power of the Conference to proceed to the consideration of those +subjects after the election of the Secretaries, and he suggested to +the Delegate of Venezuela (Mr. Soteldo) that the motion to adjourn be +withdrawn for the present. + +The Delegate of Venezuela thereupon withdrew his motion. + +Mr. FREY, Delegate of Switzerland, said that, in his opinion, the +order of proceedings to-morrow should be first a general discussion. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain, stated that he thought the proceedings +should be recorded in two languages at least, and that Secretaries +conversant with these languages and specially acquainted with the +subject matter pending before the Conference should be selected; that, +in order to have the record of the proceedings accurate, officers +qualified in this way were requisite, and that it would be preferable +to elect these officers after consultation among the members of the +Conference, which could be had between now and the meeting to-morrow. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden, said that he saw no difficulty +in deciding now that the order of proceedings to-morrow would be first +the election of the Secretaries and then a general discussion, and he +moved that this proposition be adopted. + +The Conference then unanimously agreed to the proposition. + +Professor ABBE, Delegate of the United States, inquired whether it +would not facilitate the action of the Conference to-morrow if the +President appointed a committee now who could nominate the +Secretaries. + +The PRESIDENT replied by asking whether it would not be better to +select this committee at a subsequent meeting, rather than at the +first meeting, which was held to-day. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, then gave notice +that at the session to-morrow he would bring before the Conference the +question whether the meetings shall be open to the public or not, and +that he would, at the proper time, also make a motion for the purpose +of determining the sense of the Conference as to the propriety of +inviting distinguished scientists, some of whom are now in Washington, +and who may desire to be present at the meetings of this Conference, +to take part in the discussion of the questions pending. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, stated that in regard to the first +proposition--that is, as to making the proceedings public, he would +object, inasmuch as he thought that by opening the doors of this +Conference to the public nothing could be gained, while the +proceedings might be embarrassed or delayed by such a course. + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of England, stated that he did not favor the +first proposition to make the proceedings of this Conference public, +but he did agree with the second proposition, and thought it was a +very important and valuable one. + +The PRESIDENT remarked that the propositions made by the Delegate of +the United States of America were merely in the nature of a notice, +and that they were not before the Conference at the present time, and, +consequently, were not the subject of discussion; still he thought +that much good could be elicited from this interchange of opinions in +a preliminary way. + +Captain STEWART, Delegate of Paraguay, said that he thought that it +would be a very good thing, in view of the proposition to make the +meetings public, to invite all the world to the Capitol for the +discussion of these subjects. + +Professor ABBE, Delegate of the United States, stated that it would be +perfectly practicable to have the discussions of the Conference +printed in full from day to day for our own official use, and that the +public might thereby be made familiar with the proceedings if it were +necessary. + +The PRESIDENT announced that arrangements had been made by the State +Department whereby the proceedings of each day would be printed and +furnished in time for the examination of the members of the Conference +before the next meeting, and that they would be printed in two +languages, French and English; but that these records or protocols +could not be regularly verified until the Conference shall have +appointed duly authorized Secretaries. + +Baron VON SCHAEFFER, Delegate of Austro-Hungary, asked that a list of +the delegates be presented to each of the members of the Conference. + +The PRESIDENT replied that he would instruct the acting Secretary (Mr. +Peddrick) to have the list prepared. + +Upon the motion of Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia, the Conference +then adjourned until to-morrow, (Thursday,) the second instant, at one +o'clock p. m. + + + + +II. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 2, 1884. + + +The Conference met pursuant to adjournment in the Diplomatic Hall of +the Department of State, at one o'clock p. m. + +Present: + + Austria-Hungary: Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Colombia: Commodore S. R. FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. C. ADAMS, + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Guatemala: Mr. MILES ROCK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER, Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, Mr. ANSEL ANGUIANO. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, Mr. + KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. DE J. GALVAN. + Salvador: Mr. ANTONIO BATRES. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILIO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, + and Mr. JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Switzerland: Col. EMILE FREY, Professor HIRSCH. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFORD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, Professor CLEVELAND ABBE. + Venezuela: Senor Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + +Absent: + + Chili: Mr. F. V. GORMAS and Mr. A. B. TUPPER. + Denmark: Mr. O. S. A. DE BILLE. + Liberia: Mr. WM. COPPINGER. + Netherlands: Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN. + Turkey: RUSTEM EFFENDI. + +The PRESIDENT stated that the first business before the Conference was +the election of Secretaries. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia, stated that it was his opinion that +it would be very difficult to elect Secretaries by a direct vote, and +he proposed that the selection of the Secretaries be left to a +Committee to be appointed by the President; that the Committee present +the names of the officers selected to the Conference, and that these +Secretaries be four in number. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden, stated that it was generally +understood among the delegates that Mr. Hirsch, one of the delegates +from Switzerland, should be elected a Secretary, as he was a Secretary +of the Conference held at Rome, but as he has not yet arrived, he +proposed that the Conference elect only three Secretaries to-day. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia, stated that he believed that Mr. +Hirsch would soon arrive, and he accepted the amendment just offered. + +The original motion, as modified by the amendment, was thereupon +unanimously agreed to. + +The Chair appointed the Delegate of Russia, Mr. de Struve, the +Delegate from Spain, Mr. Valera, the Delegate from France, Mr. +Lefaivre, and the Delegate from Sweden, Count Lewenhaupt, as the +Committee to select the Secretaries. + +The Conference thereupon took a recess, to enable the Committee to +consult and report. + +Upon the reassembling of the Conference, the Delegate of Sweden, Count +Lewenhaupt, announced that the Committee had selected for Secretaries +the Delegate from Great Britain, Lieut.-General Strachey, the Delegate +of France, Mr. Janssen, and the Delegate from Brazil, Dr. Cruls. + +The report of the Committee was then unanimously adopted by the +Conference, and the Delegates named as Secretaries signified their +acceptance of the office. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia, moved that the President direct the +Acting Secretary to arrange the seats of the Delegates according to +the alphabetical order of the countries represented. He added that it +would be a great convenience to the members to have their seats +permanently fixed. + +The motion was unanimously agreed to. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, then presented the +following resolution: + + _Resolved_, That the Congress invite Prof. Newcomb, + Superintendent of the United States Nautical Almanac; Prof. + Hildgard, Superintendent of the United States Coast and + Geodetic Surveys; Professor A. Hall; Professor De + Valentiner, Director of the Observatory at Karlsruhe; and + Sir William Thomson, to attend the meetings of this + Congress. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of England, stated that, as he understood +this resolution, it would not necessarily authorize the parties +invited to take any part in the discussions. + +The PRESIDENT stated that the resolution seems merely to invite the +gentlemen to be present. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, stated that he thought it +necessary to clear up this matter a little; that if the gentlemen +invited could not address the Conference, it seemed very little use to +have them invited; that it was not for their own advantage but for +that of the Conference that the invitations were extended to those +scientific gentlemen, and therefore he thought it was the intention in +inviting them to have the benefit of any information which they might +desire from time to time to express on the subjects before the +Congress. He thought that if any remarks on the part of these +gentlemen were presented to the Conference, with the assent of the +Congress, through the President, that would doubtless meet all the +requirements of the case. + +The PRESIDENT inquired whether the Delegate of Great Britain meant +that the remarks should be presented in writing. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, replied that that would +not necessarily be the case. + +Prof. ABBE, Delegate of the United States, inquired whether the +persons named in the resolution were the only ones to be invited. + +The PRESIDENT replied that it was so, so far as the Chair was +informed, but that it would be in order at any time to add new names +in the same way. + +Prof. ABBE, Delegate of the United States, stated that this was a +matter which he had very much at heart, and he would like to observe +that some of the nations which were invited to send Delegates to this +Conference had failed to do so, and that it would be a courtesy to +invite persons of those nations to be present. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, stated that after +consulting with a number of the delegates he drew the resolution, and +that it was suggested to him this very morning that possibly there +might be a difference of opinion as to whether these gentlemen should +take part in the discussion, and that that was the reason why the +first resolution merely proposed to invite them to be present. He +stated that he proposed subsequently to submit another resolution +authorizing these gentlemen to take part in the discussion; that he +thought that the original intention was to confer an honor on certain +distinguished scientists, and that it would be well for the Conference +to limit the invitation to gentlemen of that character. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, stated that he was opposed to the +proposition to admit to the deliberations of this Conference +gentlemen, no matter how distinguished or eminent they might be, who +were not specially delegated by their Governments as members of this +body. He questioned the power of the Conference to admit to its +discussions persons who were not regularly appointed to vote upon the +subject at issue; that this was an international conference created +for the purpose of obtaining an interchange of views from the +representatives of the different Governments; that it would extend the +scope of the work before this body to entertain the views and opinions +of persons not authorized to speak for the Governments whose Delegates +are here; that there would be a great divergence of opinion among such +men, and the result would be rather to embarrass than to help this +Conference to an accord. He insisted that the matter was exclusively +governmental, and, while he would be happy to extend any courtesy to +men distinguished in science, such as the gentlemen who are proposed +to be invited, he felt constrained to oppose the proposition under the +circumstances. + +The PRESIDENT stated that he understood that the resolution did not +propose to confer a vote upon the gentlemen invited, but simply to +enable them to lay any information before the Conference which they +might have upon the matter at issue. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, contended that the resolution was +intended to authorize these gentlemen to deliberate, and he thought +that the inconvenience would be very great of extending this privilege +to persons not authorized to represent their Governments. He did not +think it was reasonable or fair that his opinions should be questioned +or opposed by the opinions of men not authorized to speak for their +Governments. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, said that as he had taken +upon himself to make some remarks both as to the manner in which the +gentlemen should be invited and the extent of their rights when +invited, he wished to say that while he agreed with much that had been +said by the Delegate of France, he held that these gentlemen should +have an opportunity of expressing their views; that they were not to +come here merely to listen to the proceedings, but that they should +themselves be heard. + +The PRESIDENT directed that the resolution be read in French, and then +put it to the vote, when it was unanimously adopted. + +Commander SAMPSON. Delegate of the United States, then offered the +following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the gentlemen who have just been invited + to attend the meetings of the Conference be permitted to + take part in the discussion of all scientific questions." + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate for France, then stated that it was not in +accordance with the object of this Conference that private +individuals, not authorized by their respective Governments, should be +permitted to influence the decision of this body, and that, while it +was very proper to extend courtesy to such learned gentlemen as were +invited, it surely was never intended that they should participate in +our proceedings. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, said that it would, perhaps, +save trouble if he stated his views on the point under discussion, +which he apprehended were generally in accordance with those of the +representative from France. He said that, if he were permitted, he +would read a resolution, which he suggested might be accepted as a +substitute for that pending before the Conference, and it was as +follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the President be authorized, with the + concurrence of the Delegates, to request an expression of + the opinions of the gentlemen invited to attend the Congress + on any subject on which their opinion may be likely to be + valuable." + +The PRESIDENT inquired in what way they would express it. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, stated that it would be +orally. + +The PRESIDENT replied that the resolution undoubtedly read that way. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, stated that the language, +"to take part in the discussion," employed in the resolution of +Commander Sampson, would mean that the persons invited would be in a +position, of their own motion, either to reply to remarks made, or to +state their own views, or to take part in the discussion just as the +Delegates are entitled to do. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, stated that he hoped that the +proposition of the Delegate of Great Britain would not be pressed +until a vote was had upon the original resolution. + +The PRESIDENT then put the resolution to a vote; but, being unable to +determine from the _viva voce_ vote whether it was carried or not, he +stated that the roll would be called. + +Mr. FREY, Delegate of Switzerland, stated that he thought before the +vote was taken a decision should be had upon the question, how the +Delegates were to vote--whether as nations or as individuals. + +The PRESIDENT announced that it had been the custom in all such +conferences to vote as nations, each nation casting one vote, and that +no other way seemed practicable; and that in conformity with this +ruling the roll would be called and the vote taken by nations. + +The roll was then called, when the following States voted in the +affirmative: + + Costa Rica, Guatemala, + Italy, Mexico, + San Domingo, Salvador, + Switzerland, Venezuela. + +And the following in the negative: + + Austria-Hungary, Brazil, + Colombia, France, + Germany, Great Britain, + Hawaii, Japan, + Paraguay, Russia, + Spain, Sweden. + United States, + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the ayes were 8 and the noes 13, and +that the resolution was lost. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, then renewed his resolution, +which was as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the President be authorized, with the + concurrence of the Delegates, to request an expression of + the opinions of the gentlemen invited to attend the Congress + on any subject on which their opinion may be likely to be + valuable." + +No discussion arose upon this resolution, and it was adopted. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, then offered the +following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the meetings of this Congress be open to + interested visitors." + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, stated that he considered this a +subject of grave importance; that this was an official and +confidential body; scientific, it was true, but also diplomatic; that +it was empowered to confer about matters with which the general public +have now nothing to do; that to admit the public to the meetings would +destroy their privacy and subject the Conference to the influence of +an outside pressure which might prove very prejudicial to its +proceedings, and that he would object to this resolution absolutely. + +No further discussion being had, the PRESIDENT, after a _viva voce_ +vote of doubtful result, ordered the roll to be called, when the +following States voted in the affirmative: + + Colombia, Costa Rica, + Guatemala, Paraguay, + Salvador, Spain. + Venezuela, + + And the following States in the negative. + + Austria-Hungary, Brazil, + France, Germany, + Great Britain, Hawaii, + Italy, Japan, + Mexico, Russia, + San Domingo, Sweden, + Switzerland, United States. + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the ayes were 7 and the noes 14, and +that the resolution was therefore lost. + +The PRESIDENT then said that there would doubtless be some preliminary +general discussion on the subject before the Conference, and suggested +that if Delegates desired to be heard upon the subject it would be +expedient to give an intimation to the Secretary. + +Prof. ABBE, Delegate of the United States, then said: I have been +requested to present to the Conference the communication that I hold +in my hand, and in doing so wish to offer the following resolution: + + "Whereas several persons desire to submit to this Conference + inventions, devices, and systems of universal time: + therefore, + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference will acknowledge the + receipt of such communications, but will abstain from any + expression of opinion as to their respective merits." + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain, said that the Conference +should be very cautious in admitting the devices and schemes of people +who have no connection with this body; that there are, no doubt, many +inventors and many people who have plans and schemes which they wish +to press upon the Conference, and that it was probable that the +Conference would be subjected to very great inconvenience if they took +upon themselves even the burden of acknowledging the receipt of these +communications. + +The PRESIDENT stated that he had received several Communions of this +character, one proposing that Jerusalem should be taken as the prime +meridian. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, proposed that the Conference should +appoint a committee to examine the different papers submitted by +outside parties, and to make such suggestions as they might deem +proper after examining the papers. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain, said that it seemed to him the proper +course of proceeding for the Conference was to take up the subject +article by article, and treat it in that order; that there were +presented to the Conference certain well-defined propositions, and +that besides these there were the resolutions which had been adopted +by the Conference at Rome, which could be used as a basis for the +discussions of this Conference; that in that way the Delegates would +have before them some precise subject-matter, and after discussion, if +any proposition needed to be altered or amended it would be in the +power of the Conference to do so, but that unless some regular method +of proceeding were adopted the sessions would be prolonged +indefinitely, and the Conference would be confused by a multitude of +irrelevant propositions that might be presented to them. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, stated that it seemed +to him that to invite a general discussion upon the subject, which has +undoubtedly a great many heads, the best method would be the one just +suggested; that by having a well-defined course much time would be +saved, and there would be a precision in the proceedings, which +undoubtedly is always valuable; that in this way the discussion could +be kept within bounds, but unless there is some proposition pending +before the Conference it is impossible to say whether any discussion +is in order or out of order; that it seemed to him there should be +some well-defined propositions laid before the Conference, and those +propositions could easily be gathered, not only from what has gone +before, not only from the Conference which has been held in Rome, but +from the acts of Congress and the circulars of the Secretary of +State, under which this body has been organized. + +The PRESIDENT stated that if these communications from outside parties +were brought before the Conference it would entail a great deal of +labor. + +The resolution of the Delegate of the United States, Prof. ABBE, was +then put to the vote, and was negatived. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, then presented the +following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes to the Governments + represented the adoption as a standard meridian that of + Greenwich passing through the centre of the transit + instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich." + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, remarked that the proposed +resolution seemed to him out of order, and that his colleague, Mr. +Janssen, desired to address the Conference on the subject. He went on +to say: + +The competence of the Conference can give rise to no long debate among +us. Let us remark, in the first place, that no previous engagement +exists, on the part of the Governments, to adopt the results of our +discussions, and that consequently our decisions cannot be compared to +those of a deliberative congress or an international commission acting +according to definite powers. + +We have no definite powers, or rather, we have no executive power, +since our decisions cannot be invoked executively by one Government +towards others. + +Does this mean that our decisions will be wholly unauthoritative? An +assembly which numbers so many eminent delegates, and in which there +is so much scientific knowledge, must certainly be regarded with +profound respect by all the Powers of the world. Its powers, however, +must be of a wholly moral character, and will have to be balanced +against rights and interests no less worthy of consideration, leaving +absolutely intact the independence of each individual State. + +Under these circumstances, gentlemen, it seems to me that our course +is already marked out for us. From our Conference is to be elicited +the expression of a collective wish, a draft of a resolution, which is +to be adopted by the majority of this assembly, and afterwards +submitted to the approval of our respective Governments. + +This is our mission. It is a great one, and has a lofty international +bearing. We must, however, realize its extent from the very outset, +and not go beyond its limits. + +An appeal has been made to the decisions of the Conference held at +Rome. But, gentlemen, I beg leave to remark that that Conference was +composed entirely of specialists, and that it did not meet for the +purpose of examining the question in an international point of view. +This Conference is composed of various elements, among which are +scientists of the highest standing, but also functionaries of high +rank, who are not familiar with scientific subjects, and who are +charged with an examination of this question from a political +stand-point. It is, moreover, our privilege to be philosophers and +cosmopolitans, and to contemplate the interests of mankind not only +for the present, but for the most distant future. + +You see, gentlemen, that we enjoy absolute freedom, and that we are in +nowise bound by the decisions of the Conference held at Rome. It is +even desirable that those precedents should be appealed to as little +as possible, inasmuch as we have scientists among us who are regarded +as authorities in both the Old and the New World, and who are +perfectly capable of directing us in technical matters, and of +furnishing all the information that we can desire. I will say even +more than this: The results of the Conference held at Rome are by no +means regarded as possessing official authority by the Governments +that have accredited us; for if those results had been taken as a +starting point, there would be no occasion for our Conference, and our +Governments would simply have to decide with regard to the acceptance +or rejection of the resolutions adopted by the Geodetic Congress at +Rome. + +Everything, however, is intact, even the scientific side of the +question, and that is the reason why we have so many Delegates +possessing technical knowledge among us. + +The PRESIDENT stated that he considered the resolution entirely in +order, and likely to bring about a discussion upon the very point for +which this Conference was called together; that the resolution was +open to any amendment that might be offered, could be altered from +time to time if necessary, and, if it did not meet the sense of the +Conference, could be defeated. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, inquired whether this proposition +did not demand an immediate solution. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, replied that no such +thing was contemplated. + +Prof. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, then spoke as follows: + +GENTLEMEN: I formally request that the resolution just proposed by my +eminent colleague and friend, Mr. Rutherford, be held in reserve, and +that it may not now be pressed for discussion. + +It is wholly undesirable that a proposition of so grave a character, +which forestalls one of the most important resolutions that we shall +be called upon to adopt, should be put to the vote while our meeting +has scarcely been organized, and before any discussion relative to the +true merits of the questions to be considered has taken place. + +This would be inverting the proper order of things and reaching a +conclusion before having examined the subject before us. + +Before discussing the question of the selection of a meridian which is +to serve as a common zero of longitude for all the nations of the +world, (if the Congress shall think proper to discuss that point,) it +is evident that we must first decide the question of principle which +is to govern all our proceedings; that is to say, whether it is +desirable to fix upon a common zero of longitude for all nations. I +therefore formally ask for the withdrawal of Mr. Rutherford's +proposition. + +The PRESIDENT stated that as something had been said about the +Conference at Rome, he desired to say that he had carefully abstained +from any allusion to it, and that the delegation of the United States +found no allusions to it in their instructions; that, so far as the +Chair understood the resolution offered by the Delegate of the United +States, it was simply to bring before the Conference the consideration +of the subject of a prime meridian; that he did not understand that +even the Delegate who presented the motion offered it as an expression +of his own opinion on the subject, but that he had carefully stated, +when he had brought the resolution before the Conference, that it was +for the purpose of enabling the Delegates to proceed to an immediate +discussion. He added, further, that the resolution was quite open to +amendment in case the Delegates from France desired to amend it. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, stated that he +wished to offer the following as a substitute for the resolution +already pending: + + "_Resolved_, That it is the opinion of this Congress that it + is desirable to adopt a single prime meridian for all + nations in place of the multiplicity of initial meridians + which now exist." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, then announced that he +accepted this substitution in place of the first resolution. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of England, stated that if he rightly +understood the remarks made by the Delegate of France, Mr. LEFAIVRE, +he thought that it was intended to call attention to the ultimate form +in which the resolutions of this Congress should be recorded. He +referred to the address which the Secretary of State of the United +States (Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN) made to the Delegates on their assembling, +in which he said: "You have met to discuss and consider the important +question of a prime meridian for all nations. It will rest with you to +give a definite result to the preparatory labors of other scientific +associations and special congresses, and thus make those labors +available." + +He added that the object at which they should aim was to put together +a series of resolutions which could be presented to the various +Governments whose representatives are here present, with a view to +inducing them to accept the decision which may be arrived at by this +Conference, and, finally, to put that decision in a diplomatic form--a +form which shall be more definite and precise than the mere +resolutions which would be adopted by a purely scientific body; this +he understood to be the position to be adopted by the Delegates to +this Conference. He then said that it seemed to him that it would be +necessary, after settling the original shape of the resolutions, that +they should be reconsidered and afterwards put together in an orderly +way, in a manner which would give a regular and satisfactory record of +the proceedings; that it appeared almost certain to him that the +discussions would be desultory in their nature, but that ultimately a +revision would be had after the rough-hewing of the blocks out of +which the edifice was to be formed; that he had no wish, at the +present stage of the discussion, to go into the merits of the question +presented; that, for his part, he thought it more prudent to abstain, +but that with reference to the remarks of his honorable friends from +France, he could not agree that they should set aside what occurred at +Rome; that the discussions at Rome were most valuable; they went +thoroughly into the whole question, and he apprehended that every +gentleman in the Conference was possessed of the records of what +occurred there. + +He continued by saying that he thought that the Delegate from France, +Mr. LEFAIVRE, went a little beyond what was strictly right in saying +that we should shut our eyes to what occurred there; that, for his own +part, he was obliged to pay attention to what occurred there; that +some of the most eminent scientific men to be found in any country met +there and fully discussed the questions now before us, and that the +Delegates here present were now called upon to revise what occurred +there. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, said that the Delegate +from France, Mr. LEFAIVRE, in his remarks, insisted that we should +first establish for what purpose the Delegates were here assembled; +that he wished to refer to the circulars sent out by the Government of +the United States, under which this Conference was called together. He +said that he could assert, without fear of contradiction, that in +those communications the President stated that it was believed to be a +foregone conclusion that a prime meridian was desirable; that that was +the basis on which the President acted in giving his invitation; that +how he came to that conclusion he does not state--whether or not the +proceedings at Rome had anything to do with it, but he thought that +they had a great influence on the mind of the President; that, +doubtless, his action was not determined solely by that, and, +therefore, that the Secretary of State first made a tentative +application to see whether a proposition for another Conference was +acceptable, and that he found all countries here represented answering +the circular in the affirmative; that they agreed with him that a +conference for this purpose was desirable. + +He continued by saying that the Secretary of State then sent a second +invitation to the different nations to send Delegates, who were to +assemble here on the first of October, 1884, for the purpose of +establishing a prime meridian and a universal time. He added that it +seemed to him a great loss of time to go over the question whether a +prime meridian was or was not desirable; that the Delegates were sent +here for the purpose of agreeing upon a prime meridian. He then asked +why this Conference should lose time in discussing that question. + +The resolution offered by the Delegate of the United States, Commander +SAMPSON, was then unanimously adopted as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That it is the opinion of this Congress that it + is desirable to adopt a single prime meridian for all + nations in place of the multiplicity of initial meridians + which now exist." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, then renewed his +original resolution, as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes to the Governments + represented the adoption as a standard meridian that of + Greenwich, passing through the centre of the transit + instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich." + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, stated that he wished to reiterate +the objections that he had already offered to the first resolution, +and spoke as follows: + +GENTLEMEN: Mr. Lefaivre, my honorable colleague, and I are of the +opinion that the mission of this Congress is chiefly to examine +questions of principle. + +I consider that we shall do a very important thing if we proclaim the +principle of the adoption of a meridian which shall be the same for +all nations. + +The advantages of such a meridian have been felt by the geographers +and navigators of all ages. France might claim the honor of having +sought to accomplish this reform as early as the seventeenth century. +It is not to be expected, therefore, that France, at this late day, +will seek to place any obstacles in the way of the adoption of an +improvement which would by this time have been adopted if the use of +the meridian which she proposed, and which she had caused to be +generally accepted, had been continued. + +We therefore fully agree with you, gentlemen, as to the principle of a +common international meridian, impartially defined and wisely applied, +and we think that if the Congress should cause a useful reform, which +has been so long expected, to be finally adopted, it would render a +great service to the world, and one that would do us the highest +honor. + +This point being gained, is it proper for us to proceed to the +adoption of such a meridian? We think not, unless we are assured by a +previous declaration as to the principle which is to govern the +selection of that meridian. Without such a declaration, we should have +no power to begin a discussion on an undefined subject, and we are not +authorized to pledge ourselves. + +I must even add that our acquiescence in the principle of an +international meridian could not be maintained if the Congress +proceeded to a choice at variance with the exclusively scientific +principles which we are instructed to maintain. Thus, in the very +interest of the great principle which we all desire to see adopted, it +would, to my way of thinking, be wiser to confine ourselves to a +general declaration which, by uniting the opinions of all, would +sustain the principle with all the authority possible. The principle +having once been adopted, our Governments would subsequently convoke a +conference of a more technical character than this, at which questions +of application would be more thoroughly examined. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain, stated that it seemed to him the order +of proceeding for this Conference was very well laid down in the +invitations addressed by the President of the United States to the +different countries and in the articles which were formulated at Rome; +that if these were taken up one after the other and discussed there +would be a clearly-defined line of action for the Delegates; that if +an article was not satisfactory it could be altered or amended, or +could be rejected; but if the propositions were taken up one at a time +and the discussions directed to these propositions, the Conference +would be more likely to reach a definite result than in any general +discussion. + +The PRESIDENT stated that, so far as he understood the proposition, +there was no desire to press it to an immediate vote; that it was +quite proper for the Delegate from France to offer any other +proposition, as suggested by the Delegate of Spain, in lieu of the +motion now pending; that so far as the Chair was concerned it seemed +to him that the Conference could at once proceed to the discussion of +the general subject of a prime meridian under the pending resolution; +that if the Delegate from France desires to make any other +proposition, or offer anything else in a distinct form, he will be +listened to with great attention and with profound respect. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, remarked that the +Delegate from France, his learned friend, Mr. JANSSEN, had expressed +the opinion that the Delegates had not the power to decide upon any +particular meridian, but that they were sent here merely to discuss +this principle, namely, whether a general meridian was desirable. He +added that he was, of course, not in possession of the instructions +which the Delegates from France received from their own Government, +but that he found among the instructions received by the Delegates of +the United States from their Government a copy of one of the +communications made by the President of the United States to France, +as well as to the other nations, through the Secretary of State, in +which was this language: + + "I am accordingly directed by the President to request you + to bring the matter to the attention of the Government of + ----, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with a view + to learning, whether its appreciation of the benefits to + accrue to the intimate intercourse of civilized peoples from + the consideration and adoption of the suggested common + standard of time, so far coincides with that of this + Government as to lead it to accept an invitation to + participate in an International Conference at a date to be + designated in the near future." + +The Delegate of the United States continued by saying that the whole +object of this Conference was not to establish the principle that it +is desirable to have a prime meridian, but to fix that prime meridian; +that that was the object of the meeting, and that it seemed to him +that there must be some misapprehension on the part of the learned +gentleman from France in thinking that this Conference has not the +power to fix upon a prime meridian; that as to our organization, the +Delegate of France (Mr. Lefaivre) spoke of its not being sufficiently +complete to take up this subject at present, but that it seemed to him +that the Delegates undoubtedly were ready to hear and express +arguments _pro_ and _con_ in regard to that question; that he supposed +that every Delegate had studied this matter before coming here, and +that he did not think that any Delegate would be likely to come here +unless he knew, or thought he knew, some thing about this matter. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate from Spain, announced that he had no power to +pledge his country on this subject; that his authority merely extended +to the power of recommending to his Government such resolutions as +this Conference might adopt. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden, then said: "I desire to state in +the protocol that I have no power to engage my Government by my votes +on the different questions which will be submitted to this Conference, +and that, therefore, these votes must only be considered as an +engagement on my part to recommend to my Government the decisions for +which I vote." + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain, said that in the name of +the Delegates of Great Britain he wished to state that they were in +the same position, but that would not prevent them or this Conference +from forming an opinion and expressing it. + +The PRESIDENT stated that on behalf of the Delegates from the United +States they had no power except that of discussion and recommendation. + +Mr. DE STRUVE made, on behalf of the Delegates of Russia, a +declaration identical with that made by the Delegate of Sweden. + +Baron VON ALVENSLEBEN, Delegate from Germany, made the same +announcement on behalf of his Government. + +Mr. FERNANDEZ, Delegate from Mexico, made the same announcement. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain, remarked that this Conference was +called together not merely to discuss the subject of a prime meridian, +but to determine, so far as these Delegates were concerned, the +propriety of adopting a particular prime meridian, and that his +Government would decide afterwards whether it would accept what this +Conference should recommend. + +Dr. CRULS, Delegate of Brazil, stated that his Government authorized +him to take part in the discussion, but not to commit his Government +to the adoption of any particular proposition. + +Mr. FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain, said that he would like to +call the attention of the Conference to the language of the act of +Congress calling this Conference together, and that language runs as +follows: + + "That the President of the United States be authorized and + requested to extend to the Governments of all nations in + diplomatic relations with our own an invitation to appoint + delegates to meet delegates from the United States in the + city of Washington, at such time as he may see fit to + designate, for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper + to be employed as a common zero of longitude and standard of + time-reckoning throughout the globe." + +He added that he thought the object of the Conference clearly was to +determine and to recommend; that although the word "recommend" was not +used in the body of the resolution, it was certainly understood, and, +as a matter of fact, the title of the joint resolution passed by +Congress contains the word "recommend." It reads as follows: + + "An act to authorize the President of the United States to + call an international conference to fix on and recommend for + universal adoption a common prime meridian, to be used in + the reckoning of longitude and in the regulation of time + throughout the world." + +Baron von Schaeffer, Delegate of Austria-Hungary, then moved that the +Conference adjourn until Monday, the 6th instant, at one o'clock, to +enable Delegates to confer on this subject. + +The proposition of the Delegate of Austria-Hungary was then agreed to, +and the Conference adjourned to Monday, October 6, 1884, at 1 o'clock, +p. m. + + + + +III. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 6, 1884. + + +The Conference met pursuant to adjournment in the Diplomatic Hall of +the Department of State, at one o'clock p. m. + +Present: + + Austro-Hungary: Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Colombia: Commodore S. R. FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Capt. Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. C. ADAMS, + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Guatemala: Mr. MILES ROOK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER, Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, Mr. ANGEL ARGUIANO. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, Mr. + KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. DE J. GALVAN. + Salvador: Mr. ANTONIO BATRES. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILIO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Mr. + JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Turkey: RUSTEM EFFENDI. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFURD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, Professor CLEVELAND ABBE. + Venezuela: Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, said that the +resolution offered by him at the last meeting omitted to state that +the proposed meridian was for longitude, and he would offer the +following as a substitute therefor: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes to the Governments + here represented the adoption of the meridian passing + through the centre of the transit instrument at the + Observatory of Greenwich as the standard meridian for + longitude." + +The PRESIDENT then asked if the Conference would permit the +substitution to be made, and it was unanimously agreed to. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, stated that he did not +propose to press the resolution to an early vote, but that it was +offered simply to elicit the opinions of Delegates on the subject. He +further stated that, having heard that the Delegates of France, Mr. +LEFAIVRE and Mr. JANSSEN, desired to present certain propositions, he +would, for that purpose, move to withdraw for the time being the +resolution offered by him. + +No objection being made, the resolution was temporarily withdrawn. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, then made the following statement: + +Our colleague, Mr. RUTHERFURD, having withdrawn his motion for the +adoption of the meridian of Greenwich, we, the Delegates of France, +after consultation with him, submit the following motion: + + "_Resolved_, That the initial meridian should have a + character of absolute neutrality. It should be chosen + exclusively so as to secure to science and to international + commerce all possible advantages, and in particular + especially should cut no great continent--neither Europe nor + America." + +Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain, then stated that he +presumed the Conference could hardly pass by the important meeting +held at Rome, where twelve of the thirty-eight Delegates were +directors of national observatories, and where the subject of the +conditions which should attach to a prime meridian were discussed +without reference to any particular nationality; that these learned +gentlemen came to the conclusion (which he thought was a very wise +one) that the necessity existed for a prime meridian that it should +pass through an astronomical observatory of the first order; that +modern science demanded such precision, and therefore they excluded +all ideas of a meridian being established on an island, in a strait, +on the summit of a mountain, or as indicated by a monumental building. +Looking at the subject in its various aspects, they came to the +conclusion that there were only four great observatories which in +their minds combined all the conditions, and this decision was +unanimously received by that Conference. Those great observatories +were Paris, Berlin, Greenwich, and Washington. He stated further that, +having this in view, he thought this Conference should be particularly +guarded, looking at the question from a scientific point of view, not +to depart from the conditions laid down by the Conference at Rome; +that he had no desire to advocate any one of the places enumerated, +but merely mentioned them as satisfying all the conditions of science, +which was so brilliantly represented at Rome. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, then said: + +I can only attempt to anticipate the arguments which may be advanced +by the learned Delegate from France in support of his resolution to +adopt a neutral meridian. But it is our simple duty, in our present +judicial capacity, to examine the question of a prime meridian from +all points of view. With the object, then, of considering the question +from another stand-point, I ask your attention for one moment. This +Congress, at its last meeting, by a unanimous vote, declared its +opinion that it was desirable to adopt a single prime meridian for the +purpose of reckoning longitude. Further, it is fair to assume that the +delegates here assembled, in answer to a specific invitation from the +Government of the United States, and for a stated purpose, have come +empowered by their respective governments to act upon the questions +submitted for their consideration in the invitation. + +At the last meeting, the Delegates from France left us somewhat in +doubt regarding their views upon this important question of the powers +of the delegates, or at least of their own delegation. But as they +have to-day advocated the adoption of a neutral meridian, we may +conclude that they have the necessary delegated power to fully +consider and determine the main question before us--the selection of a +prime meridian. + +In the absence of any declared opinion to the contrary, we may take it +for granted that the Delegates from all States here represented are +deputed to "fix upon a meridian proper to be employed as a common zero +of longitude throughout the globe," and to recommend the same for +adoption to their respective Governments. + +If, then, we are of one mind as to the desirability of a single prime +meridian, and if we are fully empowered to make the selection, which +may be taken as another way of saying that we are directed by our +respective Governments to make the selection, we may proceed directly +to the performance of this duty. + +In the choice of a prime meridian, there is no physical feature of our +earth which commends itself above others as the best starting point; +nor does the form of the earth itself present any peculiarity which +might be used as an initial point. If the refinements of geodesy +should finally lead to the conclusion that the figure of the earth is +an ellipsoid with three axes, yet the question of the direction of +either of the equatorial axes must remain to such a degree uncertain +that the extremity of the axis could not be assumed as the point of +departure for counting longitude. Indeed, as an initial meridian must +above all things be fixed in position, it would not answer to make its +position depend upon any physical constant which is itself in the +slightest degree uncertain; for in these days, when refinements in +physical measurements are constantly leading to more and more accurate +results, each advance in accuracy would necessitate an annoying change +in the initial meridian, or, what would more probably result, the +retention of the first chosen meridian, which would thus lose its +dependence upon the original definition, and become as arbitrary as +if taken by chance in the first instance. + +We may then say that, from a purely scientific point of view, any +meridian may be taken as the prime meridian. But from the standpoint +of convenience and economy there is undoubtedly much room for a +choice. + +Considering this question of convenience in connection with the +necessary condition of fixity already referred to, the prime meridian +should pass through some well-established national observatory. + +In making the choice of a prime meridian which is to serve for a great +period of time, it is important to so fix and define it that the +natural changes of time may not render it in the least degree +uncertain. To this end, the nation within whose borders the chosen +point may fall should engage to establish it in the most enduring +manner, and protect it against all possible causes of change or +destruction. + +When taken in connection with other requirements, to be mentioned +hereafter, this character of permanence will be best secured by making +the adopted meridian pass through an observatory which is under the +control of the Government. + +Such observatory should be in telegraphic communication with the whole +world, in order that the differences of longitude from the prime +meridian may be determined for any point. These conditions of +convenience are so important that they may fairly be considered +imperative. To fulfil them one of the national meridians now in use +should be selected. To select any other than one of these meridians, +or a meridian directly dependent upon one of them, and defined simply +by its angular distance from one of these national meridians, would be +to introduce endless confusion into all charts and maps now in use. + +To select as a prime meridian one which shall be a defined angular +distance from one of the national meridians, must have for its object +either to remove some inconvenience which results from the use of the +national meridian itself, or it must be to satisfy a desire to deprive +the selected meridian of any nationality. + +The inconvenience of east and west longitudes, which results from +having the prime meridian pass through a thickly populated portion of +the world, will be removed by reckoning the longitude continuously +from O deg. to 360 deg.. At the same time an important advantage is secured by +having the prime meridian occupy a central position with regard to the +most densely populated part of the earth; because the distances which +will then separate the various points from the central observatory +marking the initial meridian will be a minimum, and consequently less +liable to error in determination. The selection of a meridian by +calculation, defined as a certain number of degrees east or west of +one of the national meridians, would not thereby deprive the meridian +thus selected of a national character; for though we may reckon +longitude from a meridian passing through the Atlantic or Pacific +Ocean, yet the initial point from which all measurements of longitude +must be made would still remain one of the national meridians. Again, +if any other than one of the national meridians were selected, or a +meridian dependent upon one of them, as, for example, a neutral +meridian in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, it would necessitate a +change in all charts and maps. + +It is hardly necessary to say that no scientific or practical +advantage is to be secured by adopting the meridian of the great +pyramid, or by attempting to establish permanent meridian marks over a +great length of the selected meridian, for even in the present +advanced condition of astronomical and geodetic science it is not +practicable to establish two points on the same meridian at a +considerable distance from each other with such a degree of accuracy +as would warrant the use of them indifferently as the initial point. + +As a matter of economy as well as convenience that meridian should be +selected which is now in most general use. This additional +consideration of economy would limit our choice to the meridian of +Greenwich, for it may fairly be stated upon the authority of the +distinguished Delegate from Canada that more than 70 per cent. of all +the shipping of the world uses this meridian for purposes of +navigation. + +The charts constructed upon this meridian cover the whole navigable +globe. The cost of the plates from which these charts are printed is +probably 75 per cent. of the cost of all plates in the world for +printing mariners' charts, and is probably not less than ten millions +of dollars. As a matter of economy, then, to the world at large, it +would be better to permit those plates to remain unchanged which are +engraved for the meridian of Greenwich and to make the necessary +changes in all plates engraved for other meridians. + +A very natural pride has led the great nations to establish by law +their own prime meridian within their own borders, and into this error +the United States was led about 35 years ago. + +Should any of us now hesitate in the adoption of a particular +meridian, or should any nation covet the honor of having the selected +meridian within its own borders, it is to be remembered that when the +prime meridian is once adopted by all it loses its specific name and +nationality, and becomes simply the Prime Meridian. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, stated that he did not +propose to take up much of the time of the Conference; that he had +listened with great pleasure to the exhaustive speech of his +colleague, Commander SAMPSON, but that he wished to say a few words +about the conditions of permanence in the prime meridian to which +allusion had just been made. He said that he would call attention to +the fact that the observatory at Paris stands within the heart of a +large and populous city; that it has already been thought by many of +the principal French astronomers that it should no longer remain +there; that it has been, interfered with by the tremors of the earth +and emanations in the air, which prevent it from fulfilling its +usefulness; that for several years past strenuous efforts have been +made to remove the observatory from Paris to some other place where it +may be free to follow out its course of usefulness, and that the only +thing which keeps it there is the remembrance of the honorable career +of that observatory in times past. He added that he was sure that +there was no one here who failed to recognize its claims to +distinction; that there was no one here acquainted with the past +history of astronomy but looks with pride upon the achievements of the +human intellect effected there. At the same time, however, if a +change is to be made, if sentiment should give way to practical +reason, a locality, no doubt, will be found which may be calculated to +fulfil the requirements of a prime meridian better than that one. + +As to the fitness of Greenwich, he said that the observatory was +placed in the middle of a large park under the control of the +Government, so that no nuisance can come near it without their +consent, and that it was in a position which speaks for itself; that +he would only add one word more in regard to this matter, and that is, +that the adoption of the meridian of Greenwich as the prime meridian +has not been sought after by Great Britain; that it was not her +proposition, but that she consented to it after it had been proposed +by other portions of the civilized world. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, said: We do not put forward the +meridian of the observatory of Paris as that to be chosen for the +prime meridian; but if it were chosen, and we wished to compare it +with that of Greenwich as to the accuracy with which it is actually +connected with the other observatories of Europe, it would not lose by +the comparison. The latest observations of the differences of +longitude made by electricity by the Bureau of Longitudes of France +and our officers have given very remarkable results of great accuracy. +It is well known that what is important for a starting point in +reckoning longitude is, above all things, that it should be accurately +connected with points whose positions have been precisely fixed, such +as the great observatories. There is, therefore, a slight confusion on +the part of my eminent colleague, namely, that of not distinguishing +between the conditions which require the exact connection of the +starting point of longitudes with observatories, and the merits of the +position of such a point in an astronomical aspect, which is here a +matter of secondary importance. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France, said that he did not not know if his +observation was well founded, but it seemed to him that what the +Delegates of France had proposed had not been contested, but that the +arguments used had rather been those in favor of the adoption of the +meridian of Greenwich. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, said that the +observations which he had made were merely to be regarded as a +negative of the proposition made by the Delegates of France, and not +as a statement of the arguments in favor of the adoption of Greenwich. + +The PRESIDENT said that the remarks of the Delegate of the United +States were not out of order, inasmuch as they were intended to combat +the proposition brought forward by the Delegate of France. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, then spoke as follows: + +GENTLEMEN: At the last session, when a proposition was made by my +eminent colleague and friend, Mr. RUTHERFURD, to discuss and vote upon +the adoption of the meridian of Greenwich as the common prime +meridian, I thought it necessary to say that the proposal appeared to +me prematurely made, and that we could not agree to the discussion +proceeding in that manner. Mr. RUTHERFURD has informed me that he +would withdraw his proposition for the present, in order to permit me +to direct the discussion, in the first place, to the principle which +should direct the choice of a common prime meridian. I here take the +opportunity of thanking Mr. RUTHERFURD for his courtesy, and I no +longer object to proceeding with the debate. + +What we ask is, that after the general declaration of the second +session as to the utility of a common prime meridian, the Congress +should discuss the question of the principle which should guide the +choice of that meridian. + +Being charged to maintain before you, gentlemen, the principle of the +neutrality of the prime meridian, it is evident that if that principle +was rejected by the Congress it would be useless for us to take part +in the further discussion of the choice of the meridian to be adopted +as the point of departure in reckoning longitude. + +We think, gentlemen, that if this question of the unification of +longitude is again taken up after so many unsuccessful attempts to +settle it as are recorded in history, there will be no chance of its +final solution unless it be treated upon an exclusively geographical +basis, and that at any cost all national competition should be set +aside. We do not advocate any particular meridian. We put ourselves +completely aside in the debate, and thus place ourselves in a position +of far greater freedom for expressing our opinion, and discussing the +question exclusively in view of the interests affected by the proposed +reform. + +The history of geography shows us a great number of attempts to +establish a uniformity of longitude, and when we look for the reasons +which have caused those attempts (many of which were very happily +conceived) to fail, we are struck with the fact that it appears due to +two principal causes--one of a scientific and the other of a moral +nature. The scientific cause was the incapacity of the ancients to +determine exactly the relative positions of different points on the +globe, especially if it was a question of an island far from a +continent, and which consequently could not be connected with that +continent by itinerary measurements. For example, the first meridian +of Marinus of Tyre and Ptolemy, placed on the Fortunate Isles, in +spite of its being so well chosen at the western extremity of the then +known world, could not continue to be used on account of the +uncertainty of the point of departure. That much to be regretted +obstacle caused the method to be changed. It became necessary to fall +back on the continent. But then, in place of a single common origin of +longitude indicated by nature, the first meridians were fixed at +capitals of countries, at remarkable places, at observatories. The +second cause to which I just now alluded, the cause of a moral +nature--national pride--has led to the multiplication of geographical +starting-points where the nature of things would have required, on the +contrary, their reduction to a single one. + +In the seventeenth century, Cardinal Richelieu, in view of this +confusion, desired to take up again the conception of Marinus of Tyre, +and assembled at Paris French and foreign men of science, and the +famous meridian of the Island of Ferro was the result of their +discussions. + +Here, gentlemen, we find a lesson which should not be lost sight of. +This meridian of Ferro, which at first had the purely geographical and +neutral character which could alone establish and maintain it as an +international first meridian, was deprived of its original +characteristic by the geographer Delisle, who, to simplify the +figures, placed it at 20 degrees in round numbers west of Paris. This +unfortunate simplification abandoned entirely the principle of +impersonality. It was no longer then an independent meridian; it was +the meridian of Paris disguised. The consequences were soon felt. The +meridian of Ferro, which has subsequently been considered as a purely +French meridian, aroused national susceptibilities, and thus lost the +future which was certainly in store for it if it had remained as at +first defined. This was a real misfortune for geography. Our maps, +while being perfected, would have preserved a common unit of origin, +which, on the contrary, has altered more and more. + +If, as soon as astronomical methods had been far enough advanced to +permit the establishment of relative positions with that moderate +accuracy which is sufficient for ordinary geography, (and that could +have been done at the end of the 17th century,) we had again taken up +the just and geographical conception of Marinus of Tyre, the reform +would have been accomplished two centuries sooner, and to-day we +should have been in the full enjoyment of it. But the fault was +committed of losing sight of the essential principles of the question, +and the establishment of numerous observatories greatly contributed to +this. Furnishing naturally very accurate relative positions, each one +of these establishments was chosen by the nation to which it belonged +as a point of departure for longitude, so that the intervention of +astronomy in these questions of a geographical nature, an intervention +which, if properly understood, should have been so useful, led us +further away from the object to be attained. + +In fact, gentlemen, the study of these questions tends to show that +there is an essential distinction between meridians of a geographical +or hydrographical nature and meridians of observatories. The meridians +of observatories should be considered essentially national. Their +function is to permit observatories to connect themselves one with +another for the unification of the observations made at them. They +serve also as bases for geodetic and topographical operations carried +on around them. But their function is of a very special kind, and +should be generally limited to the country to which they belong. + +On the contrary, initial meridians for geography need not be fixed +with quite such a high degree of accuracy as is required by astronomy; +but, in compensation, their operation must be far reaching, and while +it is useful to increase as much as possible the number of meridians +of observatories, it is necessary to reduce as much as we can the +starting points for longitudes in geography. + +Further, it may be said that as the position of an observatory should +be chosen with reference to astronomical considerations, so an initial +meridian in geography should only be fixed for geographical reasons. + +Gentlemen, have these two very different functions been always well +understood, and has this necessary distinction been preserved? In no +wise. As observatories, on account of the great accuracy of their +operations, furnish admirable points of reference, each nation which +was in a condition to do it connected with its principal observatory +not only the geodetic or topographical work which was done at home--a +very natural thing--but also general geographical or hydrographical +work which was executed abroad, a practice which contained the germ of +all the difficulties with which we are troubled to-day. Thus, as maps +accumulated, the need of uniformity, especially in those that referred +to general geography, was felt more and more. + +This explains why this question of a single meridian as a starting +point has been so often raised of late. + +Among the assemblies which have occupied themselves with this +question, the one which principally calls for our attention is that +which was held at Rome last year; indeed, for many of our colleagues +the conclusions adopted by the Congress of Rome settle the whole +matter. These conclusions must, therefore, receive our special +attention. + +In reading the reports of the discussions of that Congress, I was +struck with the fact that in an assembly of so many learned men and +eminent theorists it was the practical side of the question that was +chiefly considered, and which finally determined the character of the +resolutions adopted. + +Thus, instead of laying down the great principle that the meridian to +be offered to the world as the starting-point for all terrestrial +longitudes should, have above all things, an essentially geographical +and impersonal character, the question was simply asked, which one of +the meridians in use among the different observatories has (if I may +be allowed to use the expression) the largest number of clients? In a +matter which interests geography much more than hydrography, as most +sailors acknowledge, because there exist really but two initial +hydrographic meridians, Greenwich and Paris, a prime meridian has been +taken, the reign (practical influence) of which is principally over +the sea; and this meridian, instead of being chosen with reference to +the configuration of the continents, is borrowed from an observatory; +that is to say, that it is placed on the globe in a hap-hazard manner, +and is very inconveniently situated for the function that it is to +perform. Finally, instead of profiting by the lessons of the past, +national rivalries are introduced in a question that should rally the +good-will of all. + +Well, gentlemen, I say that considerations of economy and of +established custom should not make us lose sight of the principles +which must be paramount in this question, and which alone can lead to +the universal acceptance and permanence of its settlement. +Furthermore, gentlemen, these motives of economy and of established +custom, which have been appealed to as a decisive argument, exist, it +is true, for the majority in behalf of which they have been put +forward, but exist for them only, and leave to us the whole burden of +change in customs, publications, and material. + +Since the report considers us of so little weight in the scales, allow +me, gentlemen, to recall briefly the past and the present of our +hydrography, and for that purpose I can do no better than to quote +from a work that has been communicated to me, and which emanates from +one of our most learned hydrographers. "France," he says, "created +more than two centuries ago the most ancient nautical ephemerides in +existence. She was the first to conceive and execute the great +geodetic operations which had for their object the construction of +civil and military maps and the measurement of arcs of the meridian in +Europe, America, and Africa. All these operations were and are based +on the Paris meridian. Nearly all the astronomical tables used at the +present time by the astronomers and the navies of the whole world are +French, and calculated for the Paris meridian. As to what most +particularly concerns shipping, the accurate methods now used by all +nations for hydrographic surveys are of French origin, and our charts, +all reckoned from the meridian of Paris, bear such names as those of +Bougainville, La Perouse, Fleurieu, Borda, d'Entrecasteaux, Beautemps, +Beaupre, Duperrey, Dumont d'Urville, Daussy, to quote only a few among +those who are not living. + +"Our actual hydrographic collections amount to more than 4,000 charts. +By striking off those which the progress of explorations have rendered +useless, there still remain about 2,600 charts in use. Of this number +more than half represent original French surveys, a large part of +which foreign nations have reproduced. Amongst the remainder, the +general charts are the result of discussions undertaken in the Bureau +of the Marine, by utilizing all known documents, French as well as +foreign, and there are relatively few which are mere translations of +foreign works. Our surveys are not confined to the coasts of France +and of its colonies; there is scarcely a region of the globe for which +we do not possess original work--Newfoundland, the coasts of Guiana, +of Brazil, and of La Plata, Madagascar, numerous points of Japan and +of China, 187 original charts relative to the Pacific. We must not +omit the excellent work of our hydrographic engineers on the west +coast of Italy, which was honored by the international jury with the +great medal of honor at the Universal Exhibition of 1867. The +exclusive use of the Paris meridian by our sailors is justified by +reference to a past of two centuries, which we have thus briefly +recalled. + +"If another initial meridian had to be adopted, it would be necessary +to change the graduation of our 2,600 hydrographic plates; it would be +necessary to do the same thing for our nautical instructions, (sailing +directions,) which exceed 600 in number. The change would also +necessarily involve a corresponding change in the _Connaissance des +Temps_." + +These are titles to consideration of some importance. Well, if under +these circumstances the projected reform, instead of being directed by +the higher principles which ought to govern the subject, should take +solely for its base the respect due to the established customs of the +largest number and the absence on their part of all sacrifice, +reserving to us alone the burden of the change and the abandonment of +a valued and glorious past, are we not justified in saying that a +proposition thus made would not be acceptable? + +When France, at the end of the last century, instituted the metre, did +she proceed thus? Did she, as a measure of economy and in order to +change nothing in her customs, propose to the world the "Pied de Roi" +as a unit of measure? You know the facts. The truth is, everything +with us was overthrown--both the established methods and instruments +for measurement; and the measure adopted being proportioned only to +the dimensions of the earth, is so entirely detached from everything +French that in future centuries the traveller who may search the ruins +of our cities may inquire what people invented the metrical measure +that chance may bring under his eyes. + +Permit me to say that it is thus a reform should be made and becomes +acceptable. It is by setting the example of self-sacrifice; it is by +complete self-effacement in any undertaking, that opposition is +disarmed and true love of progress is proved. + +I now hasten to say that I am persuaded that the proposition voted for +at Rome was neither made nor suggested by England, but I doubt whether +it would render a true service to the English nation if it be agreed +to. An immense majority of the navies of the world navigate with +English charts; that is true, and it is a practical compliment to the +great maritime activity of that nation. When this freely admitted +supremacy shall be transformed into an official and compulsory +supremacy, it will suffer the vicissitudes of all human power, and +that institution, (the common meridian,) which by its nature is of a +purely scientific nature, and to which we would assure a long and +certain future, will become the object of burning competition and +jealousy among nations. + +All this shows, gentlemen, how much wiser it would be to take for the +origin of terrestrial longitude a point chosen from geographical +considerations only. Upon the globe, nature has so sharply separated +the continent on which the great American nation has arisen, that +there are only two solutions possible from a geographical point of +view, both of them very natural. + +The first solution would consist in returning, with some small +modification, to the solution of the ancients, by placing our meridian +near the Azores; the second by throwing it back to that immense +expanse of water which separates America from Asia, where on its +northern shores the New World abuts on the old. + +These two solutions may be discussed; this has been often done, and +again quite recently, by one of our ablest geologists, M. de +Chancourtois. + +Each of these meridians combine the fundamental conditions which +geography demands and upon which there has always been an agreement +when national meridians are set aside from the discussion. As to the +determination of the position of the point which may be adopted, the +present excellent astronomical methods will give it with a degree of +exactness as great as that which geography requires. + +But what is the necessity for a special and costly determination of +the longitude of a point which can be fixed arbitrarily, provided this +be done within certain limits, as for instance by satisfying the +conditions of passing through a strait or an island. We may be content +with fixing the position of the point adopted in an approximate +manner. The position thus obtained would be connected with certain of +the great observatories selected for the purpose from their being +accurately connected one with another, and the relative positions thus +ascertained would supply the definition of the first meridian. As to +any material mark on the globe, if one be desired, though it is in no +manner necessary, it would be established in conformity with this +definition, and its position should be changed until it exactly +complied with it. + +As to the question of the changes to be introduced in existing maps +and charts which, by our proposition, would be imposed upon everybody, +they could be very much reduced, especially if it were agreed--which +would be sufficient at first--to draw upon existing charts only a +subsidiary additional scale of graduation which would permit immediate +use of the international meridian. Later, and as new charts were +engraved, a more complete scale of graduation would be given; but I +think that it would always be desirable to preserve in the manner now +done in many atlases both systems of reckoning longitude--the national +and international. If it be necessary at the present time to +facilitate the external relations of all nations, it is also well to +preserve among them all manifestations of personal life, and to +respect the symbols which represent their traditions and past history. + +Gentlemen, I do not propose to dwell upon the details of the +establishment of such a meridian. We have only to advocate before you +the principle of its acceptance. + +If this principle be admitted by the Congress, we are instructed to +say that you will find in it a ground for agreement with France. + +Without doubt, on account of our long and glorious past, of our great +publications, of our important hydrographic works, a change of +meridian would cause us heavy sacrifices. Nevertheless, if we are +approached with offers of self-sacrifice, and thus receive proofs of a +sincere desire for the general good, France has given sufficient +proofs of her love of progress to make her co-operation certain. + +But we shall have to regret that we are not able to join a combination +which to protect the interests of one portion of the contracting +parties would sacrifice the more weighty scientific character of the +meridian to be adopted, a character which in our eyes is indispensable +to justify its imposition upon all, and to assure it permanent +success. + +Prof. J. C. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain, stated that if he were +allowed to offer a few observations upon the eloquent address made by +his colleague, the representative of France, Mr. JANSSEN, he would +remark that, so far as he could follow that discourse, it seemed to +him to turn almost entirely on sentimental considerations; that it +appeared to him that the Delegate of France had overlooked one great +point which was correctly laid down by the President in his opening +address, viz., that one of the main objects to be kept in view in the +deliberations of this Conference would be, how best to secure the +aggregate convenience of the world at large--how we should choose a +prime meridian which would cause the least inconvenience by the change +that would take place. Of course, any change would necessarily be +accompanied by a certain amount of inconvenience, but our object, as +he understood it, was to take care that that inconvenience should be +as small in its aggregate amount as possible. + +He stated that if that were taken as the ground of consideration by +this Conference, it appeared to him that the question was narrowed to +one of fact rather than to be one of sentiment, which latter would +admit of no solution whatever; for it was quite clear that if all the +Delegates here present were guided by merely sentimental +considerations, or by considerations of _amour propre_, the Conference +would never arrive at any conclusion, because each nation would put +its own interests on a level with those of every other. + +He added that if the Conference should be able to agree in the opinion +that the adoption of one meridian (for his part he did not undertake +to say what meridian) would be accompanied by a greater amount of +convenience in the aggregate than the adoption of any other, he +thought that this should be the predominant consideration in guiding +the decision of this Conference, on the question referred to them, and +it appeared to him that this is a consideration which the Delegate of +France has not put before this Conference, at least not in a prominent +way. It is clear that the inconvenience caused to any one nation by +the adoption of a new neutral meridian would not be lessened by the +fact that all other nations would suffer the same inconvenience. + +With respect to the question of a neutral meridian, Professor ADAMS +wished to call the attention of the Congress to the fact that the +Delegates here present are not a collection of representatives of +belligerents; that they are all neutral as men should be in a matter +purely scientific, or in any other matter which affects the +convenience of the world at large, and that this Conference is not met +here at the end of a war to see how territory should be divided, but +in a friendly way, representing friendly nations. + +He stated that he hoped the Delegates would be guided in their +decision by the main consideration, which was, What will tend to the +greatest practical convenience of the world? That he need not address +a word to the other part of the argument which he thought at first of +commenting upon a little, for the Delegate of the United States, +Commander SAMPSON, who spoke first, had put his views so clearly +before the Conference that he (Professor ADAMS) would not detain it +longer. + +He would add, however, that if the Conference is to take a neutral +meridian they must either erect an observatory on the point selected, +which might be very inconvenient if they should choose such a point as +is alluded to by the Delegate of France, or if some such place was not +selected, we should merely have a zero of longitude by a legal +fiction, and that would not be a real zero at all; that they would +have to select their zero with reference to a known observatory, and +that, for instance, supposing they took a point for zero twenty +degrees west of Paris, of course that would be really adopting Paris +as the prime meridian; that it would not be so nominally, but in +reality it would be, and he thought that we now-a-days should get rid +of legal fictions as much as possible, and call things by their right +names. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, said: + +My eminent colleague, whose presence is an honor to this Congress, +Professor ADAMS, thinks that I overlook too much the practical side of +the question; namely, how a prime meridian can be established so as to +cause the least inconvenience. He says that I pay too much attention +to what he calls a question of sentiment, and he concludes by +expressing the hope that all nations will lay aside their national +pride and only be guided by this consideration: What meridian offers +the greatest practical advantages? My reply is that I intend no more +than Professor ADAMS to place the question upon the ground of national +pride; but it is one thing to speak in the name of national pride and +another to foresee that this sentiment common to all men, may show +itself, and that we should avoid conclusions likely to arouse it, or +we may compromise our success. That is all our argument; and the +history of the great nation to which Professor ADAMS belongs furnishes +us with examples of considerable significance, for the French meridian +of Ferro was never adopted by the English, notwithstanding its happy +geographical situation, and we all still awaiting the honor of seeing +the adoption of the metrical system for common use in England. + +But let us put aside these questions which I would not have been the +first to touch upon, and place ourselves upon the true ground of the +importance of the proposed reform, which is the only one worthy of +ourselves or of this discussion. We do not refuse to enter into an +agreement on account of a mere question, of national pride, and the +statement of the changes and expenses to which we should have to +submit in order to accomplish the agreement is a sufficient proof of +this. + +But we consider that a reform which consists in giving to a +geographical question one of the worst solutions possible, simply on +the ground of practical convenience, that is to say, the advantage to +yourselves and those you represent, of having nothing to change, +either in your maps, customs, or traditions--such a solution, I say, +can have no future before it, and we refuse to take part in it. + +Prof. ABBE, Delegate of the United States, stated that the Delegate of +France, Mr. JANSSEN, had made a very important proposition to the +Conference: That the meridian adopted should be a neutral one. He said +that he had endeavored to determine what a neutral meridian is. On +what principle shall the Conference fix upon a neutral meridian, and +what is a neutral meridian? Shall it be historical, geographical, +scientific, or arithmetical? In what way shall it be fixed upon? He +looked back a little into the history of an important system adopted +some years ago. France determined to give us a neutral system of +weights and measures, and the world now thanks her for it. She +determined that the base of this neutral system should be the +ten-millionth part of a quadrant of the meridian. She fixed it by +measurement, and to-day we use the metre as the standard in all +important scientific work; but is that metre part of a neutral +system? Is our metric system neutral? It was intended to be, but it is +not; we are using a French system. Had the English, or the Germans, or +the Americans taken the ten-millionth part of the quadrant of the +meridian, they would have arrived at a slightly different measure, and +there would have been an English, a German, and an American measure. +We are using the French metric system. It was intended to be a neutral +system, but it is a French system. We adopt it because it deserves our +admiration, but it is not a neutral system. The various nations of the +world might meet and agree upon some slight modification of this +metric system which would agree with the results of all scientific +investigations, and thus make it international instead of French; but +we do not care to do that, and are willing to adopt one system, taking +the standard of Paris as our standard. How shall we determine a +neutral system of longitude? The expression "neutral system of +longitude" is a myth, a fancy, a piece of poetry, unless you can tell +precisely how to do it. He would vote for a neutral system if the +French representatives can tell the Conference clearly how to decide +that it is neutral, and satisfy them that it is not national in any +way. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, said: + +I perfectly understand the objection of my honorable colleague, Prof. +ABBE. He asks what is a neutral meridian, and adds that the metre +itself does not appear to him to be a neutral measure, but to be a +French measure. He relies upon the consideration that if the English, +the Americans, and Germans, in adopting a definition of the metre, had +measured it for themselves, they would have arrived each at a slightly +different result, which would have given us an English, American, and +German metre; nevertheless, he adds, we use the French metre, because +we find it so admirable. + +I would answer, first, that the metre, as far as the measure is +derived from the dimensions of the earth, is not French, and it was +precisely to take away this character of nationality that those who +fixed on the metre sought to establish it on the dimensions of the +earth itself. What is French is the particular metre of our national +archives, which exhibits a very slight difference from that which our +actual geodesy would have given us. Also, I think that if, at the time +of the adoption of the Convention du Metre, in which the nations of +Europe participated, we had slightly changed the length of our +standard to make it agree with the result of actual geodetic +measurements, we should have done an excellent thing in depriving this +measure of any shadow of nationality. I agree with my honorable +colleague that if a few slight changes adopted by common accord could +perfect the metrical system, we French ought to have no motive for +opposing it. We have the honor of having invented a system of measures +which, being based upon considerations of a purely scientific nature, +has been accepted by all. Therefore if it can be said with truth that +the metre of the Archives of Paris is French, (not intentionally, but +because it bears the mark of an error of French origin,) it is an +international metre, by the same title that the discovery of the +satellites of Mars made by my friend, Prof. Asaph Hall, whom I have +the pleasure of seeing here, is scientific and of a universal nature. +The metre--equal to the ten-millionth part of the distance from the +equator to the pole--is no more French than that distance itself, and, +nevertheless, if the Americans, English, or Germans had measured it, +they would each have arrived at a slightly different metre. + +Now, my honorable colleague adds that a neutral meridian appears to +him a myth, a fancy, a piece of poetry, so long as we have not exactly +settled the method of determining it. I shall disregard the +expressions which my honorable colleague has thus introduced into the +discussion, because this discussion should be serious. It is plain +that Prof. ABBE did not thoroughly apprehend the explanations which I +gave of the proper methods of fixing the initial meridian, and of the +conditions which make a meridian neutral; but I return to them, since +I am invited to do so. Our meridian will be neutral if, in place of +taking one of those which are fixed by the existing great +observatories, to which, consequently, the name of a nation is +attached, and which by long usage is identified with that nation, we +choose a meridian based only upon geographical considerations, and +upon the uses for which we propose to adopt it. + +Do you want a striking example of what differentiates a neutral +meridian from a national meridian? In order to avoid the confusion +which existed in geography at the beginning of the seventeenth +century, on account of the multiplicity of initial meridians then in +use, a congress of learned men, assembled in Paris at the instance of +Richelieu to select a new common meridian, fixed its choice on the +most eastern point of the Island of Ferro. This was a purely +geographical meridian, being attached to no capital, to no national +observatory, and consequently neutral, or, if you please, purely +geographical. Later, Le pere Feuillet, sent in 1724 by the Academy of +Sciences to determine the exact longitude of the initial point, having +given the figure 19 deg. 55' 3" west of Paris, the geographer, Delisle, +for the sake of simplicity, adopted the round number 20 deg.; and, as I +stated a little while ago, this alteration completely changed the +character of this prime meridian. It ceased to be neutral, and became +merely the meridian of Paris disguised, as has been truly said, and +the English, notably, never adopted it. Here is the difference, +gentlemen, between a neutral meridian and a national meridian. + +And, parenthetically, you see, gentlemen, how dangerous it is to +awaken national susceptibilities on a subject of a purely scientific +nature. Now allow me to add that, if in 1633 it was possible to find a +neutral meridian, a purely geographical meridian, an independent +meridian, it may easily be done in 1884 if we wish to do so; and that +a point chosen on purely geographical considerations, either in +Behring's Strait or in the Azores, could be much better determined now +than was possible to Father Feuillet in 1724, and could take the +position which the meridian of Ferro would not have lost had it not +been confounded with the meridian of Paris. + +Professor J. C. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain, stated that he +merely desired to refer to one subject touched on by the Delegate of +France, Mr. JANSSEN, whose opinion he thought could hardly be +supported, and that was that the question of longitude was purely one +of geography. He desired to controvert that, and to hold that the +question of longitude was purely one of astronomical observation. The +difference of longitude between two places could not be determined by +geodetic observations, because to do this you must take hypothesis as +to the figure of the earth, and the figure of the earth is not a +simple figure. You may take as hypothesis that the figure of the earth +is spheroidal, and that the ratio of the axes is exactly defined. Now, +in the first place, we are not agreed as to the exact ratio of the +axes, nor are we agreed as to the exact figure of the earth. If an +attempt is made to measure the difference of longitude between two +points on the earth's surface, especially when they are a considerable +distance from each other, it is necessary to depend upon astronomical +observations. In attempting to deduce the difference of longitude from +geodetic measures, you must assume that the true figure and dimensions +of the earth are known, which is far from being the case. The theory +that the prime meridian is a matter purely of a geographical nature is +liable to the fatal objection that the determination of the difference +of longitude between one place and the other is really the +determination of the difference of time of the passage of a star +across the meridian of the two places concerned. That is very +definite. You observe the transit of the star at one place, and you +observe the transit of the star at the other place, and by means of +telegraphic communications you are able to determine their difference +of longitude independent of the figure of the earth. He said, in +conclusion, that he thought the honorable Delegate of France was +mistaken upon the main point which he had just referred to, if, +indeed, he had rightly understood him. + +M. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, replied as follows: + +I think that M. ADAMS entirely misunderstands me. I agree with him +absolutely in thinking that longitudes cannot be determined, +especially of places far apart, except by astronomical methods. +Geodesy can only furnish it for short distances; in such cases, it is +true, it supplies it with a degree of accuracy which meridianal +observations cannot attain. So, if the question be to determine +rigorously the difference of longitude in time between two places on +the earth at considerable distances apart, it becomes one of +astronomy, because here it is astronomy which gives the quickest and +most accurate solution. For these reasons if, for instance, we should +wish to connect a given observatory with a point situated on the other +side of the ocean which had been chosen as the starting point of +longitudes, it would become a question of astronomy. Astronomy here is +an admirable instrument for the solution, but it should only be the +instrument. + +On the contrary, the question becomes geographical, if it be that of +determining where it will be most convenient to fix the origin of +terrestrial longitudes. If the question be, for instance, to select +one or another point, in some one or other ocean, astronomy has +nothing to do with it, and when it wishes to impose upon us one of its +observatories to fulfil such a function it tends to give an inaccurate +solution. + +At first sight it may seem that any point might become a starting +point for terrestial longitudes, but when we study the question a +little more we see there may be great advantages in choosing some one +point in preference to some other. Hence it is that all geographers +have agreed to place initial meridians, when possible, in the oceans. + +The PRESIDENT stated that, in accordance with the decision of the +Conference, he had sent to the scientists named by them invitations to +a seat upon this floor. The Chair sees several of these gentlemen here +to-day, notably one of the most eminent astronomers of this country, +to whom his countrymen are always ready to do homage, Professor +Newcomb, Superintendent of the United States Nautical Almanac. If it +be the pleasure of the Congress, the Chair will now request Professor +Newcomb to give us his views upon the resolution now under discussion. + +No objection being made to the proposition of the President, Professor +NEWCOMB arose and said: + +That in reference to the remarks of the distinguished Delegate of +France, Professor JANSSEN, he would prefer, if the Conference would +consent, to study his arguments more carefully when they should be in +print. + +He remarked that some points raised by that argument have been already +replied to, and he wished now more particularly to request that +Professor JANSSEN would define precisely what he meant by "a neutral +meridian;" that he had partially answered this question in reply to +Professor ABEE; but that there was a more fundamental point, one of +practice, which must be brought in and kept in mind at every step, and +which was raised by Commander SAMPSON'S paper, to which he had +listened with great interest. Commander SAMPSON held that it would be +necessary to have a fixed observatory on the chosen prime meridian, +but he (Professor NEWCOMB) did not concur in that view, but rather +agreed to a limited extent with what Professor JANSSEN had said on +that question. + +In choosing a meridian from which to count longitude, you meet a +difficult problem. You have a point on the globe defined as the first +meridian. This would be taken as the initial point of departure, and +you are to determine the longitude of a certain place from that point. +Now, doubtless, there is no other way to do this than to have an +astronomical instrument and telegraphic communication. And if they +chose the Azores or Behring's Strait, in neither case could they mount +a transit instrument or have a system of telegraphic communication. +Nor could we make a determination of longitude from a single fixed +observatory in any case. + +He then stated that it was impracticable under any circumstances to +have an absolutely neutral prime meridian; that the definition of the +prime meridian must practically depend upon subsidiary considerations, +no matter where it might be located. In the practical work of +determining longitudes a connection with the prime meridian cannot be +made in each case. What is really determined is the longitude from +some intermediate point, generally in the same country, and in +telegraphic communication with the place whose longitude we wish to +know. This intermediate point would, for the time, be the practical +prime meridian. But the longitude of this point itself must always be +uncertain. Science is continually advancing in accuracy, and we find +that we continually need to correct the longitude of our intermediate +meridian, and hence of all points determined from it. How can this +difficulty of constantly changing longitudes be avoided? He replied +that each system of connected longitudes must rest upon its own basis. +It must be referred to an assumed prime meridian, and the +measurements must be made from that, even if it be found to be +somewhat in error. If some such system had been adopted thirty or +forty years ago, we would have avoided the confusion arising from the +fact that the longitudes given on many maps do not refer at all to any +absolute meridian. All that is known is that the astronomers +determined the longitude of the place, and then the maps had to be +corrected accordingly. The longitude of one place would be determined +from Cambridge, and perhaps in the neighborhood is another place +determined from the observatory at Washington. In either case we know +nothing of the longitude of Cambridge or Washington which the observer +assumed in his calculations. + +Generally, in determining longitude, the country adopts the principal +place within its confines as a subsidiary prime meridian, and the +assumed longitude of this place is necessarily selected somewhat +arbitrarily. The longitude, for instance, of Washington was, thirty +years ago, known to be nearly 5 hours 8 minutes and 12 seconds west +from Greenwich. Had we adopted this difference by law, it would have +amounted to choosing for our prime meridian a point 5 hours 8 minutes +and 12 seconds east of Washington, whether we happened to strike the +transit instrument at Greenwich or not. This would have fixed an +assumed longitude for the Cambridge observatory and for all points +within our telegraphic net-work. We should have had a practical +system, which might, however, require to be corrected from time to +time, if some slight error were found in the assumed longitude of +Washington. + +In the present state of astronomical observation these little errors +are of no consequence except in some very refined astronomical +discussions. For all geographical and perhaps geodetical purposes the +error may be regarded as zero, and it may be said, in regard to +astronomical work, that it will always be independent of any meridian +that might be chosen. + +But even if this difficulty were avoided, he could not see how they +could have any place which would come within the definition of a +neutral meridian. Supposing they took the Azores, they belong to +Portugal; then certainly they would have a Portuguese prime meridian, +belonging to the Portuguese nation. Thus they would no longer have a +neutral point, if he (Professor NEWCOMB) rightly understood the +meaning of Professor JANSSEN. + +He said that the Delegate of Great Britain, Professor ADAMS, had +expressed very clearly his (Professor NEWCOMB'S) ideas, and the +difficulty we have in meeting the propositions of the French +Delegates; that what he had said would apply very properly to any +neutral meridian that might be chosen in accordance with the plans of +Professor JANSSEN. Whatever that meridian might be, we must always +assume for it a certain number of degrees from the capital of the +country, where the place to be determined is located, and then take +that imaginary meridian instead of a real point on the surface of the +globe. + +It is true that this is perfectly practicable, and on that theory +there might not be any necessity of having an astronomical +observatory. But why we should go to this trouble and expense Mr. +JANSSEN did not make very clear; his considerations were purely +sentimental, as was remarked by the Delegate of Great Britain, +Professor ADAMS, and he (Prof. NEWCOMB) did not see what advantage +would be gained by a neutral meridian in preference to one fixed by +convenience. + +In order that a discussion may proceed, it is necessary to agree on a +given basis from which to start, and it is extremely difficult to +agree upon a basis if there are considerations of sentiment +introduced, because such considerations are peculiar to each person. + +He therefore wished to propose this question again to the Delegate of +France, namely, what advantages can we derive from fixing upon a +neutral meridian? + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, said: + +Professor NEWCOMB asks me to point out the advantages of a neutral +meridian. These advantages are of two kinds--they are of a +geographical nature and a moral nature. Let us examine the first. By +placing the initial meridian between Asia and America, we get away +from the centres of population, which is almost indispensable in view +of the change of dates. We divide the world into two parts, the Old +World and the New. The advantage of drawing the prime meridian +through the ocean has always been understood, and it was precisely for +this reason that Marinus of Tyre, during the first century, placed it +at the Fortunate Isles, west of the African Continent. It is idle to +urge the difficulty of fixing such a meridian as an objection. +Astronomy is so far advanced in our day as to enable us to make this +calculation with all desirable accuracy. + +As to the methods of obtaining this meridian exactly, there are +several. I have already spoken of them, but I return to the subject, +since more details are desired. These methods fall under two principal +heads. We can, and that is the ancient idea, choose some remarkable +physical point--as, for instance, the extremity of an island, a +strait, the summit of a mountain--and determine approximately the +distance in longitude of this point from the points of reference, +which are at present the observatories. This method, if all the +precision that science can now attain is required, would be costly in +certain cases. For the Azores the expense would be small, because of +the proximity of the telegraphic cables; it would be much greater for +Behring Straits. On the hypothesis of the employment of this method, +it would evidently be necessary to place our meridian at the Azores. + +According to the other method, it is not the physical point which is +fixed, but simply the distance of the assumed origin from the points +of comparison. For example, admit that the general definition of our +prime meridian was that it should pass through the middle of Behring +Straits. To obtain its theoretical definition, we should obtain a +position of this point, either by summary observations of the nature +of hydrographic surveys, or by the aid of existing information, and +the longitude thus obtained would be connected with the observatories +best connected with each other. A list of the differences of longitude +would become the definition of our meridian, and not the physical +point in the sea which marks the exact middle of the strait. If, now, +we absolutely wished for a physical point, we have the Island of St. +Lawrence, which is cut towards its eastern part by such a meridian, +and we could put a point of reference there, subject to the condition +that the position of this point should conform to the definition, and +that it should be removed, in one direction or the other, until it did +conform to it. As to the very slight errors which might still affect +the relative positions of the great observatories actually connected +by electricity, they do not concern geography. If I am not mistaken, +the eminent Superintendent of the American Nautical Almanac +acknowledges that we could thus avoid the difficulties which might +result from the changes to which the perfecting of science would in +the course of time give rise in the statement of longitudes. + +In this manner the expense would be nothing or small. Thus, also, the +meridian would be truly neutral, both by reason of its position in the +ocean between the continents, and by reason of its definition, since +the zero of longitude would then be so placed as to occupy a point not +identified with any nation. This illustration appears to me to answer +the demands of Professor NEWCOMB. I have taken it only for that +reason, for I maintain no particular method, but only the principle of +neutrality. + +Finally, I must return again to those sentimental reasons which my +eminent and friendly opponents so often call to my attention. If I do +not err, the very warmth of these interesting discussions shows me +that the honor of being personally connected with a great reform +touches us more than we are willing to admit, or than practical +interests alone could effect. + +Professor ADAMS himself supplies an illustration of this. He should +remember the lively discussions of the English and French press on the +occasion of the magnificent discovery of Neptune, and on the claims of +the two illustrious competitors who were then the objects of universal +admiration. If we go back in history, do we not see the friends of +Newton and of Leibnitz equally contesting with asperity the discovery +of the infinitesimal calculus. The love of glory is one of the noblest +motives of men; we must bow before it, but we must also be careful not +to permit it to produce bad fruits. + +When our men of science sought, a hundred years ago, to determine a +new measure of length, some one proposed the length of the seconds +pendulum at Paris. This measure was rejected, because it introduced +the idea of time in a measure of length, and also because it was +peculiar to Paris, and because a measure acceptable to the whole world +was desired. It is important not to introduce questions of national +rivalries into a scientific reform intended to be accepted by all, and +history shows us precisely on this question of prime meridians what +active rivalries there are. There was a time when almost every nation +which had a large observatory had a meridian, and that meridian was +considered an object of national pride. There were the meridians of +Paris, of Rome, of Florence, of London, and so on, and no nation was +willing to abandon its meridian for that of another. If you please to +adopt either the meridian of Greenwich, Washington, Paris, Berlin, +Pulkowa, Vienna, or Rome, our reform may be accepted for the moment, +especially if it offers immediate advantages in economy; but it will +contain within it a vice which will prevent its becoming definitive, +and we are not willing to participate in action which will not be +definitive. + +Whatever we may do, the common prime meridian will always be a crown +to which there will be a hundred pretenders. Let us place the crown on +the brow of science, and all will bow before it. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, said that he thought +that the Delegate of France, Professor JANSSEN, had explained very +fully the advantages of a neutral meridian, but he thought that he had +not explained how we are to determine the neutral meridian. He added +that he quite agreed with Professor ADAMS and Professor NEWCOMB, that +to establish a prime meridian it is necessary to refer its position to +an astronomical observatory. + +He stated further that if a meridian were selected passing through the +Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, it must be referred to some initial point +whose longitude is known, and the consequence of that would be, it +seemed to him, that the prime meridian selected would still be +dependent upon some national observatory, and that to select a +meridian at random without reference to any observatory would lead to +the utmost confusion, and, he had no doubt, would not be entertained +by any one. + +Prof. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. When my honorable colleague, +Commander SAMPSON, reads the remarks which I have just made, he will +see that I have very fully shown what characterizes a neutral or +geographical meridian, as contradistinguished from those meridians +which, passing through capitals and observatories of different +countries, bear the names of nations, whilst geographical meridians +bear geographical names, such as the meridian of Ferro, of the Azores, +Behring's Strait, &c. Of course it would be necessary to connect the +places selected with observatories, either by calculation or in some +other effective manner. I said all this a few moments ago. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, then remarked that in +addition to what had been said he would merely call attention to the +fact that after that neutral point had been established it would cease +to be a neutral meridian; that if the Azores be chosen they belong to +Portugal, and he did not know any island in the Pacific which would +serve the purpose, and at the same time not be subject to this +objection; that perhaps Behring's Strait, mentioned by the French +Delegate, might be less objectionable than any other place. He added +that it is absolutely necessary that there should be some means of +determining the difference between this adopted place and the other +places, or else no use could be made of it. We must know how far other +places are from the prime meridian, and for that reason it is +necessary that it should be on land. Now, that land must belong to +some country, and after we have fixed upon it it would cease to be a +neutral meridian, and it would have to be connected by telegraphic +wires with all the great observatories in the world. + +Prof. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. My honorable friend, Mr. +RUTHERFURD, says that from the time the prime meridian was chosen it +would cease to be neutral. I reply that he confounds a scientific +principle with a question of property in the soil. If, for reasons of +a geographical nature, we should fix upon a point in the Azores, that +meridian would be neutral, because it would have been chosen on +scientific grounds alone. The equator is neutral because geographical +conditions give it that character; and, nevertheless, the countries +along it belong to various nations, do they not? As to the manner of +connecting the prime meridian with the system of observatories, I have +already explained how this may be done in my former speech. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of England, remarked that he had rather +hesitated about saying anything on the subject, after the expression +of so many opinions of persons better qualified to speak than himself, +but he felt that he ought to make a few remarks as to the distinction +which Prof. JANSSEN had attempted to establish between astronomical +and geographical longitude. It appeared to him that longitude was +longitude. It would never do if, for geographic purposes, we are to +have a second or third-class longitude and for astronomical purposes a +first-class longitude. He said that as a geographer he repudiated any +such idea. When you come to the practical application of the +determination of longitude at sea for maritime purposes, it is true +that a much less accurate determination suffices than would suffice +for the determination of longitude for astronomical observatories; +but, for all that, what is the object of a ship desiring to know what +its place at sea is? Obviously to arrive at the port to which it is +destined, and the object to be obtained is such a determination of the +longitude as to enable that ship to arrive at its port without danger. +You obtain a comparatively imperfect determination of longitude, but +it is sufficiently accurate to prevent you from striking on the solid +earth. But how is the longitude of the port to be determined? +Certainly, as has been properly said, by astronomical observations, +which can only be made with certainty on the earth. Consequently, it +seemed to him that it is absolutely essential for fixing an initial +meridian for the determination of longitude that it should be placed +at an astronomical observatory which can be connected with other +places by astronomical observations and by telegraph wires, and that +the idea of fixing a neutral meridian is nothing more than the +establishment of an ideal meridian really based upon some point at +which there is located an observatory. This has been repeated once or +twice before, and I need not enlarge upon it. + +Prof. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. My honorable colleague, General +STRACHEY, thinks that longitude is longitude, and that there is not an +astronomical longitude and a geographical longitude. I answer, that +this is, nevertheless, what the nature of things indicates. The +longitude of observatories, or rather the difference of longitude +between those establishments, must be fixed with an accuracy which is +never sufficiently great. In the Bureau of Longitude of France we are +occupied with the differences of longitude of European observatories, +and we adopt for these calculations all the latest scientific +improvements, and especially the employment of electricity. Geography, +especially for general purposes, does not require this great accuracy, +which could not be expressed on maps. All geographers agree upon that +subject. A statement of the longitude is like the statement of a +weight, of a measure, or of anything, and its precision must vary +according to the purpose to which it is applied. Is not a weighing +necessary to determine a chemical equivalent of an entirely different +kind from that of a commercial weighing? Yet it is still a weight. Is +it necessary to insist on this further? It is entirely a secondary +question. If General STRACHEY, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in +India, demands that the prime meridian should be connected with +observatories with rigorous accuracy, this can be done if it be +desired; the astronomical and electrical methods at our disposal will +permit of it. + +Prof. ABBE, Delegate of the United States, said that he was quite +interested in the determination, if possible, of what is a neutral +meridian. We are precisely in the condition in which we were years +ago, when the French Institute determined that the basis of the metric +system should be the one ten-millionth of the quadrant of the globe. +Having settled upon that ideal basis, they spent years of labor, and +finally legalized a standard metre, which is still preserved at Paris. +We have now the same problem to solve. We have before us the idea of a +neutral meridian, and, if it be adopted, we must see that there be +embodied in the system the distance of certain other important places +with reference to it. The only suggestion given as to the location of +this neutral meridian is Behring's Strait. This is said to be a +neutral meridian, because it lies between Russia and America; but how +long will it remain so? Perhaps a year or two, or perhaps fifty years. +Who knows when Russia will step over and reconquer the country on this +side of Behring's Strait? Who knows when America will step over and +purchase half of Siberia? At any rate, that point is not cosmopolitan; +something must be found which is fixed, either within the sphere of +the earth or in the stars above the earth--something that is above all +human considerations--otherwise we shall fail in securing a neutral +meridian. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, said that he would +like to ask the Delegate from France, Mr. JANSSEN, where he would +place the neutral meridian. + +The PRESIDENT said that the Delegate of the United States, Commander +SAMPSON, puts a question which seems to be somewhat categorical. + +At this point in the proceedings the PRESIDENT stated that it would be +convenient if the Conference would take a short recess to enable the +Secretaries, with himself, to consult upon the subject of the +preparation and approval of the protocols. + +A recess was thereupon taken. + +After the recess, the Delegate from France, Prof. JANSSEN, presented +the following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the decision upon the motion of the French + Delegates, in regard to the choice of a neutral meridian, be + postponed to the next meeting of the Conference." + +He said that as he must speak French, and as several of his colleagues +could, perhaps, not entirely grasp the meaning of the discussion, he +asked for the adjournment of the vote until the next meeting, so that +the protocol of this meeting may be printed and distributed to the +members of the Conference. + +The PRESIDENT stated that as far as he understood this resolution it +merely amounted to this: that no vote shall be taken upon the original +resolution of the French Delegate--namely, as to the adoption of a +neutral meridian--until the next meeting of the Conference, when the +protocols in both languages will have been printed and distributed. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States, inquired whether, if +this resolution were adopted, it would be necessary to vote upon the +original question at the next meeting. + +The PRESIDENT replied that was not necessarily the case. The Delegate +of France simply desires that no vote shall be taken to-day. The +original subject will come up and be open for debate at the next +meeting, but it seemed to the Chair that it should be as far as +possible exhausted to-day, so that the Delegates could have the whole +matter before them at the next meeting. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate from France, said that the arguments already +presented will require time for careful consideration. Consequently he +asked for the adjournment of the vote, and he hoped that none of his +colleagues would object to it. + +The PRESIDENT stated that he would venture to suggest, for the purpose +of preventing delay, that so far as was possible any arguments that +are to be offered should be made now, so that in the protocol of this +day's proceedings, which will be of considerable length, these +arguments may be incorporated. + +Mr. RUSTEM EFFENDI, Delegate of Turkey, stated that it would be +impossible to prepare a proper protocol of this Conference without the +assistance of a French stenographer, and he therefore suggested that +such a stenographer be secured as early as possible. + +The PRESIDENT stated that efforts had been made to obtain a French +stenographer, but without success, and that if any Delegate knows of +such a stenographer and will communicate with the Chair it will be +happy to take the necessary steps to secure his services. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden, then made the following +statement: + +I beg to propose that the Conference adjourn at the call of the +President, that the time and hour for the next meeting be communicated +to the Delegates 24 hours before the meeting, and that at the same +time a proof-copy of the protocols of the present meeting be +forwarded. + +He added that by giving the Delegates 24 hours after the protocols are +printed time would be allowed them to revise the protocols and make +such corrections as they thought necessary, and those corrections +could be reported to the Secretaries and made in the printed text. The +protocol can then be finally and definitively printed and approved at +the beginning of the next meeting of the Conference. + +The proposition of the Delegate of Sweden was then adopted. + +The Conference then adjourned at 5 o'clock p. m., subject to the call +of the President. + + + + +IV. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 13, 1884. + + +The Conference met pursuant to adjournment in the Diplomatic Hall, in +the State Department, at one o'clock P. M. + +Present: + + Austria-Hungary: Baron I. VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Chili: Mr. F. V. GORMAS and Mr. A. B. TUPPER. + Colombia: Commodore FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. J. F. ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE and Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN and Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. C. ADAMS, Lieut. + General STRACHEY, and Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Guatemala: Mr. MILES ROCK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER and Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Liberia: Mr. WILLIAM COPPINGER. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ and Mr. ANGEL ANGUIANO. + Netherlands: Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, and + Mr. J. DE KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. M. DE J. GALVAN. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILIO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, and + Mr. JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Switzerland: Col. EMILE FREY. + Turkey: Mr. RUSTEM EFFENDI. + Venezuela: Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFURD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, and Prof. CLEVELAND ABBE. + +Absent: + + Denmark: Mr. C. S. A. DE BILLE. + Salvador: Mr. A. BATRES. + +The PRESIDENT. In view of the many communications addressed to the +President of this Conference, having reference to the business before +it, presenting statements and arguments in relation thereto, the Chair +asks that a committee be appointed, to which shall be referred all +such communications, and that the committee be instructed to make such +report upon them as it may deem advisable. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. I beg leave to propose to the +Conference that the appointment of this committee be left to the +President. + +Mr. SOTELDO, Delegate of Venezuela. I second the motion of the +Delegate of Sweden. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia. I entertain the same opinion, and I +support the motion. + +The motion was then unanimously adopted. + +The PRESIDENT. I will name as the members of the Committee the +Delegate of Great Britain, Professor ADAMS; the Delegate of Germany, +Mr. HINCKELDEYN; the Delegate of the United States, Professor ABBE; +the Delegate of Japan, Mr. KIKUCHI; and the Delegate of Costa Rica, +Mr. ECHEVERRIA. + +PRESIDENT. Alter a discussion of only three hours this Conference +adjourned a week ago to-day, subject to the call of its President. +Owing to the want of a French stenographer to report the words that +were spoken in French, there has been much delay in preparing the +protocol, which has not yet been completed. Fortunately, an +experienced French stenographer has been procured through the kind +intervention of Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, of the delegation from Great +Britain, and Mr. WILLIAM SMITH, Deputy Minister of Marine for the +Dominion of Canada. We may now hope to have a fairly accurate report +of what is said, both in French and English, needing only slight +verbal corrections, and the Chair trusts that delegates may find it +convenient to make the corrections very promptly, so that the +protocols may be printed and verified as speedily as possible. + +Should any delegate, who has not yet spoken, desire to address the +Conference upon the resolution of the Delegate from France, his +remarks will now be received, and when the mover of the resolution +shall close the debate, the vote will be taken, if such be the +pleasure of the Conference. + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. I have listened with +great attention and deep interest to the remarks which have fallen +from the several gentlemen who have spoken, and I desire your kind +indulgence for a few moments while I explain the views I have formed +on the motion of the distinguished Delegates from France. + +I feel that the important question which this Conference has to +consider must be approached in no narrow spirit. It is one which +affects every nationality, and we should endeavor, in the common +interest, to set aside any national or individual prejudices we +possess, and view the subject as members of one community--in fact, as +citizens of the world. Acting in this broad spirit, we cannot fail to +arrive at conclusions which will promote the common good of mankind. + +In deliberating on the important subject before us, it seems to me +there are two essential points which we should constantly bear in +mind. + +1. We should consider what will best promote the general advantage, +not now only, but for all future years, while causing at the present +time as little individual and national inconvenience as possible. + +2. We should, in coming to a determination on the main question for +which this Conference is called, leave nothing undone to avoid +offence, now or hereafter, to the sensitiveness of individual nations. + +The motion is, that the initial meridian to be chosen should be +selected on account of its neutrality. This undoubtedly involves the +selection of an entirely new meridian, one which has never previously +been used by any nation, as all initial meridians in use are more or +less national, and, as such, would not be considered neutral in the +sense intended by the honorable Delegates from France. + +Let us suppose that this Conference adopted the motion. Let us +suppose, further, that we found a meridian quite independent of and +unrelated to any existing initial meridian. Would we then have +accomplished the task for which we are met? I ask, would the +twenty-six nations here represented accept our recommendation to adopt +the neutral meridian? I greatly fear that the passing of the +resolution would not in the least promote the settlement of the +important question before the Conference. The world has already at +least eleven different first meridians. The adoption of the new +meridian contemplated by the Delegates from France would, I apprehend, +simply increase the number and proportionately increase the difficulty +which so many delegates from all parts of the earth are assembled here +to remove. + +This would be the practical effect of the passing of the resolution. +If it had any effect, it would increase the difficulty, and I need not +say that is not the object which the different Governments had in view +when they sent delegates to this Conference. The President has well +pointed out in his opening address the advantages which would be +gained, and the great dangers which, at times, would be avoided by +seafaring vessels having one common zero of longitude. Besides the +benefits which would accrue to navigation, there are advantages of +equal importance in connection with the regulation of time, to spring, +I trust, from our conclusions. + +It does not appear to me that the adoption of the motion would in any +way advance these objects. I do not say that the principle of a +neutral meridian is wrong, but to attempt to establish one would, I +feel satisfied, be productive of no good result. A neutral meridian is +excellent in theory, but I fear it is entirely beyond the domain of +practicability. If such be the case, it becomes necessary to consider +how far it would be practicable to secure the desired advantages by +adopting as a zero some other meridian which, while related to some +existing first meridian, would not be national in fact, and would have +the same effect as a perfectly neutral meridian in allaying national +susceptibilities. + +The selection of an initial meridian related to meridians now in use +gives us a sufficiently wide choice. Allow me to read the following +list, showing the number and the total tonnage of vessels using the +several meridians named, in ascertaining their longitude. + +====================================================================== + | SHIPS OF ALL KINDS. | PER CENT. + INITIAL MERIDIANS. +---------------------+-------------------- + | Number. | Tonnage. | Ships. | Tonnage. +---------------------------+---------+-----------+--------+----------- +Greenwich..................| 37,663 |14,600,972 | 65 | 72 +Paris......................| 5,914 | 1,735,083 | 10 | 8 +Cadiz......................| 2,468 | 666,602 | 5 | 3 +Naples.....................| 2,263 | 715,448 | 4 | 4 +Christiana.................| 2,128 | 695,988 | 4 | 3 +Ferro......................| 1,497 | 567,682 | 2 | 3 +Pulkova....................| 987 | 298,641 | 11/2 | 11/2 +Stockholm..................| 717 | 154,180 | 11/2 | 1 +Lisbon.....................| 491 | 164,000 | 1 | 1 +Copenhagen.................| 435 | 81,888 | 1 | 1/2 +Rio de Janeiro.............| 253 | 97,040 | 1/2 | 1/2 +Miscellaneous..............| 2,881| 534,569 | 41/2 | 21/2 + |---------+-----------+--------+----------- + Total ...............| 57,697|20,312,093 | 100 | 100 +---------------------------+---------+-----------+--------+----------- + +It thus appears that one of these meridians, that of Greenwich, is +used by 72 per cent. of the whole floating commerce of the world, +while the remaining 28 per cent. is divided among ten different +initial meridians. If, then, the convenience of the greatest number +alone should predominate, there can be no difficulty in a choice; but +Greenwich is a national meridian, and its use as an international zero +awakens national susceptibilities. It is possible, however, to a great +extent, to remove this objection by taking, for a zero of longitude +and time, the meridian farthest distant from Greenwich. This being on +the same great circle as Greenwich, it would not require the +establishment of a new observatory; its adoption would produce no +change in charts or nautical tables, beyond the notation of longitude. +It would possess all the advantage claimed for the Greenwich meridian +in connection with navigation, and as a zero for regulating time it +would be greatly to be preferred to the Greenwich meridian. This +Pacific meridian being accepted as the common zero, and longitude +being reckoned continuously in one direction, there would be an end to +the necessity of any nation engraving on its charts the words +"longitude east or west of Greenwich." The one word "longitude" would +suffice. The zero meridian would be international and in no respect +national. Even on British charts all reference to Greenwich would +disappear. + +This view of the question is sustained by many distinguished men. I +shall only ask permission to read the opinion of Mr. Otto Struve, +Director of the Imperial Observatory at Pulkova, than whom there is no +higher authority. + +"The preference given to the Greenwich meridian was based, on one +side, on the historical right of the Royal Observatory of England, +acquired by eminent services rendered by this establishment during the +course of two centuries, to mathematical geography and navigation; on +the other side, considering that the great majority of charts now in +use upon all the seas are made according to this meridian, and about +90 per cent. of the navigators of long standing are accustomed to take +their longitude from this meridian. However, an objection against this +proposition is, that the meridian of Greenwich passes through two +countries of Europe, and thus the longitude would be reckoned by +different signs in different portions of our own continent and also of +Africa. + +"Moreover, the close proximity of the meridian of Paris, to which, +perhaps, some French geographers and navigators of other nations would +still hold to, from custom, from a spirit of contradiction or from +national rivalry, might easily cause sad disaster. To obviate these +inconveniences, I have proposed to choose as prime meridian another +meridian, situated at an integral number of hours east or west of +Greenwich, and among the meridians meeting this condition, I have +indicated, in the first place, the meridian proposed to-day by +scientific Americans, as that which would combine the most favorable +conditions for its adoption. Thus the meridian situated 180 deg. from +Greenwich presents the following advantages:-- + +"1. It does not cross any continent but the eastern extremity of the +North of Asia, inhabited by people very few in number and little +civilized, called Tschouktschis. + +"2. It coincides exactly with that line where, after the custom +introduced by a historical succession of maritime discoveries, the +navigator makes a change of one unit in the date, a difference which +is made near a number of small islands in the Pacific Ocean, +discovered during the voyages made to the east and west. Thus the +commencement of a new date would be identical with that of the hours +of cosmopolitan time. + +"3. It makes no change to the great majority of navigators and +hydrographers, except the very simple addition of twelve hours, or of +180 deg. to all longitudes. + +"4. It does not involve any change in the calculations of the +Ephemerides most in use amongst navigators, viz., the English Nautical +Almanac, except turning mid-day into midnight, and _vice versa_. In +the American Nautical Almanac there would be no other change to +introduce. With a cosmopolitan spirit, and in the just appreciation of +a general want, the excellent Ephemerides published at Washington, +record all data useful to navigators calculated from the meridian of +Greenwich. + +"For universal adoption, as proposed by the Canadian Institute, it +recommends itself to the inhabitants of all civilized countries, by +reason of the great difference in longitude, thus removing all the +misunderstandings and uncertainties concerning the question, as to +whether, in any case, cosmopolitan or local time was used. + +"In answer to the first question offered by the Institute at Toronto, +I would, therefore, recommend the Academy to pronounce without +hestation in favor of the universal adoption of the meridian situated +180 deg. from Greenwich, as Prime Meridian of the globe." + +I quote from the report of M. Otto Struve to the Imperial Academy of +Sciences of St. Petersburg, 30th Sept., 1880. + +I respectfully submit, we have thus the means of solving the problem +presented to us, without attempting to find such a meridian as that +contemplated in the motion of the honorable delegates. Whatever its +origin, the Pacific meridian referred to would soon be recognized as +being as much neutral as any meridian could possibly be. If, on the +other hand, we adopt the motion, I very greatly fear that the great +object of this Conference will be defeated, and the settlement of a +question so pregnant with advantages to the world will be indefinitely +postponed. + +Dr. CRULS, Delegate of Brazil. Gentlemen. Since the opening of this +discussion more authoritative voices than mine--among others that of +the Honorable Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain, who has +just expressed his opinion upon the question--have been heard upon the +important subject which we are now called upon to discuss, and of +which we should endeavor to find a full and final solution. The +various aspects of the projected reform--viz., the unification of +longitude, which numerous international interests recommend to our +care--appear to me to have been examined, and that relieves me of the +task of taking up again the question in its details, and permits me to +abridge very much the considerations which I think it is my duty to +present in order to explain my vote. Upon to the present moment we +have settled one point, gentlemen, and it is one of great importance; +that is, the necessity of adopting a common prime meridian. This point +has obtained the support of all the Delegates present at the +Conference. This necessity being recognized, it is proper to take +another step towards the solution of the problem presented to us, and +to decide what that meridian shall be. It is this choice, gentlemen, +which at this moment forms the subject of our discussion, and upon +which we have to decide. + +My honorable colleague, Mr. RUTHERFURD, the Delegate of the United +States, has presented a motion proposing the adoption of the meridian +of Greenwich, a motion which is again made, having been withdrawn +temporarily from our discussion with the consent of its proposer. The +motion which was presented at the last session, and which has formed +the subject of numerous interesting discussions is that made by my +honorable colleague, Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, who proposes +that the meridian adopted should have a neutral character, and should +not cross either of the great continents of Europe or America. This +proposition, gentlemen, has been strongly resisted by the Delegates of +Great Britain and the United States, and firmly maintained by the +Delegates of France, and the debates which followed gave us an +opportunity of being present at a scientific tournament of the highest +interest. The speakers whom we have had the honor of hearing seem to +me to have exhausted all the arguments for and against, and at the +present stage of the discussion I presume that these debates have +permitted each one of us to form, with a full knowledge of the case, +an opinion upon the question on which we are called to vote. + +For my part, gentlemen, I desire to state clearly the attitude that +Brazil, in my opinion, must take in this Conference. That attitude is +one of absolute neutrality, inasmuch as the question is whether or not +to choose a national meridian which may provoke among certain nations +very legitimate rivalries. From the point of view only of the +interests of Brazil, the choice of one meridian rather than any other +is recommended to me by no consideration. Our local charts are +referred to the nearest meridian, that of the observatory of Rio +Janeiro, which is the point of departure in the geodetic or +hydrographic operations in course of execution in Brazil, and which +all are connected with that same meridian. The marine charts of the +coast most in use are the result of the hydrographic works executed by +the Commandant MOUCHEZ, now admiral and director of the observatory of +Paris. As to the telegraphic determination of the longitude of the +observatory of Rio, we owe it to the American Commission, directed by +Commandant GREEN, of the United States Navy. Now, gentlemen, up to the +day on which the Conference met for the first time, I had hoped that +these discussions entered upon under the influence of a generous +rivalry, and having for their only purpose the establishment of a +measure, the necessity of which is strongly sought by many interests +of a diverse nature, would lead to a complete and final solution of +the problem. Unfortunately, and I regret to be obliged to add it, the +differences of opinion which have manifested themselves in this +Congress permit scarcely a hope of this result. For my part, +gentlemen, I cannot lose sight of the fact that it is indispensable +that the question for which this Congress is assembled should receive +a complete settlement; if not, the purpose of the Congress will not be +attained. Since the Delegates of France have manifested from the +begining of our discussions their opposition to the adoption of any +meridian which had a national character, which has given rise to the +motion presented by Mr. JANSSEN, it follows that every measure voted +by the Congress tending to the adoption of a national meridian, will +be, by the very fact of the abstention of France, an incomplete +measure, and which will not answer the purpose sought by the +Conference. I hasten to add, in order to avoid all erroneous +interpretations which could be given to my words, that it would be the +same, if, for instance, the meridian of Paris was proposed, and any +great maritime nation, such as England, the United States, or any +other, should abstain from voting for its adoption. In that case, +also, the measure adopted would not be complete, and in that case, +also, my line of conduct would be the same. + +To resume, I would say that the great benefits that the whole world +will receive from the adoption of a common prime meridian will not be +fully produced unless the measure is unanimously accepted by all the +most important maritime nations. In any other event, I am, for my +part, absolutely convinced that the measure adopted will be partly +inefficacious, its adoption not being general, and everything will +have to be done over again in the not distant future. The discussions +at which we have been present abundantly prove to me that it will +always be so, as long as the meridian of some great nation is +proposed. In the face of this difficulty, which appears to me +insurmountable, the only solution which, by its very nature, will not +raise exciting questions of national pride is that of a meridian +having a character of absolute neutrality. If the adoption of such a +meridian was admitted in principle, I am certain that a discussion +based upon pure science, and following the best conditions which it +should realize, would conduct us rapidly to a practical settlement of +the question. + +In such a discussion the arguments which ought to prevail should be, +before everything, drawn from science, the only source of truth which +alone can enlighten us, so as to permit us to form a sound judgment, +and to decide solely upon considerations of a purely scientific +nature. + +In addition to these considerations, I am not ignorant that there are +others. I refer to questions of economy of which it is necessary to +take count. As to political interests, if there are any, our eminent +colleagues who represent so worthily the diplomatic element in this +assembly would see that they had due weight, and, thanks to this +assembly of men distinguished, some in science and others in +diplomacy, there was every reason to hope that the final practical +solution of the question which we are seeking would not be long in +being made clear to us all by the discussions. + +Moreover, this practical solution appears to me already to follow from +what our honorable colleague, M. JANSSEN, has told us on that subject. +The principle of the neutral meridian once adopted, there would still +to be discussed the conditions which it should fulfil and the +determination of its position. Two things must be considered, either +the meridian will be exclusively over the ocean, and then, by its very +nature, it will be neutral, or it will cut some island, and in that +case nothing would prevent an international diplomatic convention +making neutral the plot of land on which it was desirable to establish +an observatory, which would in reality be a very small matter. Of +these two solutions, both of which satisfy the conditions which the +meridian ought to fulfil in its character of neutrality and by the +requirements of science, I prefer the second. I wish merely to suggest +by what I have said how it would be possible to arrive at a practical +solution of the question, since now I am only speaking of the adoption +of the principle of the neutral meridian. + +I conclude, gentlemen, by declaring that I shall vote in favor of the +adoption of a meridian with a character of absolute neutrality, and in +doing so I hope to contribute my share to giving our resolutions such +a character of independence as is necessary to make them generally +acceptable in the future, and to unite in their support, at present, +scientific men without distinction of nationality who are now awaiting +our decision. + +Professor JANSSEN, Delegate of France. Gentlemen, I have listened with +a great deal of attention to the discourse of the Delegate of England, +Mr. FLEMING, and if we had not had such an exhaustive discussion last +session, at which, I believe, all the reasons for and against were +given, I would certainly have asked permission to answer it. But I +believe that on all sides we are sufficiently enlightened on the +question, and I desire above all to declare that it is not our +intention of making this debate eternal. It is now for you, gentlemen, +to decide. I am the more inclined to act thus, as my honorable +colleague, the Delegate of Brazil, Dr. L. CRULS, who is an astronomer +like myself, appears to me to have recapitulated the question with a +loftiness of views, and in such happy language, that, in truth, we may +take his arguments as our own. Before concluding, I wish to thank my +colleagues for the kind attention that they have been good enough to +accord me. + +The PRESIDENT. The question recurs upon the resolution offered by the +Delegates of France. The resolution is as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the initial meridian should have a + character of absolute neutrality. It should be chosen + exclusively so as to secure to science and to international + commerce all possible advantages, and especially should cut + no great continent--neither Europe nor America." + +The PRESIDENT. Is the Conference ready for the question? No objection +being made, the roll was called, with the following result: + + _Ayes_. + + Brazil, San Domingo. + France, + + _Noes_. + Austria, Germany, + Chili, Great Britain, + Colombia, Guatemala, + Costa Rica, Hawaii, + Italy, Spain, + Japan, Sweden, + Liberia, Switzerland, + Mexico, Turkey, + Netherlands, United States, + Paraguay, Venezuela. + Russia, + + +Twenty-one noes and three ayes. + +The PRESIDENT. The resolution is, therefore, lost. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, in +presenting again the resolution which was withdrawn by me to give +place to the resolution offered by our colleagues from France, having +taken the advice from several members of the Conference with whom I +consulted, it was thought best to offer a system of resolutions which +should be responsive to the mandate under which we act. With the view +of bringing the subject to the notice of all the members of the +Conference, I caused copies of the resolutions which I hold in my hand +to be sent to them. + +I have since heard that is has been held that these resolutions had +been irregularly so communicated; that is, that the communication was +made in a semi-official manner. I beg to express an entire disclaimer +of anything of that sort. It was merely my individual action, and I +desired to give notice of certain resolutions, with the sole view of +having them fully understood before we met and to save time. I hope, +therefore, that this excuse and explanation will be understood and +accepted. + +These resolutions are founded, as far as may be, upon those adopted at +Rome. They differ from them only in two points. In the counting of +longitude the Conference at Rome proposed that it should take place +around the globe in one direction. This counting was to be in the +direction from west to east. + +Very singularly, I find in the report of the proceedings of the Roman +Conference no discussion on that subject. No questions were asked, nor +were any reasons given, why it should be so counted, and yet it was an +entire divergence from the usage of the world at that time. The +wording of the resolution of the Conference at Rome is substantially +this: That the counting of longitude should take place from the +meridian of Greenwich in the single direction of west to east. + +It being my desire to avail myself, as far as possible, of the work of +the Conference at Rome, I consulted with my colleagues here, and found +that there was a great diversity of opinion. In the first place, some +said we have always counted longitude both ways, east to west and west +to east. Shall we cease to do that? Those who claimed that it was a +more scientific way to count all around the globe immediately differed +on the direction in which the longitude should be counted. Without +going into any argument as to which of these methods would be the best +or most convenient, I propose, by the second resolution, that we +should go on in the old way, and count longitude from the initial +meridian in each direction. + +One of the objects of the third resolution is to make the new +universal day coincide with the civil day rather than with the +astronomical day. In the Conference at Rome the universal day was made +to coincide with the astronomical day. It seems to me that the +inconvenience of that system would be so great that we ought to +hesitate before adopting it. For us in America, perhaps the +inconvenience would not be so very great, but for such countries as +France and England, and those lying about the initial meridian, the +inconvenience would be very great, for the morning hours would be one +day, and the afternoon hours would be another day. That seems to me to +be a very great objection. + +It was simply, therefore, to obviate this difficulty that this +resolution was offered. I hope, notwithstanding, that some day, not +far distant, all these conflicting days, the local, the universal, the +nautical, and the astronomical, may start from some one point. This +hope I have the greater reason to cherish since I have communicated +with the distinguished gentlemen who are here present, and it was with +that hope before me that I framed the resolution so that the beginning +of the day should be the midnight at the initial meridian, and not the +mid-day. With this explanation, I now again move the adoption of the +first resolution, which is as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes to the Governments + here represented the adoption of the meridian passing + through the centre of the transit instrument at the + Observatory of Greenwich as the initial meridian for + longitude." + +The PRESIDENT. The Conference has heard the resolution. Any remarks +are now in order. + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. I think, sir, the +resolution goes a little too far at a single leap. I beg leave, +therefore, to move an amendment in harmony with the resolution, at the +same time leaving it to be settled by a subsequent resolution, whether +the zero be at Greenwich or at the other side of the globe. + + "That a meridian proper, to be employed as a common zero in + the reckoning of longitude and the regulation of time + throughout the world, should be a great circle passing + through the poles and the centre of the transit instrument + at the Observatory of Greenwich." + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I desire merely +to state, in reference to the amendment brought forward by one of our +delegates, that the remaining delegates of Great Britain are by no +means of the opinion expressed in that amendment, and that it is their +intention, if it should come to a vote, to vote against it. + +The proposition to count longitude from a point 180 degrees from the +meridian of Greenwich appears to them not to be accompanied by any +advantage whatever. On the contrary, it must lead to inconvenience. +You do not, by adopting the meridian opposite Greenwich, get rid of +the nationality of the meridian. If there is objection to the meridian +of Greenwich on account of its nationality, the meridian of 180 +degrees from Greenwich is subject to the same objection. The one half +is just as national as the other half. + +The PRESIDENT. The chair would say that no specific meridian is +mentioned in the amendment. + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. That is true, but, at the same +time, it should be said that the meridian described is ambiguous. It +is the meridian that passes through the poles and the centre of the +transit instrument of the Observatory of Greenwich. That is the +language of the amendment. But it is intended to apply to only +one-half of the great circle passing through the poles, that is to the +distant half of the meridian rather than to the nearer half. Unless it +defines which half it is intended to take, the amendment is ambiguous, +and it is not proper to be voted on. + +Mr. MILES ROCK, Delegate of Guatemala. Mr. President, It may be well +to hear the words of the original resolution, in order that we can +clearly see the relation of the amendment to that resolution. + +The original resolution of the Delegate of the United States was then +read. + +Baron VON ALVENSLEBEN, Delegate of Germany. Mr. President, I think +that in this amendment offered by the Delegate of Great Britain two +questions are mixed up together. The first thing for us to do is to +fix upon a prime meridian; the second thing to settle is the question +whether the adoption of a universal day is desirable or not. If we +adopt this amendment, these two questions are involved in one vote. +Therefore, I think that they should be divided, for they are not +appropriate in the form in which they are presented. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain. I ask permission to speak, in order to +explain my vote. The Government which I represent here has told me to +accept the Greenwich meridian as the international meridian for +longitudes, but I think it my duty to say that, though the question +does not arise in this debate, that Spain accepts this in the hope +that England and the United States will accept on their part the +metric system as she has done herself. I only wish to state this, and +I have no intention of making it a subject of discussion. I shall only +add that I believe Italy is similarly situated with Spain in this +matter. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would say with great deference to the +distinguished Delegate from Spain that the question of weights and +measures is beyond the scope of this Conference. The invitation given +by the Government of the United States to the nations here represented +was for a distinct and specific purpose, the selection of a prime +meridian, a zero of longitude throughout the world and a standard of +time-reckoning. So far as the Chair is informed, it would not be in +order at this Conference to discuss a question of metric system. + +Mr. JUAN VALERA, Delegate of Spain. My only intention in making these +remarks was to verify a fact. I know very well that we have not to +discuss that question. Besides, the Government which I represent +expresses only a hope, and I know we do not insert any hopes in our +protocols; but I thought it my duty to make this declaration. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France. I desire to make some remarks on the +question when it is put to a vote; for the time being I shall only say +a few words on the remarks of my honorable colleague, the Delegate of +Spain, Mr. Valera. I believe that though the question of weights and +measures is not before the Conference, it is allowable for a member to +state, in the name of his Government, the conditions to which his vote +has been subordinated. Even though the question is not under +discussion, it may appear from such an explanation that the vote is +conditional, instead of being a simple affirmation. If my honorable +colleague has received from his Government instructions to subordinate +his vote to such or such a condition, even when the question to which +it is subordinated is not submitted to the Conference, it follows from +it, according to me, and everybody will admit it, that the +consequences of that vote are at least conditional. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain. My Government has charged me to express +here its hopes and desires, but the vote which I have given is not, in +my opinion, conditional; for I have received instructions to pronounce +in favor of the Greenwich meridian to measure the degrees of +longitude. However, it was necessary for me to say at the same time +that it was with the hope that England and the United States would +adopt the French weights and measure. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. While I entirely agree +with the view which the Chair has taken of the question whether the +adoption of metrical weights and measures is before this +Conference--namely, that it is beyond our competence to discuss +it--yet I am glad to have the opportunity of saying that I am +authorized to state that Great Britain, after considering the opinions +which were expressed at Rome, has desired that it may be allowed to +join the Convention du metre. The arrangements for that purpose, when +I left my country, were either completed, or were in course of +completion, so that, as a matter of fact, Great Britain henceforth +will be, as regards its system of weights and measures, exactly in the +same position as the United States. + +In Great Britain the use of metrical weights and measures is +authorized by law. Contracts can be made in which they are used, and +the department which regulates the weights and measures of Great +Britain is charged, consequently, with the duty of providing properly +authenticated standard metric weights and measures for purposes of +verification. It is quite true that the Government of England does not +hold out any expectation that she will adopt the compulsory use of the +metric system, either at the present time, or, so far as that goes, at +any future time; but it is a well known fact--and in saying this I +shall be supported, I have no doubt, by the views of the eminent +scientific men of my own country who are here present--that there is a +strong feeling on the part of scientific men of England that, sooner +or later, she will be likely to join in the use of that system, which, +no doubt, is an extremely good one, and which, so far as purely +scientific purposes are concerned, is largely in use at the present +time. + +Mr. VALERA, Delegate of Spain. I desire to thank the honorable +Delegate of England, General Strachey, for the friendly words which he +has just pronounced, and to felicitate myself for having manifested +the desire and hope of my Government that England should accept the +weights and measures which have been accepted in Spain and in other +parts of the European continent. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France. Mr. Chairman, I cannot pretend to +make any suggestion of any technical value on the question now before +us. I only rise to add a few words to the views which have been so +authoritatively expounded to you by Prof. JANSSEN, in order to explain +clearly the situation of the French Government in this important +discussion. + +It is henceforth evident, after the instructive debate at which we +have just assisted, that the meridian of Greenwich is not a scientific +one, and that its adoption implies no progress for astronomy, geodesy, +or navigation; that is to say, for all the branches and pursuits of +human activity interested in the unification at which we aim. + +Thus, science is absolutely disinterested in the selection which we +are now discussing and that fact I wish to emphasize particularly, as +we are about to take a vote which we can easily anticipate by the one +we had a few minutes ago, in order that the opponents of the +resolution may not be accused of obstructing progress and the great +aims of science for private interests. + +If, on the contrary, any conclusion is to be drawn from the +instructive debate at which we have assisted, it is that the +principal, I will say more, the only merit of the Greenwich +meridian--and our colleague from Great Britain just now reminded us of +it by enumerating with complacency the tonnage of British and American +shipping--is that there are grouped around it, interests to be +respected, I will acknowledge it willingly, by their magnitude, their +energy, and their power of increasing, but entirely devoid of any +claim on the impartial solicitude of science. To strengthen my +assertion, gentlemen, I fall back upon the arguments brought forward +by Mr. Hirsch in his remarkable report to the Geodetic Conference at +Rome, arguments that evidently carried the vote of that assembly. + +The Greenwich meridian, says that report, corresponds to an empire +that embraces twenty million square kilometres and a population of two +hundred and fifty millions. Her merchant marine, which counts 40,000 +ships of a tonnage from six to nine million tons, and crews of +370,000 men, surpasses in importance all the other marines put +together. Other States, equally important by their merchant marine, +especially the United States, make use of the Greenwich meridian. +Well, gentlemen, if we weigh these reasons--the only ones that have +been set forth, the only ones that at present militate for the +Greenwich meridian--is it not evident that these are material +superiorities, commercial preponderances that are going to influence +your choice? Science appears here only as the humble vassal of the +powers of the day to consecrate and crown their success. But, +gentlemen, nothing is so transitory and fugitive as power and riches. +All the great empires of the world, all financial, industrial, and +commercial prosperities of the world, have given us a proof of it, +each in turn. + +So long as there are not in polities or commerce any scientific means +by which to fix, to enchain fortune, I see no reason to fix, to +enchain, to subordinate, so to say, science to their fate. + +The character of the proposed determination of the initial meridian is +so evident, that the reporter of the Conference at Rome, Mr. Hirsch, +admits it implicitly, for recognizing that the adoption of the +meridian of Greenwich is a sacrifice for France, he asks that England +should respond by a similar concession, by favoring the definitive +adoption of the metric system, and by acceding to the Convention of +the metre which furnishes to all States metric standards rigorously +compared. Thus, Mr. Hirsch, in a spirit of justice, wished to make for +each a balance of profit and loss--evident proof that the question was +of a commercial, and of no scientific advantage. I am not aware, and +my mission is not to discover, whether the bargain might have been +accepted by France. However, it is with great pleasure that I heard +our colleague from England declare that his Government was ready to +join the international metric convention, but I notice, with sorrow, +that our situation in this Congress is not as favorable as that of +Rome, since the total abandonment of our meridian is proposed without +any compensation. + +At Rome the adoption of the metric system of weights and measures, of +which France had the glorious initiative, was held out to us, but here +we are simply invited to sacrifice traditions dear to our navy, to +national science, by adding to that immolation pecuniary sacrifices. + +We are assuredly very much flattered that there should be attributed +to us sufficient abnegation to elevate us to that double heroism. We +wish that we were able to justify such a flattering opinion, and +especially we should like to be encouraged by examples. There are at +this very moment magnificent transformations to be realized for +the progress of science, and of the friendly relations of +nations--unification of weights and measures, adoption of a common +standard of moneys, and many other innovations of a well recognized +utility, infinitely more pressing and more practical than that of +meridians. When the discussion of these great questions is begun, let +each nation come and bring its share of sacrifices for this +international progress. France, according to her usage, I may say so +without vain glory as without false modesty, France will not remain +behind. For the present we decline the honor of immolating ourselves +alone for progress of a problematic, and eminently secondary order; +and it is with perfect tranquillity of conscience that we declare that +we do not concur in the adoption of the meridian of Greenwich, +persuaded as we are that France does not incur the reproach of +retarding and of obstructing the march of science by abstaining from +participating in this decision. + +The PRESIDENT. Unless some other Delegate desires to speak, the +question will be put upon the amendment of the Delegate of Great +Britain, Mr. FLEMING. + +The question was then put, and the amendment was lost. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair sees upon the floor to-day, as the guest of +this Conference, one of the most distinguished scientists, who was +invited to be present at our meetings, Sir WILLIAM THOMSON, whose name +is known the world over in connection with subjects kindred to this we +are now discussing. If it be the pleasure of the Conference to ask Sir +WILLIAM THOMSON briefly to express his views, the Chair would be very +happy to make the invitation. + +The Chair, hearing no dissent, takes pleasure in introducing Sir +WILLIAM THOMSON. + +Sir WILLIAM THOMSON. Mr. President and Gentlemen, I thank you for +permitting me to be present on this occasion, and I thank you also for +giving me the opportunity of expressing myself in reference to the +subject under discussion. I only wish that the permission which you +have so kindly given me may conduce to the objects of this Conference +more than I can hope any words of mine can do. + +The question immediately under discussion is, I understand, the +proposal that the meridian passing through the centre of the +instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich shall be adopted as the +initial meridian of longitude, and it does seem to me that this is a +practical question; that this resolution expresses a practical +conclusion that it is expected by the world the present Conference may +reach. It is expected that the resolutions adopted will be for the +general convenience, and not for the decision of a scientific +question. It is the settlement of a question which is a matter of +business arrangement. The question is, what will be most convenient, +on the whole, for the whole world. + +It cannot be said that one meridian is more scientific than another, +but it can be said that one meridian is more convenient for practical +purposes than another, and I think that this may be said pre-eminently +of the meridian of Greenwich. + +I do most sincerely and fervently hope that the Delegates from France +and from the other nations who voted for the preceding resolution will +see their way to adopt the resolution that is now before the +Conference. It does seem to me that it is a question of sacrifice, and +I do trust that the honorable Delegate from France who spoke last, Mr. +LEFAIVRE, will see that France is not being asked to make any +sacrifice that it was not prepared to make. + +In the admirable and interesting addresses which Mr. JANSSEN has given +to this Conference, (which I had not the pleasure or satisfaction of +hearing, but which I have read with great interest,) the readiness of +France to make a much greater sacrifice than that which is now +proposed was announced. The amount of sacrifice involved in making +any change from an existing usage must always be more or less great, +because it cannot be said that it is a matter of no trouble to make +such a change; but what I may be allowed to suggest is that the +sacrifice which France was ready to make would be very much greater +than that which would be made by adopting the resolution now pending. + +If the resolution for a neutral meridian had been adopted, all nations +would have to make the sacrifice necessary for a change to a meridian +not actually determined, and the relations of which could not be so +convenient with those meridians already adopted as are the relations +between the meridians now in use with that of Greenwich. It does seem +to me that if the Delegates of France could see their way to adopt +this resolution, they would have no occasion whatever to regret it. + +I sympathize deeply with what has been said in regard to a common +metrical system. I have a very strong opinion upon this subject, which +I will not express, however, if it meets any objection from the Chair; +but it seems to me that England is making a sacrifice in not adopting +the metrical system. The question, however, cannot be put in that way. +We are not here to consider whether England would gain or lose by +adopting the metrical system. That is not the way to view this +question at all, because whether England should adopt the metrical +system is a matter for its own convenience and use, and whether it +adopts it or not, other nations are not affected by its course. It +would not at all be for the benefit or the reverse of other nations. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would be very glad to hear Sir WM. THOMSON'S +views on this subject if it were before the Conference for discussion, +but it is not. + +Sir WILLIAM THOMSON. I beg pardon for having mentioned it. + +I would repeat that the adoption of the meridian of Greenwich is one +of convenience. The difference of other meridians from it is readily +ascertained, and therefore it seems to me that the minimum of trouble +will be entailed on the world by the general adoption of the meridian +of Greenwich. This would require the minimum of change, and, +furthermore, the changes which would be necessary are already wholly +ascertained. + +I would inquire of the Chair whether it would be in order for me to +allude to the resolutions number 2 and 3, which have been read? + +The PRESIDENT. I think that we must confine ourselves to the subject +immediately under discussion--the adoption of a prime meridian. + +Sir WILLIAM THOMSON. Then I have only to thank you and the Delegates +for allowing me to speak, and to express my very strong approbation of +the resolution that has been proposed. + +Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain, then made the following +remarks: + +In view of the interesting information furnished to the Congress by M. +JANSSEN on the hydrographic labors of France, past and present, and of +the results as represented by the number of Government charts; it has +appeared to myself--as having held the office of hydrographer to the +Admiralty of Great Britain for many years--in which opinion I am +supported by my colleagues, that I should place at the disposal of the +Congress certain statistical facts bearing on the great interests of +navigation and commerce, as illustrated by the number of marine +charts, of sailing directions, and of nautical almanacs annually +produced under the authority of the British Government, and of their +distribution. + +I would wish to disclaim any comparison in this respect with the +labors of other countries. From personal knowledge I am aware that all +nations--with only one or two exceptions--are, and especially so in +the last few years, diligent in the development of hydrography, and +that a cordial interchange of the results unfettered by any conditions +is steadily being pursued. + +With this preface I would lay before you the following statements, +observing that the shores of the whole navigable parts of the globe +are embraced in the series of Admiralty charts referred to: + +The number of copper chart plates in constant use is between 2,850 and +2,900. This number keeps up steadily. About 60 new plates are added +every year. + +Average number of copper plates annually receiving correction amount +to 2,700. + +Total number of charts annually printed for the daily use of the ships +of Her Majesty's fleet in commission, and for sale to the general +public, has for some years ranged between 180,000 and 230,000. + +The sale of Admiralty charts to the public through an authorized +agent, both in London and at other commercial ports in the kingdom, +has been for the last seven years as follows: + + 1877................................104,562 + 1878................................109,881 + 1879................................103,943 + 1880................................114,430 + 1881................................118,542 + 1882................................131,801 + 1883................................157,325 + +Of these numbers, about one-fifth have been purchased by the +governments or agents of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, +Turkey, and the United States. The appended list, which was furnished +to me by the Admiralty Chart agent during the present year, gives the +more precise particulars. + ++-------+-------+------+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+ +| | |Ger- |United | | | | | | +|Years. |France.|many. |States.|Italy.|Russia.|Turkey.|Austria.|Total. | ++-------+-------+------+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+ +|1877 ..| 2,039 | 5,184| 2,067 | 1,518| 11,763| | | 22,561| +|1878 ..| 5,741 | 3,381| 2,641 | 2,645| 5,651| | 600 | 20,529| +|1879 ..| 3,340 | 6,425| 5,185 | 802| 9,354| | 641 | 25,747| +|1880 ..| 5,793 | 5,280| 1,879 | 797| 10,145| 519 | 376 | 24,788| +|1881 ..| 4,418 | 3,640| 1,273 | 2,694| 3,406| 1,160 | 996 | 17,587| +|1882 ..| 7,454 | 5,656| 1,716 | 2,569| 4,245| 115 | 1,197 | 22,952| +|1888 ..| 5,592 | 7,882| 6,174 | 2,607| 6,280| 2,368 | 2,158 | 32,961| +|1884 | | | | | | | | | +|(1st | | | | | | | | | +|quar.) | 1,367 | 2,261| 2,942 | 908| 2,186| 429 | 677 | 10,670| +| +-------+------+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+ +| |35,741 |39,679|23,867 |14,440| 52,930| 4,591 | 6,544 |177,795| ++-------+-------+------+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+ + +But the chart resources of the British Admiralty, great as they are, +do not suffice to meet the requirements of the smaller class ships of +the mercantile marine of Great Britain. There are three commercial +firms in London who publish special charts, based, however, on +admiralty documents, to satisfy this demand. On inquiry I found that +these firms publish 640 charts, which, from their large size, require +about 930 copper plates. I am not able to furnish the number of charts +sold by these firms, but it is large. + +Supplementary to the Admiralty Charts, there are 51 volumes of Sailing +Directions. Several of these volumes exceed 500 pages, and have passed +through several editions. Private commercial firms also, in addition +to their charts, publish directions for many parts of the globe. These +include regions with which the Admiralty have not yet, notwithstanding +great diligence, been able to deal. + +The annual sales of nautical almanacs for the past seven years have +been: + + 1877................................18,439 + 1878................................16,408 + 1879................................16,290 + 1880................................14,561 + 1881................................15,870 + 1882................................15,071 + 1883................................15,535 + +I think, sir, that these are salient points, which will assist the +Conference in coming to a clearer view of the great interest which +navigation and commerce have in the charts of a particular country. + +The question was then put on the adoption of the resolution offered by +the Delegate of the United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD, as follows: + + "That the Conference proposes to the Governments here + represented the adoption of the meridian passing through the + transit instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich as the + initial meridian for longitude." + +The roll was called, and the different States voted as follows: + +In the affirmative-- + + Austria, Mexico, + Chili, Netherlands, + Costa Rica, Paraguay, + Columbia, Russia, + Germany, Spain, + Great Britain, Sweden, + Guatemala, Switzerland, + Hawaii, Turkey, + Italy, Venezuela, + Japan, United States. + Liberia, + +In the negative-- + + San Domingo. + +Abstaining from voting-- + + Brazil, France. + +The result was then announced, as follows: + +Ayes, 21; noes, 1; abstaining from voting, 2. + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the resolution was passed. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia. In the name of the Delegates for +Russia I have now, at this point of the discussion, to say a few +words. + +If we had to consider the scientific side alone of the questions, +which have already been discussed and resolved by the prominent +scientists of the different countries at the General Conference of the +International Geodetical Association at Rome, in 1883, we might as +well simply adhere to the resolutions of the Roman Conference, and +limit our work to the shaping of these resolutions into the form of a +draft of an international convention, to be submitted for approbation +to our respective Governments. But, as we have, besides, to consider +the application of the intended reform to practical life, we beg to +submit the following suggestions to the kind attention of the +Conference. + +It is important to find for the more densely populated countries the +simplest mode possible of transition from local to universal time, and +_vice versa_; and we believe, therefore, that it would be convenient +for the practical purposes of the question to adopt for the beginning +of the universal day the midnight of Greenwich, and not the noon, as +was deemed advisable by the Conference of Rome. + +This modification would offer for the whole of Europe and for the +greatest part of America the advantage of avoiding the double date in +local and universal time during the principal business hours of the +day, and would afford great facilities in the transition from local +time to universal. + +In adopting the universal time for the astronomical almanacs and for +astronomical ephemerides, and in counting the beginning of the day +from the midnight of Greenwich, there would be, it is true, a +modification of the astronomical chronology, as heretofore used; but +we think it easier for the astronomers to change the starting point, +and to make allowance for these 12 hours of difference in their +calculations, than it would be for the public and for the business +men, if the date for the universal time began at noon, and not at +midnight. + +The Conference at Rome proposes to count the longitudes from O deg. to +360 deg. in the direction from west to east. It seems to us that this +system can lead to misunderstanding in the local and universal +chronology for the countries beyond the 180 deg. east of Greenwich. + +We believe that a more practical result of the reform could be easily +obtained by modifying the clause IV of the resolutions of the Roman +Conference, and by maintaining the system already in use for a long +time, which is to count the longitudes from 0 deg. to 180 deg. to east and +west, adopting the sign + for eastern longitudes, and the sign - for +western longitudes Thus the transition from universal to local time +could be exactly expressed by the formula: + +Universal time = Local time - Longitude. + +The adoption of this modification would necessitate that the change of +the day of the week, historically established on or about the +anti-meridian of Greenwich, should henceforth take place exactly on +that meridian. + +We are in favor of the adoption of the universal time (clause V of the +resolutions of the Roman Conference) side by side with the local time, +for international telegraphic correspondence, and for through +international lines by railroads and steamers. + +We fully accept the resolution of the Roman Conference concerning the +introduction of the system of counting the hours of the universal day +from 0 to 24; and we think it desirable that the same system should be +introduced for counting the hours in ordinary life. This would greatly +contribute to the disappearance of the arbitrary division of the day +into two parts, a. m. and p. m., and to an easier transition from +local to universal time. + +We think it advisable to mark on all general maps the meridians in +time as well as in degrees of longitude, which would render the reform +familiar to the public, and facilitate its introduction in the +education of the young. + +On maritime charts the longitudes ought to be given in degrees, as +these are necessary for the determination of distances in maritime +miles. + +The topographical maps may maintain temporarily their national +meridian, in consequence of the difficulties of the modification of +the co-ordinates for plates already engraved; but it would be +necessary to mark on every sheet the difference between the national +and the initial universal meridian in degrees of longitude. + +It would be most desirable to have in all new geographical catalogues +of astronomical and geodetical points the longitudes given in degrees +as well as in time, and that in these new catalogues the new initial +meridian be taken as the starting point for the longitudes. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair has listened with great interest and pleasure +to the paper which has just been read by the Delegate of Russia, Mr. +DE STRUVE, but the Chair begs to state that there is no resolution +before the Conference. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair will now direct the second resolution to be +read. + +The resolution was read, as follows: + + "From this meridian" (_i.e._, the meridian passing through + the centre of the transit instrument at the Observatory at + Greenwich) "longitude shall be counted in two directions up + to 180 degrees, east longitude being plus and west longitude + minus." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, In +submitting this resolution to the Conference, I wish to say that the +remarks of the Delegate of Russia have increased my confidence in the +belief of its propriety. + +Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, the +establishment of a prime meridian has, from the force of +circumstances, become of practical importance to certain interests +entrusted with vast responsibilities for the safety of life and +property. These interests bear an important relation to the commerce +of the world, and especially to the internal commerce of an extent of +country embracing within its limits about sixty-five degrees of +longitude. Exactness of time reckoning is an imperative necessity in +the conduct of business. + +On November 18, 1883, the several railway companies of the United +States and the Dominion of Canada united in the adoption of the mean +local times of the seventy-fifth, ninetieth, one hundred and fifth, +and one hundred and twentieth meridians, west from Greenwich, as the +standards of time for the operation of their roads. The system under +which they have since been working has proved satisfactory. They have +no desire to make any further change. A large majority of the people +in the several sections of the country through which the railways pass +have either by mutual consent or special legislation adopted for their +local use, for all purposes, the standards of time employed by the +adjacent roads. Upon the public and working railway time-tables +generally the fact has been published that the trains are run by the +time of the seventy-fifth or ninetieth, etc., meridians, as the case +may be. + +The same standards are used by the Railway Mail Service of the United +States Post-office Department, which had previously used Washington +time exclusively for through schedules. + +It will at once be apparent how undesirable any action would be to the +transportation interests of this country, which should so locate the +prime meridian as to require these time-standard meridians to be +designated by other than exact degrees of longitude. That these +standard meridians should continue to be designated as even multiples +of fifteen degrees from Greenwich is regarded as decidedly preferable. +To change to different standards, based upon exact degrees of some +other prime meridian, would require an amount of legislation very +difficult to obtain. + +At a convention of the managers of many important railway lines which +control through their connections fully three-fourths of the entire +railway system of this country, held in Philadelphia on October 9, +1884, certain action was taken, of which I have the honor to present a +duly attested copy. + + "At a meeting of the _General Railway Time Convention_, held + in _Philadelphia, October 9th, 1884_, the following minute + was unanimously adopted: + + "_Whereas_, An International Conference is now in session at + Washington, D. C., for the purpose of fixing upon a prime + meridian and standard of time-reckoning; and + + "_Whereas_, The railway companies of the United States and + Canada have adopted a system of time standards based, + respectively, upon the mean local times of the 75th, 90th, + 105th, and 120th meridians west from Greenwich, and this + system has proved so satisfactory in its working as to + render any further change inexpedient and unnecessary; + therefore + + "_Resolved_, That it is the opinion of this Convention that + the selection of any prime meridian which would change the + denomination of these governing meridians from even degrees + and make them fractional in their character would be + disturbing in no small measure to the transportation lines + of the United States and Canada. + + "_Resolved_, That a duly attested copy of these resolution + be presented to the Conference." + + P. P. WRIGHT, + _Chairman._ + + Attest: HENRY B. STONE, + _Secretary pro tempore_. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. Mr. President, I propose as an +amendment to the resolution just offered the fourth resolution adopted +by the Congress at Rome: + + "It is proper to count longitude from the meridian of + Greenwich in one direction from west to east." + +Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Delegate of Germany. Mr. President, I beg to +state that I think that this is only a question of detail; and, if the +question is put to the Conference, I shall not be able to vote, and I +shall abstain from voting. + +The PRESIDENT. May I ask the Delegate from Germany whether his remark +applies to the amendment? + +Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Delegate of Germany. Yes, sir; to the +amendment, and to the resolution, also. + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of England. Mr. President, I must say that I am +very much inclined to agree with the Delegate of Germany in the +opinion that this is only a question of detail. + +It is a mere matter of convenience whether we count longitudes in one +direction only, or in two opposite directions, considering longitudes +measured in one direction as positive and in the opposite direction as +negative. These two methods are nominally different from each other, +but in reality there is no contradiction between them. + +In the mathematical reckoning of angles we may agree to begin at zero, +and reckon in one direction round the entire circumference of 360 +degrees, but this does not prevent a mathematician, if he finds it +convenient for any purpose, from reckoning angles as positive when +measured in one direction, and negative when measured in the opposite +direction. + +If angles be considered positive when reckoned towards the east, it is +quite consistent with this usage that they should be considered +negative when reckoned towards the west. + +It is much more convenient to consider all angles as positive in +astronomical tables, but for other purposes it may be more convenient +to employ negative angles also, especially when, by so doing, you +avoid the use of large numbers. + +In comparatively small countries, like Great Britain for instance, it +is more convenient when giving the longitude of a place in the west of +England to consider it as being a few degrees west of Greenwich, +rather than 350 and some degrees to the east of that meridian. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, while +I think the question of reckoning longitude is a matter of detail, I +think it devolves upon us to decide it one way or the other. +Navigators are more interested in the question than mathematicians, +and the longitudes must be engraved upon our hydrographic charts. + +Now, as the learned Delegate of Great Britain, Prof. ADAMS, who has +just spoken, has stated, the principle involved is the same, whether +we reckon east or west, or reckon continuously in the same direction. +It seems to me, however, that when we come to consider the reckoning +of longitude in connection with the adoption of a universal day, we +should then make a decided choice in favor of counting longitude from +zero to 360 degrees. If we adopt the resolution which my friend, the +Delegate of the United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD, has offered, it will be +in perfect conformity with the habits of the world. For that reason, +and it is a very strong reason, I think it might be adopted; but a +little consideration will show that if we reckon the longitude from +zero to 360 degrees, east to west, then we will change the existing +practice of reckoning longitude; but, of course, only in one +hemisphere, and that will be eastward of the prime meridian; but, as +we shall all remember, to the eastward of the prime meridian we have +the main portions of the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, and +in all the navigable water lying in the other hemisphere the longitude +will continue to be reckoned as now. To navigators of the water lying +to the eastward of the prime meridian there will be a change in the +method of counting longitude both ways, it would be necessary to adopt +two different rules for converting local into universal time. + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Oh! no; by no means. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States. For although one +rule would answer, by having regard to the algebraical sign affecting +the longitude, it must be remembered that this rule is to be applied +by many who are not accustomed to distinguishing east and west +longitudes by a difference of sign, and who would therefore require +one rule when the longitude is east and another when it is west. If, +however, we adopt the method of reckoning from zero to 360 degrees, +from east to west, the relation existing between the local and the +universal time becomes the simplest possible. To obtain the universal +date and hour, under these circumstances, it only becomes necessary to +add the longitude to the local time, understanding by local time the +local date as well as the local hour. I think, for this reason, it +will be preferable to reckon the longitude in one direction from east +to west, instead of west to east. + +Sir FREDERICK EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain. I would like to +present a few words on behalf of seamen. There is clearly an important +change proposed by the amendment. In the resolution before us it is +simply a question of the reckoning of longitude as now employed by +seamen of all nations, and I think it would be well to keep that fact +separate from the reckoning of time. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair begs to state that the discussion is now upon +the amendment of the Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT, to adopt +the fourth resolution of the Congress at Rome. + +Sir FREDERICK EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain. Then I consider that, +in the interest of seamen, it would be very undesirable to accept the +amendment. We must recollect that an immense deal of the world's +traffic is carried around the world entirely by sea, and that this +proposed dislocation of the methods of seamen by reckoning longitude +in one direction only would, to say the least, be extremely +inconvenient, and it would require considerable time for them to get +into the habit of doing so. I think, however, that as to the question +of time, there would be no difference of opinion; doubtless, it is the +easier method; but, as we have to look at the practical side of this +calculation of longitude, I must certainly disagree with the amendment +and vote for the original resolution. + +Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, Delegate of Spain, then presented the following +amendment: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes to the Governments + here represented that longitude shall be counted from the + prime meridian westward, in the direction opposite to the + terrestrial rotation, and reckoned from zero degrees to 360 + degrees, and from zero hours to 24 hours." + +The PRESIDENT. The question before the Conference now is the amendment +of the Delegate of Sweden. If the Delegate of Spain desires to offer +his resolution as an amendment to the amendment already offered, the +Chair will place it before the Conference. + +Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, Delegate of Spain. I am in accord with the views +expressed by our colleague, Commander SAMPSON, and I propose the +resolution which I have just presented. + +Mr. VALERA, the Delegate of Spain. I believe the amendment proposed by +my colleague, Mr. PASTORIN, Delegate of Spain, does not apply to the +amendment of the Delegate of Sweden, but to the original resolution. +In order to avoid all ambiguity it would be much better to discuss +them one after the other. Therefore let us decide the question whether +it is better to count up to 180 deg. in each direction or up to 360 deg. +continuously. Then we can go on to something else. + +The PRESIDENT. In order to meet the views expressed by Mr. VALERA, the +Delegate of Spain, Mr. PASTORIN will withdraw his amendment, and the +Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT, will propose the substance of +his original resolution so modified in form that its details may be +considered separately. + +Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, Delegate of Spain. In conformity with the statement +of the President, I now withdraw my amendment. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. I beg to offer the following +propositions in the form of amendments to the original resolution +offered by the Delegate of the United States; these may be discussed +in succession: + + "1. That from this prime meridian (the Greenwich meridian) + longitude shall be counted in one direction." + + "2. That such longitude shall be counted from west to east." + Or, in place of No. 2-- + + "3. That such longitude shall be counted from east to west." + +The PRESIDENT. The Delegates from Sweden and Spain have agreed as to +the first part of the resolution, that longitude shall be counted in +one direction--that is, from zero to 360 degrees. The question before +the Conference is now upon the first clause of the resolution, and the +other two will be subsequently discussed. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. I think it is impossible +to proceed to a vote upon these propositions without bearing in mind +what is to be decided as to the universal day. That day, as it appears +to me, will have to be determined with reference to the initial +meridian in such manner as to prevent, as far as possible, +inconvenience from discontinuity of local time and date in passing +around the world. + +No matter how longitude is calculated, you must necessarily arrive at +discontinuity at some point in passing around the great circle of the +earth. It seems to me that the most convenient way of counting both +longitude and time is that the discontinuity in both shall take place +on the same point on the earth. Now, certainly, as was observed at +Rome, it will be far less inconvenient if the discontinuity of date +takes place on the meridian of 180 degrees from Greenwich. Then the +reckoning of local time all around the world, going from west to east +in the direction of the earth's rotation, will be continuous. + +In any other way, as far as I can see, there will be a discontinuity +at some point on the inhabited part of the earth. If the +discontinuity were to take place on the meridian of Greenwich, as has +been proposed by the Conference at Rome, the dates will change there +during the daytime. That, as it appears to me, will be extremely +inconvenient. + +In order to harmonize what I have called the discontinuity of date +with the discontinuity in the reckoning of longitude, it appears to me +that it will be best to reckon the longitude in both directions. There +will be no discontinuity then except on the 180th meridian. It would +be very inconvenient for a great part of the civilized world if the +resolution which has been offered should be adopted, if, as I presume +it would do, it caused discontinuity both in longitude and local time +in Europe. + +After all, what are we here to endeavor to do? Notwithstanding what +has been said in the other direction, for my part I must say that the +great object before us is to secure the greatest convenience of the +whole civilized world, and it seems to me that we should try to obtain +it. + +If there is no very strong reason for altering the existing system of +counting longitudes, it appears to me that this is a very excellent +reason in favor of maintaining it. I do not see myself that, for any +practical purpose, anything would be gained by reckoning longitude +from zero to 360 degrees. There may be some special scientific +purposes for which it may be convenient, but the object which this +resolution is intended to meet is of another character. + +What we want is longitude for ordinary purposes, and on that hangs the +reckoning of universal time, which, of course, should be for the +general use of the whole world. + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I doubt +whether I should trouble the Conference in reference to this point. I +think, however, that it is a matter of little importance whether we +consider longitude as positive, when reckoned toward the east, and +negative, when reckoned to the west, or go on in one direction from +zero to 360 degrees; it amounts, mathematically speaking, to the same +thing. We never can consider mathematical lines or angles as positive +in one direction, without implying that in the opposite direction +they are negative. One of these is merely the complement of the other. + +For myself, I would say that there is no use in the Conference +resolving that we should count longitude only in the eastwardly +direction. The Conference may say that if longitude is reckoned +towards the east, it shall be considered positive, and, if reckoned +towards the west, negative; and that is all we should say. I do not +think it is within the competence of the Conference to say that +mathematicians shall reckon longitude only in one direction. Whether +you choose to reckon right through to 360 degrees or not is a matter +of detail, and of no importance in a scientific point of view. You can +adopt one style or the other, according to which is found the more +convenient in practice. + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. I would suggest that +this matter of detail can very well be discussed and arranged by a +committee, otherwise, it may take up the whole time of the Conference. +I move, therefore, that a committee be appointed to take up this +matter and report upon it at the next meeting. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair desires only to carry out the wish of the +Conference, but it does not see clearly what we should gain by a +committee. Still, if it be the desire of the Conference to order a +committee, then the question will arise as to the organization of that +committee, and the Chair would feel some hesitation in appointing it. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, if this +was a new question, in regard to which we had heard no discussion, it +would be eminently proper that we should put it into the hands of a +committee to formalize and thereby to shorten our deliberations; but +it seems to me that the appointment of a committee now would not help +us at all. When the report of that committee came in, we should have +to proceed exactly as we do now. + +There are only three questions before the Conference, and they come +within very narrow limits. First, shall we count longitude both ways? +Second, shall we count it all around the 360 degrees? Third, if so, in +which direction is the counting to take place? + +These are the only three questions, and, after all, they are questions +of convenience. We are just as capable of voting upon these +propositions now as we should be after the appointment of a committee. + +Baron VON SCHAEFFER, Delegate of Austria-Hungary. Mr. President, I move +that we adjourn until to-morrow at one o'clock P.M. + +The question upon the motion to adjourn was then put and adopted, and +the Conference accordingly adjourned at 3.45 P.M. until Tuesday, the +14th inst., at one o'clock P.M. + + + + +V. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 14, 1884. + + +The Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, in the Diplomatic Hall of +the Department of State, at one o'clock p. m. + +Present: + + Austro-Hungary: Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Chili: Mr. F. V. GORMAS and Mr. S. R. FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. O. ADAMS, + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Guatemala: Mr. MILES ROCK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER, Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Liberia: Mr. Wm. COPPINGER. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, Mr. ANGEL ANGUIANO. + Netherlands: Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, Mr. + KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. DE J. GALVAN. + Salvador: Mr. ATONIO BATRES. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Mr. + JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Switzerland: Mr. EMILE FREY. + Turkey: RUSTEM EFFENDI. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFURD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, Professor CLEVELAND ABBE. + Venezuela: Senor Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + +Absent: + + Denmark: Mr. C. S. A. DE BILLE. + +The PRESIDENT: + +The Chair begs leave to announce that, in the regular order of +business, the first matter before the Conference to-day would have +been the proposition of the Delegate of Great Britain, Mr. SANDFORD +FLEMING, that a committee be appointed to consider a report upon the +resolution offered by him yesterday. The Chair understood, however, +from Mr. FLEMING this morning that he had no desire to press that +proposition, and, therefore, it may be considered as withdrawn. + +The question then would be upon the amendment offered by the Delegate +of Spain, Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, and if that amendment be withdrawn upon +the amendment offered by the Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT. The +Chair understands that both of those gentlemen desire to withdraw +their propositions temporarily, and, in that event, the first action +to be taken will be upon the resolution offered by the Delegate of the +United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD. + +Mr. RUSTEM EFFENDI, Delegate of Turkey. In voting yesterday in favor +of the resolutions proposed by the Hon. Delegate of the United States, +I wish to have it well understood that my vote does not bind my +Government. I am, indeed, obliged to vote against any proposition +which would tend to bind it in any way, for I desire to leave it free +to act in the matter. + +I engage to submit to my Government the result of our deliberations +and to recommend their adoption, but that is all. In other words, I +have only voted "_ad referendum_," and I ask that my statement be +entered in the protocol. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would inform the Delegate who has just +spoken that the same statement was made by several delegates at a +former meeting of the Conference. + +M. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. I believe that the very correct +doctrine just enunciated by the Delegate of Turkey, Mr. RUSTEM +EFFENDI, is the one adopted by all the members of the Congress, and +that we have all voted "_ad referendum_." + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair so understood the general sense of the +Conference as expressed at one of our former meetings, when many of +the delegates made the same declaration. + +Mr. ANTONIO BATRES, Delegate of Salvador. Mr. President, I could not +be present yesterday, on account of illness, and I now request +permission to register my name in favor of the resolution adopting the +meridian of Greenwich as the prime meridian. + +The PRESIDENT. The Delegate of Salvador, Mr. BATRES, informs the Chair +that he was not able to be present yesterday, on account of illness, +and he desires that his name may be recorded as voting for the +meridian of Greenwich. If there be no objection to the request of the +Delegate to Salvador, his vote will be so entered. + +No objection being made, the President instructed the Secretary to +make the proper entry in the protocol. + +The PRESIDENT. The Delegate of Spain, Mr. PASTORIN, has withdrawn his +amendment, and the Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT, has also +withdrawn the amendment which he offered to the resolution of the +Delegate of the United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD. The resolution +originally offered will now be read. + +The Secretary then read the resolution, as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That from this meridian [_i.e._, the meridian + of Greenwich] longitude shall be counted in two directions + up to 180 degrees, east longitude being plus, and west + longitude minus." + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain, representing the +Dominion of Canada. I wish to offer some observations on the +resolution before the Conference, but I am unable to separate the +particular question from the general question. To my mind, longitude +and time are so related that they are practically inseparable, and +when I consider longitude, my thoughts naturally revert to time, by +which it is measured. I trust, therefore, I may be permitted to extend +my remarks somewhat beyond the immediate scope of the resolution. I +agree with those who think that longitude should be reckoned in one +direction only, and I am disposed to favor a mode of notation +differing in other respects from that commonly followed. + +If a system of universal time be brought into use, advantages would +result from having the system of time and the system of terrestrial +longitude in complete harmony. The passage of time is continuous, and, +therefore, I think longitude should be reckoned continuously. To +convey my meaning fully, however, it is necessary that I should enter +into explanations at some length. + +Ten days back I ventured informally to place my views, with a series +of recommendations on this subject, before the delegates. I hope I may +now be permitted to submit them to the Conference. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would inquire of the Conference whether the +recommendations and remarks which were sent in print to the Delegates +a few days ago by Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, the Delegate of Great Britain, +may be entered upon the protocol as presented to-day. Each member was, +it is understood, furnished with a copy of these papers. + +Mr. TUPPER, Delegate of Chili. The Delegates of Chili have not +received them. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair will take care that they are sent. + +No objection was made to the request of the Delegate of Great Britain, +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, who continued as follows: + +The adoption of a Prime Meridian, common to all nations, admits of the +establishment of a system of reckoning time equally satisfactory to +our reason and our necessities. + +At present we are without such a system. The mode of notation followed +by common usage from time immemorial, whatever its applicability to +limited areas, when extended to a vast continent, with a net-work of +lines of railway and telegraph, has led to confusion and created many +difficulties. Further, it is insufficient for the purposes of +scientific investigation, so marked a feature of modern inquiry. + +Taking the globe as a whole, it is not now possible precisely to +define when a year or a month or a week begins. There is no such +interval of time as the commonly defined day everywhere and +invariable. By our accepted definition, a day is local; it is limited +to a single meridian. At some point on the earth's surface one day is +always at its commencement and another always ending. Thus, while the +earth makes one diurnal revolution, we have continually many days in +different stages of progress on our planet. + +Necessarily the hours and minutes partake of this normal irregularity. +Clocks, the most perfect in mechanism, disagree if they differ in +longitude. Indeed, if clocks are set to true time, as it is now +designated, they must, at least in theory, vary not only in the same +State or county, but to some extent in the same city. + +As we contemplate the general advance in knowledge, we cannot but feel +surprised that these ambiguities and anomalies should be found, +especially as they have been so long known and felt. In the early +conditions of the human race, when existence was free from the +complications which civilization has led to; in the days when tribes +followed pastoral pursuits and each community was isolated from +the other; when commerce was confined to few cities, and +intercommunication between distant countries rare and difficult; in +those days there was no requirement for a common system of uniform +time. No inconvenience was felt in each locality having its own +separate and distinct reckoning. But the conditions under which we +live are no longer the same. The application of science to the means +of locomotion and to the instantaneous transmission of thought and +speech have gradually contracted space and annihilated distance. The +whole world is drawn into immediate neighborhood and near +relationship, and we have now become sensible to inconveniences and to +many disturbing influences in our reckoning of time utterly unknown +and even unthought of a few generations back. It is also quite +manifest that, as civilization advances, such evils must greatly +increase rather than be lessened, and that the true remedy lies in +changing our traditional usages in respect to the notation of days and +hours, whatever shock it may give to old customs and the prejudices +engendered by them. + +In countries of limited extent, the difficulty is easily grappled +with. By general understanding, an arrangement affecting the +particular community may be observed, and the false principles which +have led to the differences and disagreements can be set aside. In +Great Britain the time of the Observatory at Greenwich is adopted for +general use. But this involves a departure from the principles by +which time is locally determined, and hence, if these principles be +not wrong, every clock in the United Kingdom, except those on a line +due north and south from Greenwich, must of necessity be in error. + +On the continent of North America efforts have recently been made to +adjust the difficulty. The steps taken have been in a high degree +successful in providing a remedy for the disturbing influences +referred to, and, at the same time, they are in harmony with +principles, the soundness of which is indisputable. + +When we examine into time in the abstract, the conviction is forced +upon us that it bears no resemblance to any sort of matter which comes +before our senses; it is immaterial, without form, without substance, +without spiritual essence. It is neither solid, liquid, nor gaseous. +Yet it is capable of measurement with the closest precision. +Nevertheless, it may be doubted if anything measurable could be +computed on principles more erroneous than those which now prevail +with regard to it. + +What course do we follow in reckoning time? Our system implies that +there are innumerable conceptions designated "time." We speak of +solar, astronomical, nautical, and civil time, of apparent and mean +time. Moreover, we assign to every individual point around the +surface of the earth separate and distinct times in equal variety. The +usages inherited by us imply that there is an infinite number of +times. Is not all this inconsistent with reason, and at variance with +the cardinal truth, that there is one time only? + +Time may be compared to a great stream forever flowing onward. To us, +nature, in its widest amplitude, is a unity. We have but one earth, +but one universe, whatever its myriad component parts. That there is +also but one flow of time is consistent with the plain dictates of our +understanding. That there can be more than one passage of time is +inconceivable. + +From every consideration, it is evident that the day has arrived when +our method of time-reckoning should be reformed. The conditions of +modern civilization demand that a comprehensive system should be +established, embodying the principle that time is one abstract +conception, and that all definite portions of it should be based on, +or be related to, one unit measure. + +On these grounds I feel justified in respectfully asking the +consideration of the Conference to the series of recommendations which +I venture to submit. + +The matter is undoubtedly one in which every civilized nation is +interested. Indeed, it may be said that, more or less, every human +being is concerned in it. The problem is of universal importance, and +its solution can alone be found in the general adoption of a system +grounded on principles recognized as incontrovertible. + +Such principles are embodied in the recommendations which I am +permitted to place before the Conference. They involve, as an +essential requirement, the determination of a unit of measurement, and +it is obvious that such a unit must have its origin in the motion of +the heavenly bodies. No motion is more uniform than the motion of the +earth on its axis. This diurnal revolution admits of the most delicate +measurement, and, in all respects, is the most available for a unit +measure. It furnishes a division of time definite and precise, and one +which, without difficulty, can be made plain and manifest. + +A revolution of the earth, denoted by the mean solar passage at the +Prime or Anti-prime Meridian, will be recognizable by the whole world +as a period of time common to all. By general agreement this period +may be regarded as the common unit by which time may be everywhere +measured for every purpose in science, in commerce, and in every-day +life. + +The scheme set forth in the recommendations has in view three +principal objects, viz: + +1. To define and establish an universal day for securing chronological +accuracy in dates common to the whole world. + +2. To obtain a system of universal time on a basis acceptable to all +nations, by which, everywhere, at the same time, the same instant may +be observed. + +3. To establish a sound and rational system of reckoning time which +may eventually be adopted for civil purposes everywhere, and thus +secure uniformity and accuracy throughout the globe. + +But, in the inauguration of a scheme affecting so many individuals, it +is desirable not to interfere with prevailing customs more than +necessary. Such influences as arise from habit are powerful and cannot +be ignored. The fact must be recognized that it will be difficult to +change immediately the usages to which the mass of men have been +accustomed. In daily life we are in the habit of eating, sleeping, and +following the routine of our existence at certain periods of the day. +We are familiar with the numbers of the hours by which these periods +are known, and, doubtless, there will be many who will see little +reason in any attempt to alter their nomenclature, especially those +who take little note of cause and effect, and who, with difficulty, +understand the necessity of a remedy to some marked irregularity +which, however generally objectionable, does not bear heavily upon +them individually. + +For the present, therefore, we must adapt a new system, as best we are +able, to the habits of men and women as we find them. Provision for +such adaptation is made in the recommendations by which, while local +reckoning would be based on the principles laid down, the hours and +their numbers need not appreciably vary from those with which we are +familiar. Thus, time-reckoning in all ordinary affairs in every +locality may be made to harmonize with the general system. + +Standard time throughout the United States and Canada has been +established in accord with this principle. Its adoption has proved the +advantages which may be attained generally by the same means. On all +sides these advantages have been widely appreciated, and no change +intimately bearing upon common life was ever so unanimously accepted. +Certainly, it is an important step towards the establishment of one +system of universal time, or, as it is designated in the +recommendations, Cosmic time. + +The alacrity and unanimity with which the change has been accepted in +North America encourages the belief that the introduction of cosmic +time in every-day life is not unattainable. The intelligence of the +people will not fail to discover, before long, that the adoption of +correct principles of time-reckoning will in no way change or +seriously affect the habits they have been accustomed to. It will +certainly sweep away nothing valuable to them. The sun will rise and +set to regulate their social affairs. All classes will soon learn to +understand the hour of noon, whatever the number on the dial, whether +six, as in Scriptural times, or twelve, or eighteen, or any other +number. People will get up and retire to bed, begin and end work, take +breakfast and dinner at the same periods of the day as at present, and +our social habits and customs will remain without a change, depending, +as now, on the daily returning phenomena of light and darkness. + +The one alteration will be in the notation of the hours, so as to +secure uniformity in every longitude. It is to be expected that this +change will at first create some bewilderment, and that it will be +somewhat difficult to be understood by the masses. The causes for such +a change to many will appear insufficient or fanciful. In a few years, +however, this feeling must pass away, and the advantages to be gained +will become so manifest that I do not doubt so desirable a reform will +eventually commend itself to general favor, and be adopted in all the +affairs of life. + +Be that as it may, it seems to me highly important that a +comprehensive time system should be initiated to facilitate scientific +observations, and definitely to establish chronological dates; that it +should be designed for general use in connection with railways and +telegraphs, and for such other purposes for which it may be found +convenient. + +The Cosmic day set forth in the recommendations would be the date for +the world recognizable by all nations. It would theoretically and +practically be the mean of all local days, and the common standard to +which all local reckoning would be referable. + +With regard to the reckoning of longitude, I submit that longitude and +time are so intimately related that they may be expressed by a common +notation. Longitude is simply the angle formed by two planes passing +through the earth's axis, while time is the period occupied by the +earth in rotating through that angle. If we adopt the system of +measuring time by the revolution of the earth from a recognized zero, +one of these planes--that through the zero--may be considered fixed; +the other--that through the meridian of the place--being movable, the +longitudinal angle is variable. Obviously the variable angle ought to +be measured from the fixed plane as zero, and as the motion of the +earth by which the equivalent time of the angle is measured is +continuous, the longitude ought to be reckoned continuously in one +direction. The direction is determined by the notation of the hour +meridians, viz., from east to west. + +If longitude be so reckoned and denoted by the terms used in the +notation of cosmic time, the time of day everywhere throughout the +globe would invariably denote the precise longitude of the place +directly under the mean sun. Conversely, at the epoch of mean solar +passage at any place, the longitude being known, cosmic time would be +one and the same with the longitude of the place. + +The advantages of such a system of reckoning and nomenclature, as +suggested in the recommendations which I now submit, will be, I think, +self-evident. + + RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF TIME AND THE RECKONING + OF LONGITUDE + + 1. _That a system of universal time be established, with the + view of facilitating synchronous scientific observations, + for chronological reckonings, for the purpose of trade and + commerce by sea and land, and for all such uses to which it + is applicable._ + + 2. _That the system be established for the common observance + of all peoples, and of such a character that it may be + adopted by each separate community, as may be found + expedient._ + + 3. _That the system be based on the principle that for all + terrestrial time reckonings there be one recognized unit of + measurement only, and that all measured intervals of time be + directly related to the one unit measure._ + + 4. _That the unit measure be the period occupied by the + diurnal revolution of the earth, defined by the mean solar + passage at the meridian twelve hours from the Prime Meridian + established through Greenwich._ + + 5. _That the unit measure defined as above be held to be a + day absolute, and designated a Cosmic Day._ + + 6. _That such Cosmic Day be held as the chronological date + of the earth, changing with the mean solar passage at the + anti-meridian of Greenwich._ + + 7. _That all divisions and multiples of the Cosmic Day be + known as Cosmic Time._ + + 8. _That the Cosmic Day be divided into hours, numbered in a + single series, one to twenty-four, (1 to 24,) and that the + hours be subdivided, as ordinary hours, into minutes and + seconds. Note.--As an alternative means of distinguishing + the cosmic hours from the hours in local reckonings, they + may be denoted by the letters of the alphabet, which, + omitting I and V, are twenty-four in number._ + + 9. _That until Cosmic Time be admitted as the recognized + means of reckoning in the ordinary affairs of life, it is + advisable to assimilate the system to present usages and to + provide for the easy translation of local reckonings into + Cosmic Time, and vice versa; that, therefore, in theory, and + as closely as possible in practice, local reckonings be + based on a known interval in advance or behind Cosmic Time._ + + 10. _That the surface of the globe be divided by twenty-four + equidistant hour meridians, corresponding with the hours of + the Cosmic Day._ + + 11. _That, as far as practicable, the several hour meridians + be taken according to the longitude of the locality, to + regulate local reckonings, in a manner similar to the + system in use throughout North America._ + + 12. _That, in all cases where an hour meridian is adopted as + the standard for regulating local reckonings, in a + particular section or district, the civil day shall be held + to commence twelve hours before and end twelve hours after + the mean solar passage of such hour meridian._ + + 13. _That the civil day, based on the Prime Meridian of + Greenwich, shall coincide and be one with the Cosmic Day. + That civil days on meridians east of Greenwich shall be + (according to the longitude) a known number of hours, or + hours and minutes in advance of Cosmic Time, and to the west + of Greenwich the contrary._ + + 14. _That the surface of the globe being divided by + twenty-four equidistant meridians (fifteen degrees apart) + corresponding with the hours of the Cosmic Day, it is + advisable that longitude be reckoned according to these hour + meridians._ + + 15. _That divisions of longitude less than an hour (fifteen + degrees) be reckoned in minutes and seconds and parts of + seconds._ + + 16. _That longitude be reckoned continuously towards the + west, beginning with zero at the Anti-prime meridian, twelve + hours from Greenwich._ + + 17. _That longitude, generally, be denoted by the same terms + as those applied to Cosmic Time._ + +I submit these recommendations suggestively, and without any desire +unduly to press them. I shall be content if the leading principles +laid down be recognized by the Conference. + +With regard to the more immediate question, I have come to the firm +conviction that extreme simplicity of reckoning and corresponding +benefits would result if longitude be notated in the same manner, and +denoted by the same terms as universal time. If, therefore, the +Conference adopts the motion of the distinguished Delegate of the +United States, which, I apprehend, is designed to cause as little +change as possible in the practices of sea-faring men, I trust the +claims of other important interests will not be overlooked. I refer to +all those interests, so deeply concerned in securing accurate time on +land, and in having easy means provided for translating any one local +reckoning into any other local reckoning, or into the standard +universal time. In this view I trust the Conference will give some +expression of opinion in favor of extending around the globe the +system of hour meridians which has proved so advantageous in North +America. In an educational aspect alone it seems to me important that +the hour meridians, one to twenty-four, numbered from the anti-prime +meridian continuously toward the west, should be conspicuously marked +on our maps and charts. + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. I wish, Mr. President, to +express my entire adhesion to the proposition which has been made by +the Delegate of the United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD. It seems to me to +satisfy one of the principal conditions that we have had before us to +guide our decision; that is, that we should pursue a course which will +produce the least possible inconvenience. + +Now, I think if we keep that in mind, we shall have very little +difficulty in coming to the conclusion that we should reckon longitude +eastward, as positive or plus, and westward as negative or minus. This +mode of reckoning would be attended with the least inconvenience; in +fact, it will not be attended with any inconvenience at all, because +it will keep to the present mode of reckoning. For my part, I see no +adequate reason for changing that. There is no scientific reason, and +certainly there is no practical reason. There is no scientific reason, +because, as I stated yesterday, if in mathematics you measure from the +zero a distance in one direction and consider that positive, you must, +by the very nature of the case, consider the distance measured in the +opposite direction from the same zero as negative. One follows +mathematically and necessarily from the other, and by adopting this +resolution you thus include both in one general formula. + +It seems to me quite as scientific, to say the least, to start from +zero and go in both directions, distinguishing the longitudes by the +signs plus and minus, according as the directions are taken east or +west, as to reckon longitudes in one direction only from zero to 360 +degrees. It is, I say, just as scientific to do this, and practically +it is more convenient. Because if you go on reckoning from zero to +360 degrees continuously, you have to make a break at 360 degrees. You +do not count on after you have completed one revolution, but have to +drop the 360 degrees and start again at zero. But this is attended +with great inconvenience, because this break in counting occurs in +countries which are thickly inhabited. The longitude would be a little +less than 360 degrees on one side of the prime meridian, and on the +other side the longitude would be a small angle. This seems to me very +inconvenient. + +On the other hand, if you count longitudes in one direction from zero +to 180 degrees as positive, and in the opposite direction from zero to +180 degrees as negative, you are, no doubt, obliged to make a break in +passing abruptly from plus 180 degrees to minus 180 degrees. But the +break would then occur where it would cause the least inconvenience, +viz., in mid-ocean, where there is very little land and very few +inhabitants, and where we are accustomed to make the break now. This +will require no change in the habits and customs of the people, and no +inconvenience whatever would be caused by the action of the Conference +if it decides on this method, which also has the minor advantage of +not requiring the use of such large numbers as the other. But to adopt +the reckoning of longitude from zero to 360 degrees would involve a +very considerable change, and I think it may be doubted whether it +would be generally accepted. Under the circumstances, I think the +resolution contains the most expedient course for us to adopt. I do +not object to anybody who chooses to do so reckoning on, for certain +purposes, from zero to 360 degrees, but I do not think it would be +well to make it compulsory. + +With regard to the proposal of the Delegate of Great Britain, Mr. +FLEMING, I would say that it would be attended with great +inconvenience, because it departs from the usages and habits now +existing. That, to my mind, is a very great and insuperable objection, +and I do not see any countervailing advantage. + +With regard to the subject of time that Mr. Fleming is anxious to take +into consideration, I think that nothing can be simpler, if I may be +allowed to deal with the question of time, than the relation between +time and longitude which is proposed to be created by the resolution +of Mr. RUTHERFURD. + +By that resolution the longitude indicates the relation between the +local time and the universal time in the simplest possible way. What +can be easier than the method involved in the resolution of Mr. +Rutherfurd? It is this: Local time at any place is equal to universal +time plus the longitude of the place, plus being understood always in +a mathematical sense. The longitude is to be added to the universal +time if it is positive, and subtracted if it is negative. That is very +simple, the whole being involved in one general formula. + +Now, I think it is perfectly impossible for Mr. Fleming to make a more +simple formula than that. The formula laid down in the proceedings of +the Roman Conference was far less simple, as it involved an odd twelve +hours. You got the universal time equal to the local time, minus the +longitude, plus twelve hours. This is far from simple. It makes the +calculation more complicated, and it seems to me that for other +reasons it is objectionable. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I do not +propose to take up the time of the Conference in reiterating the very +conclusive remarks in favor of this resolution made by the Delegate of +Great Britain. I wish, however, to allude, for a moment, to another +view of this question. Suppose we do not adopt this resolution. What +is the course before the Conference? We shall then be called upon, no +doubt, to decide that longitude shall be counted all around the world +from zero to 360 degrees. + +That general proposition is one which would not probably meet with +violent opposition, but the next point is one that will divide us very +materially, and perhaps disastrously. Which way shall we count? Shall +it be towards the east or towards the west? + +My conversations with the gentlemen here present have lead me to know +that there is a very great difference of opinion upon this point, and +I believe that if we should not adopt this resolution and should +decide to count longitude from zero to 360 degrees, a preference to +count it in one direction rather than the other would be established +only by a very close vote, nearly annulling the whole moral influence +of the Conference, and we should go back to our Governments without +much, if any, authority on the point in question. + +And I doubt whether our resolutions would be accepted by these +Governments if we show ourselves to be divided upon a question of so +much practical importance. + +It is simply a question of practice--of convenience. We all bowed to +the rule of convenience in selecting the meridian of Greenwich. And +why? Because seven-tenths of the civilized nations of the world use +this meridian, not that it was intrinsically better than the meridian +of Paris, or Washington, or Berlin, or St. Petersburg. Nobody claimed +any scientific preference among these meridians. It was simply because +seven-tenths of the civilized world were already using the meridian of +Greenwich. + +If we accept this argument in favor of the first resolution for +selecting the initial meridian, why should we not be equally inclined +to recognize the fact that all the civilized world count longitude in +both ways? There is no difference of opinion on that point. There is +no difference of usage. Shall we break that usage? Shall we introduce +a new system, which may or may not be found practical or agreeable? +Shall we not rather adopt the rule of all nations, already in use +among their practised astronomers and navigators, by saying continue +to do as you have already done? + +Sir FREDERICK EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain. Having for many years +mixed among the practical seamen of more than one nation, I confess I +look with some dismay on any other system for the notation of +longitude being adopted than the one proposed in this resolution. + +My colleague, Mr. FLEMING, made the remark that he could not +disassociate longitude from time. If he had mixed with seamen, he +would have found out that there is very frequently a well-defined +difference between the two in their minds. Longitude with seamen +means, independently of time, space, distance. It indicates so many +miles run in an east or west direction. Consequently, I am not able to +look upon longitude and time as being identical. + +Under these circumstances, this resolution also, as I understand it, +should be considered on practical grounds. + +The question of universal time will come on for consideration +hereafter, and how that may be settled seems to me a matter of +indifference compared with the decision on this resolution. I +question, for myself, whether any other plan than that it proposes +would be generally accepted. That is what I am afraid of. Whatever +respect nations may have for this Conference, public opinion would be +very strong upon the point now at issue. When you further recollect +that all around the globe, in all these various seas, there are +colonies with histories; that their geographical positions and +boundaries were originally recorded by longitude according to the +notation of which I have spoken, I think it is to be over sanguine to +expect that those colonies will accept a new notation of longitude +without greater proof of the positive necessity of the change. It +would not be the fiat of this Conference, or the fiat of any +government, that would bring about the change. I say this with all +deference to the opinions of those who have advocated a change. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. At the risk of repeating +somewhat my remarks made to the Congress when we last met, I would add +a few words to what has now been said. It is our wish that the points +of real difference should, as far as possible, be clearly brought out +before the Conference comes to a vote. + +As regards the counting of longitude in two directions, and the degree +of advantage or disadvantage that may arise in starting from zero and +treating east longitude as positive or plus, and west longitude as +negative or minus, let me ask the attention of the Congress to the +fact that longitude is already counted in these two directions, and +that, as a matter of fact also, latitude is counted in the same way, +in both directions from the equator, north latitude being plus and +south latitude minus. Nobody, so far as I have heard, has ever +proposed that we should abolish this method of reckoning latitude, and +substitute for it North or South polar distance, to be counted right +round the earth; and yet there is the same _quasi_ scientific +objection to the present method of counting in the one case as in the +other. As already stated, it seems to me that, for purposes of +practical convenience, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, +to separate the ideas on which the reckoning of longitude must be +based, from those which must regulate the reckoning of time, and +especially the reckoning of time in the sense of adopting a universal +day over the whole world. Now, it appears to me that, as regards the +acceptance of the universal day, it certainly will be anything but +convenient, if it begins and ends otherwise than when the sun passes +the 180th meridian. On the contrary, I think it will be extremely +inconvenient. I think that if the world were to adopt the meridian of +Greenwich as the origin of longitude, the natural thing for it to do +would be to have the international day, the universal day, begin from +the 180th meridian from Greenwich--that is, to coincide with the +Greenwich civil day. That meridian passes, as I said before, outside +of New Zealand, and outside of the Fijee Islands; it goes over only a +very small portion of inhabited country. It appears to me, therefore, +that inasmuch as there must be an absolute break or discontinuity in +time in passing round the earth--a break of twenty-four hours--it is +much more convenient that this break should take place in the +uninhabited part of the earth than in the very centre of civilization. + +If we adopt the universal day which coincides with the civil day at +Greenwich, then you will be able to have complete continuity of local +time over the whole earth, in harmonious relation with the universal +day, except at the break which necessarily takes place on the 180th +meridian. Otherwise this will not be possible. For instance, according +to the system proposed by the resolution, the local time +corresponding, say, to 0 hours of Monday at Greenwich, would, in +passing round the earth to the eastward from the 180th meridian, +gradually change from 12 hours of Sunday to 12 hours of Monday; and, +on returning to that meridian, the break of time would occur, and one +day would appear to be lost. But complete continuity both in the days +and hours, and harmony with the universal day, that is, the Greenwich +civil day, would be preserved for the whole earth, excepting on +crossing the 180th meridian. + +The result of the system which was proposed at Rome would be to cause +the break of dates to take place at Greenwich at noon, so that the +morning hours of the civil day would have a different universal date +from the afternoon hours, and this would be the case all over Europe. +But if the universal day be made to correspond to the civil day of +Greenwich, and the longitude is counted east in one direction and west +in another direction to the 180th meridian, these difficulties would +be overcome, and a perfectly simple rule would suffice for converting +local into universal time. As regards what was said upon the subject +of longitude being plus or minus, according as you move to the east or +west, it appears to me that there is a positive, clear, and rational +reason for calling longitude eastward plus and longitude westward +minus. The time is later to the east, and therefore the hour is +indicated by a higher number. In converting universal into local time, +if the place is east of Greenwich, you add the longitude to the +universal time, and therefore increase the number of the hour; if the +place be west of Greenwich, you subtract the longitude, and therefore +diminish the number of the hour. It is natural, therefore, to call +east longitude positive and the other negative. + +It appears to me also that the passage of the sun over the meridian +is, in reality, what may be called the index of the day, the day +consisting of 24 hours, distributed equally on either side of the +meridian. Noon of the universal day would thus coincide with the time +of the sun passing the initial meridian. There is perfect consistency, +therefore, in adopting the reckoning of longitude and time that is +proposed in the resolution before us. It is a rational and symmetrical +method. + +Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, the Delegate of Spain. I listened with great +pleasure to the observations which our honorable colleague, the +Delegate of England, General STRACHEY, has just made. + +I am not sufficiently acquainted with the English tongue to make a +speech, though I know it well enough to follow the debate. Moreover, +as I had beforehand studied the subject which is now before us, I have +quite well understood all that has been said on this point. I proposed +an amendment yesterday, in order to obtain what I consider the most +simple formula for converting local time into cosmical time. This +formula is not, perhaps, the most suitable for astronomers and +sailors, but they form the minority, and it is, I am sure, the easiest +for the mass of the people. This formula would be based on the +considerations which are now under discussion. I am not sufficiently +familiar with the language to give the reasons upon which I based my +amendment, but, as I demonstrated in the pamphlet which I had the +honor of addressing to my learned colleagues, the means, in my +opinion, of obtaining the simplest and the most suitable formula is to +make the beginning of civil time and of dates on the first meridian +coincide with the cosmical time and date, and to count longitude +continuously in the same direction from the initial meridian. This is +what I proposed to obtain by my amendment. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. Mr. President, I now propose +that the Conference take a recess for a few moments before a vote is +taken upon the resolution. + +No objection being made to the motion, the President announced that a +recess would be taken until the Chair called the Conference to order. + +THE PRESIDENT, having called the Conference to order, said. The recess +has given an opportunity for an interchange of opinion upon the +subject pending, and if the Conference be ready the vote will now be +taken. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I +think that the informal discussion which we have had upon this +question of the method of counting longitude must lead to the +conclusion that there is a great difference of opinion. So far as I +have been able to learn, many of the delegates have come here +instructed to favor the resolution adopted by the Roman Conference. It +is my own opinion that the recommendation to count longitude +continuously from the prime meridian from west to east, as recommended +by the conference at Rome, is not so good as the proposition now +before us. Personally, however, I would prefer to see it counted +continuously from east to west, as being more in conformity with +present usage among astronomers. But, as it appears that so many +delegates are instructed by their Governments to favor counting in the +opposite direction, and as, if this Congress adopts any other plan +than that proposed by the Conference at Rome, they will have to lay +before their Governments as the action of this Congress something that +will be opposed to the recommendation of the Roman Conference, and as +these two recommendations would naturally tend to neutralize each +other, I would favor the proposition which is now before us as being +the most expedient. + +I would suggest, however, that, instead of making a positive +declaration upon the question, we leave it as it now stands; that is +to say, that longitude shall be counted east and west from the prime +meridian, without specifying which direction shall be considered +positive, and declare it to be the opinion of this Congress that it is +not expedient to change the present method of counting longitude both +ways from the prime meridian. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate from Sweden. In my opinion the delegates +have not undertaken to recommend the resolutions adopted by a majority +of the Conference, but only the resolutions for which they have +themselves voted. As regards the fact that there may be great +differences of opinion concerning the questions which remain for our +consideration, I am unable to see in it any reason for our not +proceeding to vote upon them. On the contrary it will be of great +interest to our Governments to know the exact position taken by each +of the delegates, and even if any delegate should abstain from voting, +such abstention would be of interest in the event of future +negotiations on the subject. I am therefore of opinion that we should +proceed to vote on the remaining resolutions. + +The vote was then taken upon the resolution of the Delegate of the +United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD, which is as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That from this meridian (_id est_, Greenwich) + longitude shall be counted in two directions up to 180 + degrees, east longitude being plus and west longitude + minus." + +The following States voted in the affirmative: + + Chili, Liberia, + Colombia, Mexico, + Costa Rica, Paraguay, + Great Britain, Russia, + Guatemala, Salvador, + Hawaii, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + +The following States voted in the negative: + + Italy, Sweden, + Netherlands, Switzerland. + Spain, + +The following States abstained from voting: + + Austria-Hungary, Germany, + Brazil, San Domingo, + France, Turkey. + +Ayes, 14; noes, 5; abstaining, 6. + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the resolution was adopted. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I now +propose to read the third resolution from the printed circular which +has been furnished to the delegates. It is as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes the adoption of a + universal day for all purposes for which it may be found + convenient, and which shall not interfere with the use of + local time where desirable. This universal day is to be a + mean solar day; is to begin for all the world at the moment + of midnight of the initial meridian coinciding with the + beginning of the civil day and date of that meridian, and is + to be counted from zero up to twenty-four hours." + +This resolution is somewhat complex, and in order to facilitate +debate, I propose that we first occupy ourselves only with the first +clause, namely: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes the adoption of a + universal day for all purposes for which it may be found + convenient, and which shall not interfere with the use of + local time where desirable." + +After having disposed of that clause we can proceed to dispose of the +other parts of the resolution. + +The PRESIDENT. You propose, then, to divide the resolution as printed +in the circular into two resolutions, and you now offer the first part +for consideration. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. If that is the more +convenient form of putting it, it meets my views. It will be more easy +to discuss the subject, more easy to arrive at a decision, in that +form. + +M. le Comte ALBERT DE FORESTA, Delegate of Italy. I propose as an +amendment the fifth resolution of the Roman Conference, which reads as +follows: + + "The Conference recognizes, for certain scientific needs and + for the internal service of great administrations of ways of + communications, such as those of railroads, lines of + steamships, telegraphic and postal lines, the utility of + adopting a universal time, in connection with local or + national times, which will necessarily continue to be + employed in civil life." + +The PRESIDENT. The question is now upon the amendment offered by the +Delegate of Italy. + +Professor ABBE, Delegate of the United States. I would like to ask +whether this amendment adds anything substantially to the resolution. +I think it does not. It simply specifies the details of the resolution +pending before us. That resolution "proposes the adoption of a +universal day for all purposes for which it may be found convenient." +That is general. The amendment merely specifies certain of these +purposes. That is a matter of detail. + +Mr. ALLEN, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I desire to +offer an amendment to the amendment, as follows: + + "Civil or local time is to be understood as the mean time of + the approximately central meridian of a section of the + earth's surface, in which a single standard of time may be + conveniently used." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, it does +not seem to me that it is within the competence of this Conference to +define what is local time. That is a thing beyond us. + +Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Delegate of the United States, then said: Mr. +President and gentlemen, all efforts to arrive at uniformity in +scientific or every-day usage originate in a desire to attain greater +convenience in practice. The multiplicity of coins of which the +relative value can only be expressed by fractions, the various common +standards of weights and of measures, are inconvenient both to the +business man and the scientist. Alike inconvenient to both are the +diverse standards of time by which the cities of the world are +governed, differing, as they do, by all possible fractions of hours. + +All coins have a relative and interchangeable value based upon their +weight and fineness. Weights and measures remain the same by whatever +unit they may be expressed; but, primarily, time can only be measured +by a standard actually or apparently in motion. Absolutely accurate +mean local time, varying, as it does, by infinitesimal differences at +every point in the circuit of the earth, may be shown on a stationary +object, but cannot in general be kept by an individual or object in +motion. The mean local time of some fixed point in each locality must +be taken as the standard for practical use. The important question to +be determined is, over what extent of territory, measuring east and +west from such fixed point, its mean time may be employed for all +ordinary purposes without inconvenience. This can be absolutely +determined only by practical experience. + +Careful study of this phase of this subject led, perhaps, more +directly than any one single cause, to the proposal of the detailed +system of standard time which now satisfactorily controls the +operations of one hundred and twenty thousand miles of railway in the +United States and Canada, and governs the movements of fifty millions +of people. + +Before the recent change there were a number of localities where +standards of time were exclusively employed which varied as much as +thirty minutes, both on the east and the west, from mean local time, +without appreciable inconvenience to those using them. From this fact +the conclusion was inevitable that within those limits a single +standard might be employed. The result has proved this conclusion to +have been well founded. + +No public reform can be accomplished unless the evil to be remedied +can be made plainly apparent. That an improvement will be effected +must be clearly demonstrated, or the new status of affairs which will +exist after the change, must be shown to have been already +successfully tried. Here, as in law, custom and precedent are all +powerful. It would be a difficult task to secure the general adoption +of any system of time-reckoning which cannot be employed by all +classes of the community. Business men would refuse to regard as a +reform any proposition which introduced diversity where uniformity now +exists, nor would railway managers consent to adopt for their own use +a standard of time not coinciding with or bearing a ready relation to +the standard employed in other business circles. To adopt the time of +a universal day for all transportation purposes throughout the world, +and to use it collaterally with local time, would simply restore, and +possibly still more complicate, the very condition of things in this +country which the movement of last year was intended to and did to a +great extent obviate. Railway managers desire that the time used in +their service shall be either precisely the same as that used by the +public, or shall differ from it at as few points as possible, and then +by the most readily calculated differences. The public, on the other +hand, have little use for absolutely accurate time, except in +connection with matters of transportation, but will refuse to adopt a +standard which would materially alter their accustomed habits of +thought and of language in every-day life. That this position is +absurd may be argued, and, perhaps, admitted, but it is a fact, and +one which cannot be disregarded. + +The adoption of the universal day or any system of time-reckoning +based upon infrequent--such as the great quadrant--meridians, to be +used by transportation lines collaterally with local time, is, +therefore, practically impossible. + +Shall it, then, be concluded that there is no hope of securing +uniformity in time-reckoning for practical purposes? Or does the +proposition for the general division of the earth's surface into +specified sections, governed by standards based upon meridians fifteen +degrees or one hour apart, supply the remedy? Objections have been +urged against this proposition on account of difficulties encountered, +or supposed to be encountered, in the vicinity of the boundary lines +between the sections. It is argued that the contact of two sections +with standards of time differing by one hour will cause numerous and +insuperable difficulties. In railway business, in which time is more +largely referred to than in any other, the experience of the past year +has proved this fear to be groundless. It is true that the approximate +local time of a number of cities near the boundary lines between the +eastern and central sections in the United States is still retained. A +curious chapter of incidents could be related which led to this +retention, not affecting, however, the merits of the case; but the +fact serves to show that changes much greater than thirty minutes from +local time would not be acceptable. + +Adjacent to and on either side of all national boundary lines the +inhabitants become accustomed to the standards of weights, measures, +and money of both countries, and constantly refer to and use them +without material inconvenience. In the readjustment of a boundary upon +new lines of demarcation it must be expected that some temporary +difficulties in business transactions will be encountered, but all +history shows that such difficulties soon adjust themselves. Legal +enactments will finally determine the precise boundaries of the +several sections. If different laws respecting many other affairs of +life may exist on either side of a State or national boundary line, +with positive advantage or without material inconvenience, why should +laws respecting time-reckoning be an exception? Coins and measures are +distinguished by their names. So, also, may standards of time be +distinguished. + +The adoption of standard time for all purposes of daily life, based +upon meridians fifteen degrees apart, would practically abolish the +use of exact local time, except upon those meridians. Numerous +circumstances might be related demonstrating how very inaccurate and +undetermined was the local time used in many cities in this country +before the recent change. + +Except for certain philosophical purposes, does the inherent advantage +claimed in the use of even approximately accurate local time really +exist? Would the proposed change affect any custom of undoubted value +to the community? These questions have been answered in the negative +by the experience of Great Britain since January 13, 1848, of Sweden +since January 1, 1879, and of the United States and Canada since +November 18, 1883. + +Greenwich time is exclusively used in Great Britain, and differs from +mean local time about eight minutes on the east and about twenty-two +and a half minutes on the west. In Sweden the time of the fifteenth +degree of east longitude is the standard for all purposes. It differs +from mean local time about thirty-six and a half minutes on the east +and about sixteen minutes on the west. In the United States the +standards recently adopted are used exclusively in cities like +Portland, Me., (33,800 inhabitants,) and Atlanta, Ga., (37,400 +inhabitants,) of which the local times are, respectively, nineteen +minutes and twenty two minutes faster than the standard, and at Omaha, +Neb., (30,500 inhabitants,) and Houston, Tex., (16,500 inhabitants,) +each twenty-four minutes slower. At Ellsworth, Me., a city of six +thousand inhabitants, a change of twenty-six minutes has been made. +Nearly eighty-five per cent. of the total number of cities in the +United States of over ten thousand inhabitants have adopted the new +standard time for all purposes, and it is used upon ninety-seven and a +half per cent. of all the miles of railway lines. + +Let us now consider whether insuperable practical difficulties owing +to geographical peculiarities will prevent the adoption of this system +throughout the world. + +A table has been prepared, and accompanies this paper, upon which are +designated the several governing meridians and names suggested for the +corresponding sectional times. For the use of this table I am +indebted to Mr. E. B. Elliott, of this city. + +On the North American continent, in the United States and Canada, the +75th, 90th, 105th, and 120th west Greenwich meridians now govern time. +In Mexico the 105th west meridian is approximately central, except for +Yucatan, which is traversed by the 90th. For Guatemala, Salvador, and +Costa Rica, the 90th west meridian is approximately central. San +Domingo closely approaches and Cuba touches the 75th. + +In South America--the United States of Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, the +western portion of Bolivia, and Chili would use the time of the 75th +west meridian, while Venezuela, Guiana, western Brazil, including the +Amazon River region, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and the +Argentine Republic, would be governed by the time of the 60th +meridian. In eastern Brazil the 45th west meridian would govern. + +Passing to Europe, we find Great Britain already governed by the zero +meridian time, which can also be used in the Netherlands, Belgium, +France, Spain, and Portugal. The 15th east meridian, which is about as +far east of Berlin as west of Vienna, and no more distant from Rome +than from Stockholm, now governs all time in Sweden. This time could +also be advantageously used in Denmark, Germany, Austria-Hungary, +Switzerland, Italy, and Servia. The time of the 30th east meridian, +which is nearly the mean between Constantinople and St. Petersburg +times, could be used in Western Russia, Turkey, Roumania, Bulgaria, +East Roumelia, and Greece. When the development of Eastern Russia in +Europe shall require it, the division of that great country between +the times of the 30th and 45th east meridians, upon lines of +convenience similar to those employed in the United States, can +doubtless be arranged. The governing meridians for Africa appear to +present some advantages, especially for Egypt, and no insuperable +difficulties; but for continents where the boundaries of countries are +so loosely defined, the limits of time-reckoning cannot well and need +not now be shown. They would ultimately adjust themselves. + +In Asia the 60th east meridian passes through Khiva. Bombay would use +the 75th and Calcutta the 90th. The 105th east meridian touches Siam, +the 120th is near Shanghai, and the 135th passes through Japan and +near Corea. The 150th meridian of west longitude is sufficiently near +Hawaii. In Australia the 150th, 135th, and 120th meridians of east +longitude are admirably located for governing, respectively, the time +of the eastern, central, and western divisions of that continent. + +In none of the localities defined or mentioned, would the standards +proposed vary more from mean local time than has already been +demonstrated to be practicable without detriment to any material +interest. Convenience of use, based largely upon the direction of +greater commercial intercourse, would determine the action of +communities other than those mentioned, and probably somewhat modify +the schedule proposed. + +That no practical difficulty of usage would prevent the universal +adoption of the hour-section system of time-reckoning is apparent. Its +convenience has been abundantly realized. In adopting it, practically +no expense whatever is incurred. The alteration of the works or faces +of watches or clocks is not required. Their hands are simply set to +the new standard, and the desired result is accomplished. + +By the adoption of this system, the exact hours of time-reckoning, +although called by different names in the several sections for +every-day life, but specifically designated, if desired, for +scientific purposes, would be indicated at the same moment of time at +all points. The minutes and seconds would everywhere agree. The +absolute time of the occurrence of any event could, therefore, be +readily determined. The counting of the hour meridians should begin +where the day begins at the transition line. + +It would then be one of the possibilities of the powers of electricity +that the pendulum of a single centrally located clock, beating +seconds, could regulate the local time-reckoning of every city on the +face of the earth. + +_Table of Standards governing the Hour-Section System of +Time-reckoning._ + +====================================================================== +Longitude | HOUR MERIDIANS. |Simultaneous + from |----------------------------------------------| hours in +Greenwich.| | | the several + |Proposed names of sectional times. | Numbers. | sections. +----------+-----------------------------------+----------+------------ +_Degrees._| | | +----------| | | +180 |Transition time | 0 or 24th|12 midnight +165 west |Alaskan | 1st......| 1 A. M. +150 |Hawaii | 2d ......| 2 +135 |Sitka | 3d ......| 3 +120 |Pacific (Adopted in U.S. and Can.)| 4th......| 4 +105 |Mountain " " | 5th......| 5 +90 |Central (American) time " " | 6th......| 6 +75 |Eastern (or Coastwise) " " | 7th......| 7 +60 |La Plata | 8th......| 8 +45 |Brazilian | 9th......| 9 +30 |Central Atlantic |10th......|10 +15 |West African |11th......|11 +0 |Int'l or Unvs'l (Used in Gt. Brit.)|12th......|12 noon. +15 east |Continental (Used in Sweden.) |13th......| 1 P. M. +30 |Bosporus |14th......| 2 +45 |Caucasus |15th......| 3 +60 |Ural |16th......| 4 +75 |Bombay |17th......| 5 +90 |Central Asian |18th......| 6 +105 |Siam |19th......| 7 +120 |East Asian |20th......| 8 +135 |Japan |21st......| 9 +150 |East Australian |22d.......|10 +165 |New Caledonian |23d.......|11 +----------------------------------------------------------------------- + +I have no desire, however, to press on the Conference the +consideration of the question of local time reckoning. But, as the +system adopted in the United States and Canada has proved successful, +and is now firmly established, I have deemed it proper that a +statement of this fact and of the possibilities of the application of +the system to other parts of the world should be made to the Congress. +I will now, therefore, withdraw my amendment. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. The Delegate of Italy +has moved, as an amendment to the first part of the resolution offered +by me, the fifth resolution adopted in the Conference at Rome. Really, +in spirit and in substance, there is little or no difference between +them, except that the Conference at Rome has specified that the +objects they had in view as suitable for regulation by universal time +were these, namely: "For the internal service of the great +administrations of means of communication, such as railways, +steamships, telegraphs, and post-offices." + +Now, I submit that in the words used in my resolution all this is +embraced, and a good deal more, for this universal day is to be +adopted "for all purposes for which it may be found convenient." If it +were desirable that every purpose for which the universal day may be +found convenient should be specified, it would make a very long +resolution. On the other hand, however, we might find in the end that +we had omitted some of the purposes for which it was eminently +convenient. It appears, also, that in this same fifth Roman resolution +all questions of chronology of universal date, etc., are omitted, +although they are brought forward and appear in the sixth resolution. +It seems to me, Mr. President, that nothing would be gained by the +adoption of this amendment, for everything that is embraced there is +more comprehensively embraced in the original resolution. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. In explanation of the +amendment offered by the Delegate of Italy, let me call attention to +what really passed at the Roman Conference. I find, first of all, in +the report of the Roman Conference, in the abstract of the discussion +before the Special Committee, these words, (p. 49 of the reprint:) + + "The fourth resolution, in favor of a universal hour for + certain scientific and practical purposes, is unanimously + adopted." + +There appears no discussion whatever upon it; not a word seems to have +been said as to how it should be defined or acted upon. I then turn +back to the report of the committee which prepared the resolutions, +and there we see what, in reality, they had in their minds when they +drew up that resolution. It is perfectly evident that they had no +intention of tying the hands of anybody. This is what they say on page +26 of the report: + + "The administrations of railroads, of the great steamship + lines, telegraph lines, and postal routes, which would thus + secure for their relations with each other a uniform time, + excluding all complication and error, could nevertheless + not entirely avoid the use of local time in their relations + with the public. They would probably use the universal time + only in their internal service, for the rules of the road, + for the time-tables of their engineers and conductors, for + the connection of trains at frontiers, etc.; but the + time-tables for the use of the public could hardly be + expressed otherwise than in local or national time. The + depots or stations of the railroads, post-offices, and + telegraph offices, and the waiting-rooms, could exhibit + outwardly clocks showing local or national time, while + within the offices there would be, besides, clocks + indicating universal time. Telegraphic dispatches could show + in future the time of despatch and of receipt, both in local + and universal time." + +Now, I think that the subject of universal time is dealt with in a +better manner in the proposition offered by Mr. RUTHERFURD than in the +proposition which emanated from the Congress at Rome. This Conference +cannot designate positively the manner in which local time may be best +reckoned. We are concerned now only with universal time. It may, +however, be proper that the resolution offered by Mr. RUTHERFURD in +regard to the employment of universal time should be supplemented by +something more specific--something, for instance, of this sort: + + The Conference will not designate the system on which local + time may best be reckoned so as to conform, as far as + possible, to universal time; this should be determined by + each nation to suit its convenience. + + The arrangements for adopting universal time for the use of + international telegraphs will be left for regulation by the + telegraph international congress. + +This last idea was expressed, I forget now by whom, but by one of the +Delegates since the Conference met, and it appears to me that inasmuch +as there is an international congress specially appointed to regulate +all matters of international telegraphy, this subject can be left to +them with the firm belief that it will be regulated satisfactorily. + +The question was then put to the vote; and upon the amendment offered +by the Delegate of Italy the following States voted in the +affirmative: + + Colombia, Paraguay, + Italy, Spain, + Netherlands, Sweden. + +The following in the negative: + + Brazil, Liberia, + Chili, Mexico, + Costa Rica, Russia, + France, Salvador, + Germany, San Domingo, + Great Britain, Switzerland, + Guatemala, Turkey, + Hawaii, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + +Austria-Hungary abstained from voting. + +Ayes, 6; noes, 18; abstaining, 1. + +So the amendment was lost. + +The question then recurred upon the original resolution. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, it has +been represented to me that it may, perhaps, be found advantageous in +different countries and different localities to use a time that would +not be accurately described as local time. In one place the standard +of time may be strictly local time; in another place it may be +national time; in another place it may be railroad time. + +In order to meet this condition of things, I propose to alter the +phraseology of the original resolution in this way: by inserting the +words "or other," so that it shall read "which shall not interfere +with the use of local or _other_ time where desirable." + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. May it not be better to +put it in this way: "Which shall not interfere with the use of local +or other _standard_ time where desirable." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. I accept the amendment +offered by the Delegate of Great Britain. + +Mr. JEAN VALERA, Delegate of Spain. As I consider that both the +amendment which was just rejected and the present proposition really +signify the same thing, I shall vote for the proposition, as I before +did for the amendment. + +The PRESIDENT. The question is now upon the resolution, as modified. +It will be read. + +The resolution was then read, as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference proposes the adoption of a + universal day for all purposes for which it may be found + convenient, and which shall not interfere with the use of + local or other standard time where desirable." + +The following States voted in the affirmative: + + Austria-Hungary, Mexico, + Brazil, Netherlands, + Chili, Paraguay, + Colombia, Russia, + Costa Rica, Salvador, + France, Spain, + Great Britain, Sweden, + Guatemala, Switzerland, + Hawaii, Turkey, + Italy, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + Liberia, + +There were no negative votes. + +Germany and San Domingo abstained from voting. + +Ayes, 23; noes, 0; abstaining, 2. + +So the resolution was carried. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I now +propose to offer the other portion of the resolution, or rather I +propose to offer the other portion in the form of a distinct +resolution. It will run as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That this universal day is to be a mean solar + day; is to begin for all the world at the moment of midnight + of the initial meridian, coinciding with the beginning of + the civil day and date of that meridian; and is to be + counted from zero up to twenty-four hours." + +This is, in substance, the resolution adopted by the Conference at +Rome, with the exception that the Conference at Rome proposed that the +universal day should coincide with the astronomical day instead of the +civil day, and begin at Greenwich noon, instead of Greenwich midnight. + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. I desire to make one +remark merely. Would it not be a little more correct if we said "at +the moment of mean midnight?" I think I have mentioned this before, +but, to be clear, I think it should be made. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD accepted Professor ADAMS'S suggestion. + +Mr. JUAN VALERA, Delegate of Spain. Mr. President, I wish to call +special attention to the proposition now before us, on which we are +called upon to vote, as it is of very great importance. + +As for me, I acknowledge that my mission is already fulfilled. The +Government of Spain had directed me to admit the necessity or the +usefulness of a common prime meridian, and also to accept the meridian +of Greenwich as the universal meridian. I have attended to these +directions. + +We have now to deal with a scientific question on which I cannot well +express an opinion, as I do not feel that I am competent in such +matters; besides, I am not authorized to do so. This may be due to my +ignorance in matters of this kind, but I fear that extraordinary +difficulties may arise in the adoption of this proposition, and if we +proceed with too great haste, we run the risk of placing ourselves in +contradiction to common sense. All the popular ideas of men for +thousands of years past will, perhaps, be overturned. It may happen +that when the day begins at Greenwich it will be 23 hours later at +Berlin. The east will be confounded with the west, and the west with +the east. If we made the day begin at the anti-meridian these +questions would be avoided, and we should at one be with the rest of +the human race. I believe that it would be better to adjourn till +to-morrow to give us time to reflect; in this way we shall not risk by +our devotion to science drawing upon ourselves popular criticism. + +I propose, therefore, that the vote on this question be put off till +to-morrow. + +M. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France. Not to-morrow. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. I beg to propose as an amendment +the sixth resolution adopted by the Conference at Rome, which is as +follows: + +The Conference recommends as initial point for the universal hour and +the cosmic day the mean midday of Greenwich, coinciding with the +moment of midnight or the beginning of the civic day at the meridian +12 hours or 180 deg. from Greenwich. + +The universal hours are to be counted from 0 up to 24 hours. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair quite concurs with the Delegate of Spain in +thinking that it would be very proper for us to take some time to +consider this matter. + +A motion to adjourn would be in order, but before that motion is made, +the Chair would like to read a communication which he has just +received from the Assistant Secretary of State. It is this: + + "The President of the United States will receive the members + of the Conference on Thursday, the 16th instant, at 12 + o'clock, at the White House." + +The Assistant Secretary of State proposes that we shall meet here at a +quarter before 12, and go to the White House from this hall. + +The PRESIDENT. If the Delegate of Spain will withdraw his motion to +adjourn for one moment, the Delegate of Sweden desires to offer a +resolution. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden, then read the following +proposal: + + Hereafter the reports of the speeches, whether in English or + French, will be sent as soon as possible to the Delegates + who made them, and the proofs should be corrected and + returned by them without delay to the Secretary. No + correction will be allowed afterward, except such as are + considered necessary by the Secretaries, who will meet as + soon as possible after the first corrections shall have been + printed to prepare the protocols for the approval of the + Conference. + +The motion being put to a vote by the President, was unanimously +carried. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would very informally state that he has +received to-day a letter from Sir William Thomson, the distinguished +scientist who addressed the Conference yesterday, expressing his +regret that he did not then say something which he had in his mind and +which he wished to say, namely, that the meridian of Greenwich passes +directly through the great commercial port of Havre. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. Since the Chairman refers to this +subject, I may state to my colleagues that I have received a telegram +from Sir William Thomson, in which he makes certain propositions of +the nature described. + +Yet it is not possible to make out precisely, by this telegram, what +are Sir William Thomson's ideas. All that I can say is, that whatever +proceeds from such an eminent man should be treated with great +consideration, and that is a reason for asking Sir W. Thomson to be +good enough to explain to me his ideas more fully. If we could adjourn +to Monday, I think that it would be better. The preparation of the +protocols is very much behind-hand, and it is desirable that the +members of the Conference be kept fully acquainted with all the +discussions. I would, therefore, suggest that we adjourn till Monday. + +The PRESIDENT. There are several propositions to adjourn to different +days. The Chair will take them up in order and will first put the +question upon the motion to adjourn until Monday. + +The motion was carried, and at four o'clock the Conference adjourned +until Monday, the 20th instant, at one o'clock p. m. + + + + +VI. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 20, 1884. + + +The Conference met, pursuant to adjournment, in the Diplomatic Hall of +the Department of State, at one o'clock p. m. + +Present: + + Austro-Hungary: Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Chili: Mr. F. V. GORMAS and Mr. A. B. TUPPER. + Colombia: Commodore S. R. FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. C. ADAMS, + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Gautemala: Mr. MILES ROCK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Liberia: Mr. Wm. COPPINGER. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, Mr. ANGEL ANGUIANO. + Netherlands: Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, Mr. + J. DE KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. DE J. GALVAN. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Mr. + JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Switzerland: Col. EMILE FREY. + Turkey: RUSTEM EFFENDI. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFURD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, Professor CLEVELAND ABBE. + Venezuela: Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + +Absent: + + Denmark: Mr. C. S. A. DE BILLE. + Hawaii: Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Salvador: Mr. ANTONIO BATRES. + +The PRESIDENT. Some days ago a Committee was appointed to report on +communications addressed to the Conference through the Chair. All +communications that have been received from time to time, and they +have been numerous, have been referred to this committee, of which the +Delegate from England, Prof. ADAMS, is the chairman. He now informs +the Chair that he is prepared to make a report. + +The Delegate of England, Prof. ADAMS, then read the following report: + + _Letter from the President of the Conference._ + + INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CONFERENCE, + DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, _Oct. 14, 1884_. + + SIR: I have the honor to submit to the Committee of which + you are the Chairman the following communications: + + No. 1. Letters from Mr. Roumanet du Cailland, through Mr. + Hunter, Ass't Sec. of State. + + No. 2. Letter and communication from Mr. C. M. + Raffensparger. + + No. 3. Letter from Mr. A. S. de Chancourtois, accompanying + books from Paris. + + No. 4. Letter from Mr. A. W. Spofford, enclosing letter of + Mr. J. W. Stolting, of Dobbs' Ferry. + + No. 5. Letter from Mr. B. Aycrigg, Passaic, N. J. + + No. 6. Letter from J. T. Field, St. Louis, Mo. + + No. 7. Letter and two enclosures from Mr. Theodor Paesche. + + No. 8. Description of the Universal Time-Piece of Dr. A. M. + Cory. + + No. 9. Letter and enclosure from Mr. E. R. Knorr. + + No. 10. Letter from Mr. J. E. Hilgard, of the U. S. Coast + Survey and Geodetic Survey. + + No. 11. Arguments by Committee of New York and New Jersey + branch, and other papers relating to weights and measures. + + No. 12. Letter from Lt. C. A. S. Totten, U.S.A., in relation + to a Standard Meridian. + + No. 13. Letter from Mr. J. P. Merritt, in relation to the + Metric System. + + No. 14. Postal card from W. H. Yates, in relation to the + Mercator Projection. + + No. 15. A New System of Mensuration, by Lawrence S. Benson. + + No. 16. Letter of T. C. Octman, of Hope Mills, N. C., + calling attention to the fact that the meridian of Greenwich + passes through Havre. + + No. 17. Letter from Dr. H. K. Whitner, explaining his + notation of 24 hours. + + I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, + + C. R. P. RODGERS, + _President International Meridian Conference_. + + Prof. J. C. ADAMS. + + + _Report of the Committee._ + + The Committee on communications respectfully reports as + follows: + + We have carefully examined all of the communications + referred to us, as enumerated in the letter of President + Rodgers, with the following results: + + No. 1 recommends that the meridian of Bethlehem be adopted + as the initial meridian. This question has been already + disposed of by the Conference; therefore further + consideration of the proposition is unnecessary. + + No. 2 refers to an invention, the author of which states + that "a patent has been applied for," consequently your + Committee does not feel called upon to express any opinion + upon it. + + No. 3 is a letter from M. de Chancourtois, accompanying a + work by him which contains an elaborate program of a system + of geography based on decimal measures, both of time and of + angles, and on the adoption of an international meridian. + + The work also contains copious historical notices on the + metric system and on the initial meridian. + + A copy of this work was presented to each of the Delegates + prior to the discussions of the Conference with regard to + the choice of an initial meridian, and therefore no special + report of the author's views on this subject appears to your + committee to be necessary. These views are nearly identical + with those which were so ably laid before the Conference by + Professor Janssen, but which failed to meet with their + approval. + + The author further proposes to supersede the present mode of + measuring both angles and time by a system in which the + entire circumference and the length of the day should each + be first divided into four equal parts, and then each of + these parts should be subdivided decimally. + + However deserving of consideration these proposals may be, + in the abstract, your Committee are clearly of the opinion + that they do not fall within the limits indicated by the + instructions which we have received from our respective + governments, and that, therefore, any discussion of them + would only be of a purely academical character, and could + lead to no practical result. Such a discussion would be sure + to elicit great differences of opinion, and would, + therefore, occupy a considerable time. + + Hence, your Committee think that it would be very + undesirable for the Conference to enter upon it. + + No. 4 is a letter from Mr. Spofford, Librarian of Congress, + including a communication of Mr. J. W. Stolting, Dobbs' + Ferry, N. Y. The author recommends the adoption of the + meridian 162 deg. W. from Greenwich as the prime meridian; he + proposes further, not to say east or west, but first or + second half, and also recommends the adoption of a universal + time, not to interfere with local or other standard time, + and to reckon from "1 to 24." He expresses no opinion as to + whether the day should begin at noon or midnight. There + seems to be nothing in the communication to influence the + decisions of the Conference. + + No. 5. See report as to letter No. 1. + + No. 6 suggests that the prime meridian should be 180 deg. from + Greenwich, and that longitude should be reckoned from 0 deg. to + 360 deg.. This proposition has been already considered and + rejected by the Conference. + + No. 7. This communication proposes "to adopt as the prime + meridian the frontier line between Russia and the United + States, as defined in the treaty of March 30, 1867." As the + initial meridian has already been agreed to by the + Conference, this proposition needs no further notice. + + No. 8. This communication refers to an invention which has + no bearing on the question before the Conference. The + committee therefore abstain from expressing an opinion as to + its merits. + + No. 9. Two letters from Mr. E. R. Knorr, of Washington, + D.C., advocating the advisability of reckoning longitude + "westward from 0 deg. to 359 deg.," and marking them on charts by + time instead of by degrees. The Conference has already taken + action on the question involved. + + No. 10. A letter from Prof. Hilgard, enclosing a pamphlet by + Lt. C. A. S. Totten on the metrology of the great pyramid, a + subject which does not fall within the scope of the subjects + presented for the consideration of this Conference. In the + enclosing letter Prof. Hilgard says: "I am purely and + squarely for Greenwich midnight as the beginning of the + universal day, and an east and west count of longitude; that + is, 180 deg. each way." + + No. 11 advocates the preservation of the Anglo-Saxon system + of weights and measures. This subject being foreign to the + questions under consideration by this Conference, the + Committee deems further comment unnecessary. + + No. 12. A letter from Lieut. C. A. S. Totten, U.S.A., + advocating a prime meridian through the great pyramid. The + proposition involved has already been decided by the + Conference. + + No. 13 recommends redistribution of time according to the + decimal system. As already remarked under No. 3, this + proposition is clearly not within the limits indicated by + the instructions which we have received from our respective + governments. + + No. 14 states that the author has a plan by which + "chronometers will record the longitude equably." This + proposition is foreign to the subjects under consideration + by the Conference. + + No. 15 proposes a new system of mensuration; and, therefore, + this does not fall within the subjects for consideration by + the Conference. + + No. 16. This communication suggests that as the prime + meridian passes through Havre, it should be allowable to + call it by that name. This Committee recommends that the + prime meridian be not named after the localities through + which it passes, but be called simply "The Prime Meridian." + + No. 17 is the subject of a patent. The Committee does not + feel called upon to express an opinion respecting it. + + This report is respectfully submitted to the Conference. + + J. C. ADAMS, + _Chairman Committee on Communications._ + + WASHINGTON, _Oct. 18th, 1884_. + +The PRESIDENT. The report of the Committee is before the Conference. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, the Delegate of the United States. I move that the +report be accepted, and its conclusions adopted. + +There being no objection, the report was adopted. + +The PRESIDENT. In the regular order of business to-day, the first +subject before the Conference is the resolution offered on Saturday by +the Delegate of the United States, Mr. RUTHERFURD, with the amendment +offered by the Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT. + +The resolution is as follows: + + "_Resolved_, That this universal day is to be a mean solar + day, is to begin for all the world at the moment of mean + midnight of the initial meridian coinciding with the + beginning of the civil day and date of that meridian, and is + to be counted from zero up to twenty-four hours." + +The amendment offered is as follows: + + "The Conference recommends as initial point for the + universal hour and the cosmic day the mean mid-day of + Greenwich, coinciding with the moment of midnight or the + beginning of the civil day at the meridian 12 hours or 180 deg. + from Greenwich. + + "The universal hours are to be counted from 0 up to 24 + hours." + +Mr. VALERA, the Delegate of Spain, said that he thought that the +amendment of the Delegate of Sweden should be first discussed. + +Mr. JANSSEN, the Delegate of France. At the last session I informed +the Congress that I had received a telegram from Sir William Thomson +upon the question of the meridian. Since then, that illustrious +foreign member of the Institute of France has written me a very kind +letter upon the subject, in which he expresses his complete +appreciation of the disinterested attitude taken by France in this +Congress. I thank Sir William Thomson for his sentiments towards +France, and I am persuaded that, with such excellent feelings, we +should arrive at an understanding, upon scientific bases, in which the +moral and material interests of all would be equitably adjusted, as we +have always understood them. + +But the question is not open now, and this Congress would, doubtless, +not be disposed to reopen it. Sir William Thomson will understand, +therefore, that in the present condition of affairs we have only to +maintain the attitude which we have taken and the votes which we have +given. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair will simply say to the Conference that he +very informally alluded to the letter that he had received from Sir +William Thomson, and the Chair would also say in answer to the Spanish +Minister that the rule in this Conference, a simple one, is to discuss +the last amendment offered and dispose of it, instead, as suggested by +the Delegate of Spain, of taking up the one most important in its +character. It would be somewhat difficult for the Chair to decide on +all occasions which amendment is the most important. I think, +therefore, as Chairman, that I will pursue the rule in force in this +country, and, unless the Conference order otherwise, shall present the +amendment which is the last offered. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. Mr. Chairman, the Spanish +Minister has not referred to the most important amendment, but to the +most radical. For instance, here there are several propositions to +select a meridian; one of them must be considered, and it seems to me +that my amendment, which is the most radical, is the one to be first +presented to the Conference. + +The PRESIDENT. Unless the Conference shall direct otherwise, the Chair +must pursue the principle on which it has acted hitherto, taking the +amendments in the order in which they are offered, and presenting them +inversely for the action of the Conference. The proposition before the +Conference, therefore, is the amendment offered by the Delegate of +Spain, Mr. ARBOL, which is as follows: + + "Having accepted the meridian of Greenwich to account the + longitudes, as a general need for practical purposes, but + thinking that the introduction of any new system of + time-reckoning is far more scientific and important, and + liable to great difficulties and confusion in the future, we + propose the following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, The Congress, taking in consideration that + there is already a meridian tacitly accepted by almost all + the civilized nations as the origin of dates, the + anti-meridian of Rome, abstains from designating any other + meridian to reckon the universal time." + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. It is proposed to introduce an +absolute universal or cosmopolitan system of time-reckoning, which, it +is hoped, will, at a more or less distant day, be generally adopted, +not only for scientific purposes, but for all the ordinary purposes of +life for which it can possibly be used; and it is further proposed to +designate a meridian at which this cosmopolitan time-reckoning is to +begin. What I have to state is, that this method of absolute +time-reckoning already exists, (although we do not use it,) as does +this universal meridian which has been tacitly chosen by almost all +civilized nations--that is to say, by all such as have adopted the +Julian calendar, with or without the Gregorian correction. Thus it is +that anything involving even a slight modification of our present +system is nothing more than a chronological reform, which I do not +feel certain that it will be well for us to introduce or recommend, +and with regard to which I have my doubts whether it will be received +with unanimous or hearty approval. + +In fact, gentlemen, all nations that have adopted the Julian and +Gregorian systems of time-reckoning have necessarily accepted their +consequences, and these consequences are, as Rome told us in the time +of Caesar and in that of Gregory XIII, that we must reckon our days +according to certain fixed dates; some part of the world had to reckon +their dates before all the rest, and as Rome consented that countries +situated to the east of it should reckon their date before it and +countries situated to the west after it, it is evident that both +reckonings had to meet at some point on some meridian, which was and +could be no other than the anti-meridian of Rome. Nature itself seems +to have lent its sanction to this, since the anti-meridian of Rome +crosses no continent, and, probably, no land whatever. + +Let us suppose, for the sake of illustration, that it were agreed to +abandon the Gregorian system of reckoning at a given moment, and to +adopt another; that it were agreed to abandon it at all points on the +globe when the hour should be twelve o'clock at noon at Greenwich, on +the first day of January, 1885; and let us suppose that for historical +or scientific purposes we were interested in knowing exactly how long +the Gregorian system had been in use. Is it possible to ascertain +this? It is; and very easily. Using that system of universal +time-reckoning which it is proposed to establish, but logically +referring it to the origin of that cosmopolitan reckoning which really +exists, that is to say, to the anti-meridian of Rome, we shall find +that 1885 years have been reckoned according to the Gregorian system, +plus the difference of longitude between the anti-meridians of +Greenwich and Rome. Nothing is more certain than this, and there is no +other way of solving the problem. As I have already shown, when the +Gregorian correction was made, the day which, according to the old +mode of reckoning, would have been the 5th of October, was called the +15th of October, 1582; the countries situated to the east of Rome had, +however, previously begun to reckon according to the new system +(previously in absolute time I mean,) and the countries situated to +the west adopted it successively afterwards. Now, then, as that +portion of the globe which lies to the east of any given point or +meridian is nothing more or less than one hemisphere, and as that +which lies to the west is another hemisphere, it is evident that, at +the anti-meridian of Rome, the two meridians, which constantly differ +by one day in their dates, are confounded, and that the anti-meridian +of Rome, being the first one in the world that adopted the Julian and +the Gregorian systems of reckoning, is the prime meridian of the +world, the meridian by which we now reckon, and ought to reckon +universal time, until the establishment of a different system. If we +had, at the present time, to settle any question depending on dates, +in the region where there is some confusion in regard to them, we +should have to do so on this principle. If we desired to compel the +entire world to keep a regular and logical account of dates, we should +have to do so by compelling all the nations to the west of the +anti-meridian of Rome to go on reckoning their dates uninterruptedly +after they have begun to be reckoned at the said anti-meridian, and by +forbidding all the nations to the east of it to reckon any date until +it has been reckoned at the anti-meridian of Rome. For this reason I +say that the express designation, for the reckoning of universal time, +of the meridian of Greenwich or of any other than the anti-meridian of +Rome, involves a chronological reform, inasmuch as it will involve the +abandonment of the system to which we now adhere, and which we now use +by common consent. + +This reform will cause a change of nearly 13 hours--that is to say, 12 +hours plus the difference of longitude between Rome and Greenwich, if +the meridian of Greenwich is designated as the new initial point of +the universal date. I do not believe, however, that you will adopt +this choice irrevocably, since its curious and strange consequences +may be shown by one example, which I will adduce: This table is of +about sufficient extent to allow the difference between the +geographical longitude of its two ends to be observed and appreciated. +Let us suppose that these sessions were held at Greenwich, and that +the table were placed east and west, so that the meridian intersected +it lengthwise; let us further suppose that we had agreed to reckon the +new universal time by this meridian--that is to say, by that of +Greenwich--and that, in signing the protocol, we wished to set an +example to the world by using the universal date, the present civil +date and the future civil date, which, by the daily use of the +universal date, the nations will or may finally accept, to the +exclusion of all others, for the ordinary purposes of life. Well, now, +gentlemen, we should bring our own choice into discredit. We could not +sign, according to these three dates. As regards the last, we should +find that half the table and half the Congress were under one date, +and the other half under another; even our chairman, if seated in the +middle, would find that he had been presiding over our sessions with +his right side in one day and his left in the next. + +I may be told that this would happen, whatever might be the meridian +chosen, but we could afford to allow it to happen at sea, or in some +isolated and uninhabited region where congresses never sit, and where +no ray of civilization ever penetrates. + +But to return to the reform, what are you going to do? I will say that +if, instead of the meridian of Greenwich, you designate the +anti-meridian for the reckoning of universal time and for the initial +point of cosmopolitan dates for the present, but for the future as the +initial point also of local dates, the reform will amount to about an +hour only, but it will still be a reform. In a word, the anti-meridian +of Rome is the one which now furnishes dates to the entire world, and +you propose to make the meridian of Greenwich or the anti-meridian do +so in future. + +I therefore tell you, if you desire a common hour for postal and +commercial purposes, designate no meridian at all; let the railway and +telegraph companies, the postal authorities and the governments make +an arrangement and select an artificial hour, so to speak, whatever +it be the hour of Rome, London, Paris, or even that of Greenwich, but +do not make a premature declaration which will be an authoritative one +as emanating from this Congress, an apparently insignificant reform, +but in reality one of very great importance, since, giving the +preference to determinate localities in the face of what is +scientific, historical, and logical, you render difficult, in the +future, the adoption of that very reform, which will, perhaps, then be +more necessary, and which can perhaps then be introduced more +intelligently. + +You see that I am not speaking in behalf of any special meridian, not +even that of Rome, since I admit that the reform may be necessary. You +see, and I assure you, that I have not the slightest wish that the +meridian which is to be the initial point of universal time should +bear the name of any observatory or place in Spain, although that +nation discovered the New World in which this Congress is holding its +sessions, and although it may be said of that nation that it +discovered those very meridians concerning which we are now speaking, +inasmuch as terrestial meridians were indefinite and unknown lines, +and were even without form until one was given them by Sebastian +Elcano. I therefore hope that if you do not honor my proposition by +accepting it, you will at least do justice to my intentions. + + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I shall be very +short in any remarks which I may make upon the proposition before us. + +As far as I understand it, it is that, although we have adopted the +meridian of Greenwich as a prime meridian from which to count +longitudes, we should begin to count our time according to the +meridian at Rome. I cannot consent to that proposition. It appears to +me to be wanting in every element of simplicity, which should be our +chief aim in this Conference. To count longitude from one meridian and +time from another, is something that will never be adopted. I do not +understand that that was at all the proposition recommended by the +Roman Conference. On the contrary, I think that it was quite a +different one. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. Mr. President, I do not in +reality propose to adopt the meridian or anti-meridian of Rome. What I +have been contending for is that we should abstain at present from +adopting any meridian as a point of departure for the calculation of +time; otherwise, we introduce a new element of confusion for the +future. We should change the chronological reckoning which is now in +vogue, and I contend that we have no right, scientific or historical, +to make that change now. According to my views, the meridian of +longitude is relatively an unimportant affair. It is a practical one; +it cannot be changed in twenty years, probably, and it will take that +time to correct all existing charts. But if you adopt a meridian for +time, it will be very difficult to alter it in the future. I cannot +now clearly see what the difficulties will be, but I apprehend that +the application of this new principle to the various details of +scientific and civil matters will necessarily be attended with great +inconvenience, and may result in proving to be quite impracticable. I +understand it very well that it is proposed to confine this principle +to certain subjects, and that it is adopted for the purpose of +avoiding dangers in communications, in navigation, in railways, and in +transmitting telegrams, &c.; but this is purely an administrative +matter, and can be left for settlement to other bodies. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would remind the Delegate of Spain, Mr. RUIZ +DEL ARBOL, that at its last session the Conference resolved, with +singular unanimity, that it was expedient to adopt "a universal day +for all purposes for which it may be found convenient, and which shall +not interfere with the local or other standard time where desirable." +The Chair would politely suggest that the subject now under +consideration is the adoption of the proposition recommended by the +Conference at Rome, and which has been presented here by the Delegate +of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. My proposition is to abstain +from the adoption of any one meridian, and that we leave the matter to +some other Congress, organized with the special object of regulating +this question. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, as +near as I can follow the Delegate of Spain, he seems to be under the +apprehension that by the adoption of the universal day, which has been +proposed here, we should either gain or lose time in our chronology; +that we should skip 12 hours, more or less. But, of course, that is +not the case. Any event which has occurred, or which will occur, at +the time of the adoption of the universal day will be expressed just +as exactly with reference to time as if the time had been calculated +from the beginning of the Christian era. There will not only be no +confusion, but it seems to me the adoption of the universal day will +tend to avoid confusion hereafter, because confusion must exist where +we have so many standards of time. Now, if any event which is taking +place, or has taken place at any past time in the history of the +world, is referred to the prime meridian, or is expressed in the time +of any locality or of several localities, these times will all be +different. The adoption of the universal day is to avoid any +difficulty of that sort, and any event which has transpired will, when +expressed in the time of the universal day--that is, according to the +universal method--represent exactly the interval of time which has +elapsed since the beginning of the Christian era. Nothing is gained or +lost. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. It seems to me that the +Congress having accepted the resolution to which reference was made a +little while ago, adopting the universal day, it is incumbent upon us, +in the nature of things, to determine when that universal day shall +begin. The resolution presented by the Delegate of the United States +proposes to define how that universal day shall be reckoned; that is, +when it shall begin and how its hours shall be counted. + +It was explained by him that the difference between his proposition +and the proposition made at Rome consisted in altering the time of the +commencement of the so-called universal day from noon at Greenwich to +the commencement of the civil day. Certainly what Commander SAMPSON +just said is perfectly true. The adoption of this so-called universal +day will not interfere in the smallest degree with any purpose for +which time is employed in civil life. The two objects are entirely +distinct. It is obvious that the conception of the necessity of having +a universal day has arisen from the more clear conception of the fact +that time on the globe is essentially local; that the time upon any +given line (supposing it to be a meridian) is not the time at the same +moment on either side of that line, however small the departure from +it may be; and for scientific accuracy it has, therefore, been thought +desirable to have some absolute standard to which days and hours can +be referred. Up to the present time it has been the practice to say, +in an indefinite way, that an event happened, say, on the 1st of +January at 6 o'clock in the morning, and such a statement of the time +has been considered sufficient; but, in truth, this does not +completely describe a definite epoch of time, for if the event +occurred at Madrid and was so reported, that report would not +designate the same moment as a report of an event which was described +to have occurred at precisely the same date and hour at Greenwich, or +Rome, or Washington. What is required and desired is that we should +have an absolute and definite standard for reckoning events of a +certain description, for which complete precision is desirable. I +consider, therefore, that the Delegate of Spain leads us astray in the +proposition which he has offered, by which he virtually proposes to +nullify the resolution already adopted. We have already decided that a +universal day was expedient, and it is for the Conference to settle +now when that universal day shall begin. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. I understand that the +consequences, perhaps, would not be troublesome at first; but who can +look into the future and say, if we take the meridian of Greenwich as +the standard of time, what difficulties we may be driven into? Every +country will be obliged to count both ways. They will have to use +civil time and universal time. Perhaps all countries may get +accustomed to this radical change sooner or later, but we cannot +foresee the difficulty now. I have here a treatise (a book) on +"Analytic Chronology," showing the rules by which to bring into accord +different dates of different calendars and eras, and I do not know how +they would be affected by this universal time; but it is unnecessary +for me to speak of that, as I think you are acquainted with the +subject. + +Mr. JUAN PASTORIN, Delegate of Spain. The Congress has already come to +very important decisions on the subject of the reckoning of longitude, +and it will also certainly approve to-day those which have just been +submitted on the subject of the universal day. + +I say certainly, because the result of the former votes being already +known, it cannot be doubted on which side the majority will be, and +because, from a scientific point of view, having chosen Greenwich as +the prime meridian for the calculation of longitude, and having +decided to reckon longitude in two directions from zero hours to +twenty-four hours, with the sign plus towards the east and minus +towards the west, it will be advantageous to make the civil day of +Greenwich coincide with the universal day, if we would have an easy +formula for passing from local to cosmic time. + +So many of the resolutions submitted to the Congress by Mr. RUTHERFURD +having been approved one after another, the plan that our colleague +has carefully studied will be accepted in its entirety; but it will be +impossible for the Conference to know in all their details other plans +which, perhaps, would not be less worthy of attention. + +Is the resolution adopted by a majority of the Congress the best? +Should we reach the end of the reform in complete harmony with the +hopes of all the governments represented here? On the contrary +hypothesis, it seems to me, that the sessions of this Congress will +only be another step towards that reform, but not the reform itself. + +If the majority of the Congress, in accordance with the logical +consequence of its work, adopts as the cosmic time the civil time of +Greenwich, that decision will be contrary to the most ancient ideas of +the human race. For many centuries the day has been reckoned as +starting from the east, and the world will not easily abandon the +traditions of its predecessors. + +The civil day of the world commences near the anti-meridian of Rome, +Greenwich, or Paris. Therefore it is not natural that one of these +meridians should be chosen as the point of departure of dates. + +Really, one phenomenon cannot be the commencement of a series of +phenomena if there is another which precedes it periodically. + +If the majority, as is logical, adopts the formula, "cosmic time=local +time-longitude," and applies in the calculation longitude with the +signs plus and minus, according as the longitude is east and west, the +system will be source of frequent mistakes, and those, in their turn, +will be the cause of disastrous accidents, especially on railroads. + +Let us take the 31st of December, for instance. It is three o'clock at +a point nine hours east of Greenwich; at the same moment they will +count at Greenwich eighteen civil hours of the 30th of the same month, +after the actual manner of reckoning the civil day, and that civil +time of Greenwich will be the cosmic time. + +Apply to the proposed example the formula which I suppose the majority +of the Congress will adopt, and the result will be a negative +quantity, minus six hours--a result not sufficiently comprehensible in +itself, and one that could not be easily applied by the general +public. + +Can a majority prevail in questions, such as those we are speaking of, +simply by the force of numbers? The whole world for several centuries +thought that the earth was the centre of our planetary system; in +fact, until an insignificant minority rose against this theory, for a +long time considered by their ancestors indisputable. + +I will conclude by expressing my opinion upon the subject with which +the Congress is occupied. My opinion is not new, in spite of its +having been modified in the course of our sitting. The works of our +eminent colleague and indefatigable propagandist, Mr. SANDFORD +FLEMING, the resolution of the Conference at Rome, the valuable +opinions of Messrs. Faye, Otto Struve, Beaumont de Boutiller, Hugo +Gylden, the scientific work of Monsieur Chancourtois, and the report +which M. Gaspari has just presented to the Academy of Sciences of +Paris are the text upon which I base the simplest and most practical +method of solving the problem, namely, to adopt as the prime meridian +for cosmic time and longitude a meridian near the point at which our +dates change, and to reckon longitude from zero hours to twenty-four +hours towards the west, contrary to the movement of the earth. The +formula would be then: Cosmic time = local time + longitude. + +I think that the best way of finding cosmic time in relation to local +time and longitude is to add a quantity to the civil hour of each +point of the globe. + +But as the majority of this Congress, so worthy of respect, admits no +modifications of the system which we may call Greenwich, let us lay +aside the question of longitude and consider cosmic time separately. + +I have the honor, therefore, to present the following resolutions, and +I ask the Congress to consider them, and to accept them as a means of +compromise: + +I. We agree to choose as the prime meridian for cosmic time that +meridian near which the civil day of the world commences, namely, the +anti-meridian of Rome, Greenwich, or Havre. + +II. The cosmic day consists of twenty-four hours, and commences at +midnight of the prime meridian. + +III. The earth is divided from the initial meridian into twenty-four +hour-spaces, counted in a direction contrary to the movement of the +earth from _0h._ to _24h_. + +We shall, then, have the following formula: T = t + R, where R +represents the difference reckoned from _0h._ to _24h_. between the +local time of the prime meridian and the local time of each point of +the globe; T the Cosmic Time and t the local time. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair would ask the Delegate of Spain, Mr. +PASTORIN, whether he offers his resolution as an amendment to that +offered by his colleague, Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. Mr. Chairman, the amendment +last offered is not intended to interfere with my proposition. + +The PRESIDENT then put the question to the Conference upon the +amendment offered by the Delegate of Spain, Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL. + +Upon a vote being taken, the amendment was lost. + +The PRESIDENT. The question now recurs upon the amendment offered by +the Delegate of Spain, Mr. PASTORIN. That amendment runs as follows: + + "I. We agree to choose as the prime meridian for cosmic time + that meridian near which the civil day of the world + commences, namely, the anti-meridian of Greenwich or Havre. + + "II. The cosmic day consists of twenty-four hours, and + commences at midnight of the prime meridian. + + "III. The earth is divided from the initial meridian into + twenty-four hour spaces, counted in a direction contrary to + the movement of the earth. + + "We shall, then, have the following formula: F = A + R where + R represents the difference reckoned from 0h. to 24h. + between the local time of the prime meridian and the local + time of each point of the globe; F the cosmic time, and A + the local time." + +The PRESIDENT. In order that this amendment may be presented more +clearly to the Conference, I would propose a recess for a few minutes. +If there be no objection, a recess will be taken. + +No objection being made, the Conference took a recess. + + * * * * * + +The PRESIDENT having called the Conference to order stated that, +unless further remarks were presented, the vote would be taken upon +the resolution offered by the Delegate of Spain, Mr. PASTORIN. + +No objection being made, the vote was then taken upon the amendment, +and it was lost. + +The PRESIDENT. The question now recurs upon the resolution offered by +the Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT, which will again be read. +The resolution is as follows: + + "The Conference recommends as initial point for the + universal hour and the cosmic day the mean mid-day of + Greenwich, coinciding with the moment of midnight or the + beginning of the civil day at the meridian 12 hours or 180 deg. + from Greenwich. The universal hours are to be counted from + 0 up to 24 hours." + +Professor ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I intended +to speak on the resolution offered by the Delegate of the United +States, Mr. RUTHERFURD, but the remarks which I have put together +apply equally well to the amendment to that resolution now offered by +the Delegate of Sweden, which is identical with one of the +recommendations of the Conference at Rome, because, in fact, in my +remarks I discuss these propositions alternatively. Therefore, with +your permission, I will lay before you the observations which I wish +to make. + +I beg leave to express my entire approval of the resolution which has +been laid before the Conference by Mr. RUTHERFURD. There is only one +point involved in the resolution which seems to call for or even to +admit of any discussion. + +It appears evident that the universal day and date should coincide +with the day and date of the initial meridian. The only question, +therefore, which we have now to decide is, when shall this day of the +initial meridian be considered to commence? And the proper answer to +be given to this question does not appear to me in any degree +doubtful. + +In modern times it is the universal practice to reckon dates by _days_ +and not by _nights_. The word "day" is used in two different +significations, being sometimes applied to the period of daylight and +sometimes to the period of 24 hours, including both day and night; but +in whichever of these senses the word _day_ is employed, the term +mid-day has one and the same signification, viz., the instant of noon +or of the sun's passage over the meridian. In the present case, where +we are concerned with mean time, mid-day means the instant of mean +noon, or of the passage of the mean sun over the meridian. + +Accordingly, the civil day, by which all the ordinary affairs of life +are regulated, begins and ends at midnight, and has its middle or +mid-day at noon. + +It appears, then, most natural that the universal day should follow +this example, and should begin and end at the instant of mean midnight +on the initial meridian, and should have its middle at the instant of +mean noon on the same meridian. + +I fail, therefore, to see the force of the reasons which induced the +Conference at Rome to recommend that the universal day should commence +at _noon_ on the initial meridian. + +The only ground for making this recommendation is that astronomers, +instead of adopting the use of the civil day, like the rest of the +world, are accustomed to employ a so-called astronomical day, which +begins at noon. The advantage thus gained is that they avoid the +necessity of changing the date in the course of the night, which is +the time of their greatest activity; but this advantage is surely very +small when compared with the inconvenience of having two conflicting +methods of reckoning dates, and of being obliged to specify, in giving +any date, which mode of reckoning is adopted. If this diversity is to +disappear, it is plain that it is the astronomers who will have to +yield. They are few in number compared with the rest of the world. +They are intelligent, and could make the required change without any +difficulty, and with very slight or no inconvenience. + +The requisite changes in the astronomical and nautical ephemerides +would be easily made. As these ephemerides are published several years +in advance, there would be plenty of time for navigators to become +familiar with the proposed change in time-reckoning before they were +called upon to employ it in their calculations. + +I believe that they would soon come to think it more convenient and +natural to reckon according to civil time than according to the +present astronomical time. I am told that this practice is already +universally adopted in keeping the log on board ship. To avoid any +chance of mistake, it should be prominently stated on each page of the +ephemerides that mean time reckoned from mean _midnight_ is kept +throughout. + +Whether or not astronomers agree to adopt the civil reckoning, I think +we ought to adopt the instant of midnight on the initial meridian as +the commencement of the universal day. + +The relation between the local time at any place and the universal +time would then be expressed by the simple formula: + +Local time = universal time + longitude. + +Whereas, if the proposition of the Roman Conference were adopted, we +should have to employ the less simple formula: + +Local time = universal time + longitude - 12 hours. + +In recommending the mean noon at Greenwich as the commencement of the +universal day and of cosmopolitan dates, the Roman Conference refers +to this instant as coinciding with the instant of midnight, or with +the commencement of the civil day, under the meridian situated at 12 +h. or 180 deg. from Greenwich. Now, this reference to the civil day and +date on the meridian opposite to Greenwich appears not only to be +unnecessary and to be wanting in simplicity, but it may also lead to +ambiguity in the date, as expressed in universal days, unless this +ambiguity be avoided by making an arbitrary assumption. No doubt the +Greenwich mean noon of January 1 coincides with midnight on the +meridian 12 h. from Greenwich, but with what midnight. What shall be +its designation and the corresponding date given to the universal day? +Shall we call the instant above defined the commencement of the +universal day denoted by January 1 or by January 2? Each of these +dates has equal claims to be chosen, and the choice between them must +clearly be an arbitrary one, and may, therefore, lead to ambiguity. + +By adopting Greenwich mean midnight as the commencement of the +universal day, bearing the same designation as the corresponding +Greenwich civil day, all ambiguity is avoided, and there is no need to +refer to the opposite meridian at all. + +Those are the ideas I wish to express with regard to the commencement +of the universal day. + +I may mention in connection with this subject that Professor +Valentiner is one of the gentlemen who were invited, a week or two +ago, to attend the meetings of this Conference, in order that, if +requested, they might express their opinions from a scientific +standpoint upon the questions before it; but as Professor Valentiner +had to leave Washington before our sessions were at an end, I thought +it would be expedient to ask him for his opinion in writing upon the +matter which is now pending before this Conference. He has written a +letter in German, expressing his opinion. I have caused that letter to +be translated into English, and if the Conference allows me I will +read it. + +The PRESIDENT. If there be no objection to the proposition of the +Delegate of Great Britain the letter will be read. + +No objection being made, Professor ADAMS continued: It is well known +that Professor Valentiner is an eminent practical astronomer, and I +think that any opinion coming from him on this subject, which +interests astronomers very much, will be considered of great weight. +The letter runs as follows: + + CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., + _October 12th, 1884_. + + HONORED SIR: You had the kindness to ask me for my views as + to the choice of the moment for the beginning of the day. As + I cannot remain longer in Washington, I allow myself thus + briefly to write to you. + + When, as in the present case, the object is to introduce + uniformity in the time-reckoning of the astronomical and the + civil world, I am of the opinion that it is the astronomer + only that must give way. For all purposes of civil life one + cannot begin the day in the middle of the day-light--that is + to say, in the middle of that interval during which work is + prosecuted. In general it appears to me natural that the + middle of the day, and not the beginning of the day, should + be indicated by the highest position of the sun which + governs all civil life. In fact, it would in civil life be + simply impossible to bring about a change of date in the + middle of the daylight. For the astronomer there certainly + exist difficulties. His activity occurs mostly in the civil + night, and he, therefore, has to make the change of date in + the midst of his observations; and this difficulty is + increased, since he almost exclusively observes according to + sidereal time, so that often a computation must be made in + order to ascertain whether the observations were made before + or after the midnight or moment of change of date. However, + this difficulty can be overcome by habit, and I believe that + scarcely any doubt will occur as soon as a uniformnity of + expression has established itself through the astronomical + world. As regards the ephemerides, we already employ, in + fact, the beginning of the date at midnight, since the + places of planets and comets, are generally computed for 12 + o'clock midnight of Berlin or Greenwich or other places. + But these are points that have themselves long since been + discussed. + + I scarcely need to say anything further. I would not + hesitate for a moment to give the preference to making the + change of date take place at midnight, according to civil + reckoning, in order to establish a uniformity with the + customs of civil life. + + It, perhaps, may be important to remark that we could not + introduce this change immediately, since the ephemerides are + already computed and published for three or four years in + advance. It would, therefore, be well to fix the epoch of + change of normal dates to some distant time, such as 1890. + + I remain, very respectfully yours, + + W. VALENTINER. + +I may also mention that the practice that prevails among astronomers +at the present time of reckoning the day from noon is by no means +without exceptions. There are very important astronomical tables which +reckon the day from midnight; for instance, in Delambre's Tables of +the Sun; in Burg's, Burckhardt's and Damoiseau's Tables of the Moon; +in Bouvard's Tables of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, and in Damoiseau's +Tables of Jupiter's Satellites, mean midnight is employed as the epoch +of the tables. I may also mention that Laplace, in his Mecanique +Celeste, adopts the mean midnight of Paris as the origin from which +his day is reckoned. Hence there are great authorities, even among +astronomers, in favor of commencing the day at midnight. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. Sir, I observe that a +very eminent American authority is present in this room, I mean +Professor Hilgard. As he was invited to attend the meeting of this +Conference, I suggest that the views of the Conference may be taken, +whether he may not be invited to express his opinion on the point now +under consideration. + +The PRESIDENT. With the concurrence of the Conference, the Chair will +be most happy to ask Professor Hilgard to do us the favor to give us +his opinion upon the question now before the Conference. + +No objection was made to the proposition of the President. + +Professor HILGARD arose and said. I thank you and the Conference very +much for this invitation, and General STRACHEY for having proposed it +to the Conference, but my opinion has been squarely expressed both in +French and English in the report of a certain committee, that I am in +favor of midnight at Greenwich as the beginning of the universal day, +and of longitude being calculated both ways from Greenwich. I really +cannot add anything to what has been said in the arguments already +presented by Professor ADAMS, and I do not think that I ought to +detain this Conference a moment by repeating the opinion he has +expressed to all the experts in this matter. + +I beg you will excuse me for not further ventilating my views. Absence +from the city, I regret, has prevented me from availing myself of the +invitation earlier. + +Sir FREDERICK EVANS, Delegate of Great Britain. I have the honor to +address the Conference once more upon the practical aspect of the +subject before us as affecting the large body of navigators. I wish to +say upon this point that there appears to me, in the address of my +colleague, Professor ADAMS, somewhat of a mixing together of two +subjects. + +The question immediately before us, as I understand it, is whether the +commencement of the universal day shall be midnight or noon of the +initial meridian. That is what we practically have to decide. Now, I +gather from Professor ADAMS' remarks that upon this question the +ephemerides which we now employ have some important bearing. I do not +think that that should influence us, for this reason, that the next +resolution which will come before the Conference "expresses the hope +that as soon as may be practicable the astronomical and nautical days +will be arranged everywhere to begin at midnight." + +This resolution, so far as I understand it, will be the warning to +astronomers to begin to make the changes growing out of this +resolution which may be necessary for seamen. Therefore, I consider +that we may at once proceed to vote upon the question whether the day +is to commence at midnight or noon, without any reference to the +practice or interests of navigation. In reality, it does not appear to +me to affect that subject at all. + +I have given some consideration to the practical bearings of this +question--whether it should be midnight or noon. What we ought to +decide is what will be the least inconvenience to the world at large. +I have ascertained from two of my colleagues, who have given this +matter the greatest consideration, that the adoption of midnight will +really cause less confusion than noon, for this reason, that all the +great colonies of the world would be less affected; that is to say, +that the times they are using now would be less affected by midnight +than by noon. That being so, it appears to me to be an essential point +in coming to a settlement of this question. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. I have only to say that I have +listened to the remarks about navigators changing the reckoning of +time. I do not know whether there are many navigators here, but it is +a fact that seamen reckon the day from noon. + +The PRESIDENT. I beg the pardon of the Delegate of Spain; but, in the +United States navy, we reckon the day from midnight. + +Mr. RUIZ DEL ARBOL, Delegate of Spain. I am speaking generally. Now, +there is some reason for this rule among seamen, for the only way to +find out the position of a ship is to observe the meridian altitude of +the sun; and everybody requires to know, at sea, what has taken place +in the course of every day, from the beginning to the last moment of +the day; and I think that whatever the rule may be in the United +States navy, navigators generally will count their time as they count +it now. + +I think that navigators will not change the rule now in force, no +matter what we may adopt in this Conference. + +Commander SAMPSON, Delegate of the United States. I think, Mr. +President and gentlemen, that the change to the adoption of the +universal day, beginning at midnight, would be a very decided +advantage to navigators. The quantities as now given in the nautical +ephemerides are for noon of the meridian for which they are computed, +as Washington, Greenwich, &c. It is very evident that every navigator, +in making use of the quantities given in the nautical almanac, must +find the corresponding time at Greenwich, wherever he may be on the +surface of the earth. Consequently, if we suppose that navigators are +pretty equally distributed, one-half on one side of the earth and +one-half on the other side, the Greenwich day for one portion would be +the local night for the other. + +The usual observations made by navigators at sea consist in a meridian +observation of the sun for latitude, and a morning and possibly +afternoon observation of the sun near the prime vertical for +longitude. Consequently all navigators, when in the vicinity of the +initial meridian, might have their day's work occurring in two +astronomical days. On the other hand, those navigators who were in the +neighborhood of the 180th meridian would have all their work of one +day occurring in the same astronomical day. The first would have the +advantage of interpolating for short intervals only, while the second +would be obliged to interpolate for much larger intervals. + +Consequently, on the whole, it would make no difference to navigators +whether the quantities given in the nautical almanacs were for noon or +midnight of the initial meridian. Another consideration, however, +would make it very advantageous to have the quantities given for +midnight. That consideration is this: if midnight were chosen, then +the universal day would be identical with the nautical almanac day, +and navigators would have only ship time and universal time to deal +with, while, if the quantities were given for noon, they would have +astronomical time, in addition to the other two. This consideration I +think a very important one. + +The PRESIDENT. The question will be on the amendment offered by the +Delegate of Sweden, Count LEWENHAUPT, which has been read. + +The vote was then taken, as follows: + +States voting in the affirmative: + + Austria, Sweden, + Italy, Switzerland, + Netherlands, Turkey. + +In the negative: + + Brazil, Japan, + Chili, Liberia, + Colombia, Mexico, + Costa Rica, Paraguay, + Great Britain, Russia, + Guatemala, United States, + Hawaii, Venezuela. + +Abstaining from voting: + + France, San Domingo, + Germany, Spain. + +Ayes, 6; noes, 14; abstaining from voting, 4. + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the amendment was lost. + +The question then recurred on the original resolution offered by the +Delegate of the United States. + +RUSTEM EFFENDI, Delegate of Turkey. Mr. President, I have listened +with a great deal of interest and attention to the learned arguments +bearing upon the proposition under discussion offered by the Hon. Mr. +RUTHERFURD, the Delegate of the United States for the adoption of a +universal hour. + +This question is of such high importance, and of such interest to +every one, that I consider it my duty to make a few remarks upon the +subject, as I wish to state clearly the position my government +proposes to take in the matter. + +I do not pretend to discuss scientifically this subject, which has +already been so ably treated by several of the gentlemen present. My +task is of a different and inferior order. I merely propose to briefly +examine the manner in which the proposition ought to be made, in order +that it may be adopted by our respective governments. + +The question of a universal hour is not of equal interest and +importance to all. The United States of America, although +comparatively a young nation, have done so much in the pursuit of +science and scientific investigation that they must have more than a +common interest on the subject. The vast expanse of their country, +stretching over sixty degrees of longitude, with a difference of time +of more than four hours, almost compels them to adopt a universal +hour. The thousands of miles of railroad tracts covering this +continent, facilitating the intercourse between distant places, +necessitate a uniform system to avoid confusion. It was, therefore, +natural that the United States and Canada should have taken the lead +in proposing such a reform, which would likewise benefit other +countries, as, for instance, the British Empire, Russia, and Germany. +But there are, at the same time, other countries, like France, Spain, +Italy, Scandinavia, etc., that may content themselves with a national +hour, owing to the small difference in time within their dominion. For +them, the adoption of a universal hour would only be of secondary +importance, because it would only affect their international +relations. + +I hope I may be permitted to remind you of the conclusions arrived at +by a commission consisting of scientists, railroad and telegraph +officials, &c., appointed by the French Government to express their +opinion upon this subject. If I am not mistaken, they recommended a +universal hour, stating, however, at the same time, that the benefit +to be derived from such an hour would be only of secondary importance +for their country. The learned Delegate from France, Professor +JANSSEN, will probably be kind enough to inform us whether I am right +or not. + +The few remarks I have made bring me to the point I wanted to consider +more specially. I mean that the originators of the pending +proposition, and those directly interested in it, should be induced to +modify their proposition somewhat if they wish it to be adopted by +other countries. In other words, to leave to each country the greatest +latitude possible in adopting a universal hour. + +With regard to the Ottoman Empire, I must state that it is placed in a +somewhat exceptional position in this respect, and is, therefore, +obliged to ask for more latitude even than the other countries +concerned. + +In our country we have two modes of reckoning time: one from noon to +noon, or from midnight to midnight, as everywhere else, (heure a la +franque), the other (heure a la turque) from sundown to sundown. In +this latter case the hours count from the moment when the disk of the +sun is bisected by the horizon, and we count twice from _0h._ to +_12h._, instead of counting without any interruption from _0h._ to +_24h._ We are well aware of the inconveniences this system of counting +produces, because _0h._ necessarily varies from day to day, for the +interval of time between one sunset and the one following is not +exactly 24 hours. According to the season the sun will set earlier or +later, and our watches and clocks at Constantinople will be at most +about three minutes fast or slow from day to day, according to the +season. + +Reasons of a national and religious character prevent us, however, +from abandoning this mode of counting our time. The majority of our +population is agricultural, working in the fields, and prefer to count +to sunset; besides, the hours for the Moslem prayers are counted from +sundown to sundown. + +Therefore it is impossible for us to abandon our old system of time, +although in our navy we generally use the customary reckoning or +"heure a la franque." + +Finally, permit me to state that I am ready to cast my vote in favor +of a universal hour, with the precise understanding that the universal +hour will have to be limited to international transactions, and that +will not interfere with the rules up to now in force in my own +country. + +Before resuming my seat I wish to thank the President and the members +of the Conference for their kind indulgence in having listened to my +remarks. + +The PRESIDENT, The Chair would remind the Delegate of Turkey that the +following resolution was passed at our last session: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference propose the adoption of a + universal day for all purposes for which it may be found + convenient, and which shall not interfere with the use of + local or other standard time where desirable." + +The very difficulty which the Delegate of Turkey anticipates was thus +carefully provided for in the resolution just read. + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. To my mind it is of +very great importance that this resolution should be adopted. I have +already given generally my views on this question, and therefore I do +not intend to trespass on the attention of the Conference beyond +saying a very few words. From what I have already ventured to submit, +it will be obvious that I hold that all our usages in respect to the +reckoning of time are arbitrary. Of one thing there can be no doubt. +There is only one, and there can only be one flow of time, although +our inherited usages have given us a chaotic number of arbitrary +reckonings of this one conception. There can be no doubt of another +matter; the progress of civilization requires a simple and more +rational system than we now have. We have, it seems to me, reached a +stage when a unification of the infinite number of time-reckonings is +demanded. + +This unification will be, to a large extent, accomplished if the +resolution be adopted, and by adopting it, it seems to me to be in the +power of the Conference to confer lasting benefits on the world. + +Universal time will in no way interfere with local time. Each separate +community may continue the usages of the past in respect to local +time, or may accept whatever change the peculiar conditions in each +case may call for. But the use of universal time will not necessarily +involve a change; it will rather be something added to what all now +possess. It will be a boon to those who avail themselves of it. + +To the east of the prime meridian all possible local days will be in +advance; to the west all possible days will be behind the universal +day. + +The universal day, as defined by the resolution, will at once be the +mean of all possible local days, and the standard to which they will +all be related by a certain known interval, that interval being +determined by the longitude. + +In my judgment, the resolution is an exceedingly proper one, and the +Conference will act wisely in passing it. + +The PRESIDENT. In taking the vote upon the resolution, it is requested +that the roll be called. + +The following States voted in the affirmative: + + Brazil, Liberia, + Chili, Mexico, + Colombia, Netherlands, + Costa Rica, Paraguay, + Great Britain, Turkey, + Guatemala, United States, + Hawaii, Venezuela. + Japan, + +States voting in the negative: + + Austria-Hungary, Spain. + +Abstaining from voting: + + France, San Domingo, + Germany, Sweden, + Italy, Switzerland. + Netherlands, + +Ayes, 15; noes, 2; abstained, 7. + +The PRESIDENT then announced that the resolution was passed. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I now +present for the consideration of the Conference the following +resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference expresses the hope that as + soon as may be practicable the astronomical and nautical + days will be arranged everywhere to begin at midnight." + +Before action is taken upon this resolution, I would make a verbal +correction. I think that the word "_mean_" ought to be introduced +before the word "_midnight_" and I therefore alter my resolution in +that way. + +The vote was then taken upon the resolution just offered, and it was +carried without division. + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair begs leave to state that the protocols in +French and in English of the first and second sessions of the +Conference, have been examined, and are now before the Conference for +adoption. If any Delegate wishes to make any correction in these +protocols, he can submit it to the Conference, and, if approved, it +can be immediately made. + +No objection was raised, and the President put the question to the +Conference on the adoption of the protocols of the first and second +sessions in French and English, and they were unanimously adopted. + +M. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. Mr. President, we have been directed +to present for the approval of the Congress the desire that studies +relative to the application of the decimal system to the division of +angular space and of time should be resumed in order that this +application may be extended to all cases--and they are numerous and +important--where it presents real advantages. + +I would say that a similar desire upon the same subject was expressed +by the Conference at Rome. + +You are aware, gentlemen, that at the time of the establishment of the +metrical system the decimal division had been extended to the +measurement of angular space and of time. Numerous instruments were +even made according to the new system. As to time, the reform was +introduced too abruptly, and, we might say, without enough discretion, +and it came into conflict with old habits and was quickly abandoned; +but as to the division of angular space, in which the decimal division +presented many advantages, the reform sustained itself much better, +and is still used for certain purposes. So, the division of the +circumference into 400 parts was adopted by Laplace, and we find it +constantly employed in the Mecanique Celeste. Delambre and Mechain +used, for the measurement of the are of the meridian from which the +metre was derived, repeating circles divided into "_grades_." Finally, +in our own time, Colonel Perrier, Chief of the Geographical Division +of our Department of War, has used instruments decimally divided, and +at the present time logarithmic tables appropriate to that method of +division are in course of calculation. + +But it is especially when it is a question of making long +calculations of angular space that the decimal system presents great +advantages. In this respect we find, so to speak, only one opinion +expressed by scientists. + +The Conference at Rome, which brought together so many astronomers, +geodetists, eminent topographers--that is to say, the men most +competent and most interested in the question--expressed in respect to +it a desire, the high authority of which it is impossible to mistake. + +It is, therefore, now evident that the decimal system, which has +already done such good service in the measurements of length, volume, +and weight, is called upon to render analagous services in the domain +of angular dimensions and of time. + +I know that this question of the decimal division encounters +legitimate doubts, principally as to its application to the +measurement of time. It is feared that we want to destroy habits fixed +for centuries, and upset established usages. + +In this respect, gentlemen, I think that we ought to be fully +satisfied. The teachings of the past will be respected. It will be +perceived that if we failed at the time of the Revolution, it is +because we put forward a reform which was not limited to the domain of +science, but which did violence to the habits of daily life. It is +necessary to take the question up again, but with due regard to the +limits which common sense and experience would prescribe to wise and +well-informed men. + +I think that the character of the reform would be well defined by +saying that it is intended especially to make a new effort towards the +application of the decimal system in scientific matters. + +But, gentlemen, I have not to discuss here the bearing of the reforms +which the study of this question will lead to. It is sufficient for me +to show that there is in that direction an indispensable step to be +made, and to ask you to express the desire that the question should be +studied. I do not think that there is anybody here who would desire to +oppose a request which does not in truth commit us to any specific +solution of the question, and which appears so opportune at the +present time. I would ask the President to be so kind as to submit the +following proposition to the Conference: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference expresses the hope that the + studies designed to regulate and extend the application of + the decimal system to the division of angular space and of + time shall be resumed, so as to permit the extension of this + application to all cases where it presents real advantages." + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair is of opinion that the Conference was called +for a special and somewhat narrow purpose, and the consideration of +the decimal system, proposed by the Delegate of France, seems to it +foreign to that purpose and beyond the scope of the Conference. The +President, however, simply acts for the Conference, and if the +Conference shall decide to take the matter up, he will acquiesce, but +it strikes the Chair that the resolution is out of order. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. Sir, I desire to express my +personal views on this subject. I should be very happy to join the +Delegate of France in voting for such a resolution, but I fear that +there is a feeling among many of the delegates that it is not within +our competence to discuss it. If that is so, I would suggest whether +it might not be better that it should not be pressed to a vote. It +would be a pity if there should be on the records of the proceedings +of this Conference anything in the shape of a vote against the +subject-matter of this resolution. I consequently think that if +delegates have formed any decided opinion on the subject, they might +express their opinion without voting; but I repeat that it would be a +great pity if a negative vote should be taken on the subject of the +decimal system of dividing the circle and time, particularly as it was +received with unanimity in the Conference at Rome. + +Prof. ADAMS, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I may say that +while I agree with Gen. STRACHEY in thinking that I should not like to +vote against the proposition brought forward by our eminent colleague, +Mr. JANSSEN, yet I feel it is somewhat beyond the scope of the +subjects which we have to discuss, and, therefore, I should abstain +from voting. I quite recognize that, for certain purposes, the decimal +division of the circle is very valuable. + +The PRESIDENT. Unless the Conference decides to entertain this +proposition, the Chair suggests that no discussion shall take place. +If any member present desires to bring the matter up, he can do so by +taking an appeal from the decision just made. + +Gen. STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. Do I understand, sir, that +the subject is dropped? + +The PRESIDENT. The Chair has decided that the resolution offered by +the Delegate of France is out of order, and unless a difference of +opinion is expressed by the Conference, the subject will be dropped. +The Chair wishes to treat with the most distinguished deference the +Delegate of France, because we are all most happy to do honor to him +in every way. Does the Chair understand that the Delegate of France +appeals from its decision, and wishes to take the sense of the +Conference upon it? + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, replied in the affirmative. + +Commodore FRANKLIN, Delegate of Colombia. Mr. President, I would like +hear the resolution read again. If it be merely a suggestion to +consider the subject of the decimal system, I should like to know it. + +The vote was then taken upon the appeal of the Delegate of France from +the decision of the Chair. + +States voting in favor of the appeal: + + Austria-Hungary, Netherlands, + Brazil, San Domingo, + Chili, Spain, + France, Switzerland, + Italy, Turkey, + Japan, Venezuela. + Mexico, + +States voting against the appeal: + + Colombia, Hawaii, + Costa Rica, Liberia, + Germany, Paraguay, + Great Britain, United States. + Guatemala, + +Abstaining from voting: + + Russia, Sweden. + +Ayes, 13; noes, 9; abstained, 2. + +The PRESIDENT. The appeal from the decision of the Chair is sustained, +and the proposition offered by the Delegate of France is now before +the Conference. If no delegate wishes to speak upon the resolution, +the vote will be taken. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France. Mr. President, before the definitive +vote I desire to again call my colleague's attention to the fact that +it is a question here of the much-needed extension of the decimal +system, an extension desired by a large number of the highest +scientific authorities and of the most distinguished observers. As I +said only a moment ago, the Congress at Rome, whose high authority in +the matters which have occupied us is acknowledged, was a still higher +authority as to astronomy, geodesy, topography; that is to say, in the +domain to which our proposition relates. At Rome a wish, similar to +that which we ask you to formulate, was expressed. Besides, if we +observe that it is a question here only of expressing the desire that +studies should be resumed upon the matter in question, is there anyone +among us who would wish to oppose the liberal proposition which +prejudges nothing in the solution of the question, but which will +surely lead to important progress. I do not doubt, then, that all our +colleagues will desire to unite in a resolution, which by its object +and by the manner in which it is expressed, ought, it appears to me, +to unite the suffrages of all. + +No further remarks were made upon the resolution, and the vote was +accordingly taken on the question whether it should be adopted. + +States voting in the affirmative: + + Austria-Hungary, Mexico, + Brazil, Netherlands, + Chili, Paraguay, + Colombia, Russia, + Costa Rica, San Domingo, + France, Spain, + Great Britain, Switzerland, + Hawaii, Turkey, + Italy, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + Liberia, + + States voting in the negative: None. + + Abstained from voting: + + Germany, Sweden. + Guatemala, + +Ayes, 21; noes, 0; abstained, 3. + +The PRESIDENT. The resolution of the Delegate of France is, therefore, +adopted. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. Sir, before concluding +the session to-day, I hope that the Delegates will be in a position to +listen to the two resolutions which I now desire to propose, and which +I think will tend to clear up a good deal of the discussion which we +have had. The first of these resolutions is as follows: + + "The Conference adopts the opinion that, for the purposes of + civil life, it will be convenient to reckon time, according + to the local civil time at successive meridians destributed + round the earth, at time-intervals of either ten minutes, or + some integral multiple of ten minutes, from the prime + meridian; but that the application of this principle be + left to the various nations or communities concerned by it." + +This resolution, as it stands, embraces all the practical suggestions +which have been made on the subject up to the present time. The only +limitation it proposes to put upon the adoption of what may be called +local standard time is that the breaks shall be at definite intervals +of ten minutes or more. + +The second resolution which I propose is a very simple one. It is +this: + + "The arrangements for adopting the universal day in + international telegraphy should be left for the + consideration of the international telegraph congress." + +There has been established by an international arrangement a congress +which meets every two years to settle questions of international +telegraphy, and I think that the precise manner in which universal +time may be adapted to telegraphy would very properly be left to that +congress. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia. On behalf of the Delegates of +Russia, I beg to make the following remarks: + +We have already expressed the opinion that the universal time could be +properly used for international postal, railway, and telegraphic +communications. But it is to be understood that local or any other +standard time, which is intimately connected with daily life, will +necessarily be used side by side with the universal time. + +It has been proposed, in order to establish an easier connection +between local and universal time, to accept twenty-four meridians at +equal distances of 1 hour or 15 deg., or to divide the whole circumference +of the earth by meridians at distances of 10 minutes of time or 21/2 deg.. + +This question not yet having been made the subject of special and +thorough investigation by the respective Governments, and not having +been discussed at the International Conference at Rome, we believe +that it would as yet be difficult to express, in regard to Europe, any +positive opinion on the practical convenience of the above mentioned +or other possible methods of dividing the globe into equal time-zones. + +We would suggest to recommend that the system of counting the hours of +the universal day from 0 to 24, which probably will be adopted for the +universal day, might also be introduced for counting the local time +side by side with the old method of counting the hours of 0 to 12 A. +M. and 0 to 12 p. m. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate of Sweden. I have had the honor to transmit +to the members of the Conference a resume of a report on this subject +made by Professor Gylden, an eminent Swedish astronomer, whose name, +no doubt, is familiar to many of the Delegates. The system proposed by +Mr. Gylden is similar to the one now proposed by the Delegate for +Great Britain. The only difference is that Mr. Gylden, in explaining +the system, recommends the adoption of equidistant meridians, +separated by intervals of 21/2 deg., or 10 minutes of time, while the +proposition of the Delegate for Great Britain is so worded that this +distance may be greater than 10 minutes. This difference is, however, +only a question of detail. The basis of Mr. Gylden's system is that +time meridians should be separated from the standard initial meridian +by either 10 or some integral multiple of 10 minutes. Therefore, I +shall, with pleasure, vote for the resolution of the Delegate from +Great Britain. + +I beg only permission of the Conference to insert Mr. Gylden's report +as part of my remarks: + + _RESUME OF A REPORT read before the Swedish Geographical + Society by Hugo Gylden, Professor of Astronomy and member of + the Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, concerning the use of + Equidistant Meridians for the fixation of the Hour._ + + If we suppose the meridian passing through the Observatory + of Greenwich extended round the globe, this grand circle + will cut the equator, at 180 deg. from Greenwich, at some place + a little east of New Zealand. This meridian falls almost + entirely in the Ocean, and cuts, in any case, not more than + a few small islands in the Pacific. If we suppose, further, + another great circle at 90 deg. from the meridian of Greenwich, + the western half touches very nearly New Orleans, and the + eastern half passes a few minutes from Calcutta. If, now, + the hour is fixed according to these four meridians, we have + four cardinal times--one European, one American, one + Asiatic, and one Oceanic. + + It will, however, be necessary to fix much more than one + civil time for Europe. Therefore I suppose for Europe a + whole system of meridians, which, however, ought not to be + closer together than 21/2 deg.. The difference of time between + these meridians is then only 10 minutes, which, in general, + can be considered as an insignificant difference between the + civil and the true solar time. The starting point of this + system is the meridian of Greenwich. To the west the system + ought to extend 30 minutes; to the east 21/2 hours, or to a + meridian passing near Moscow. + + I suppose as time zero the meridian of Greenwich. The next + meridian to the east is meridian 1. This meridian will not + pass far from the Observatory of Paris, because the + difference between this meridian 1 and the meridian of Paris + is only 40 seconds, an insignificant difference in civil + life. The meridian 1 can be called the meridian of Paris, or + French meridian. + + The second meridian (to the east of Greenwich) does not + touch Utrecht, but will pass so close that the time of this + city could, without the least inconvenience, be regulated as + if the difference of time between Greenwich and Utrecht were + exactly 20 minutes. The second meridian would also pass + almost as close to Amsterdam, (22s.,) and would not be far + from Marseilles, (1m. 29s.) In the vicinity of the third + meridian we have, first, Bern, (16s.;) next, a little + further, Turin, (42s.) The fourth meridian is close to + Hamburg, Altona, and Gottingen, (respectively 6s. and 14s.) + Not far from the same meridian is Christiania, although at a + distance of a little over 2 minutes. The fifth meridian + passes also close to three large cities--Rome, (5s.,) + Leipzig, (26s.,) and Copenhagen, (20s.) + + The sixth meridian does not touch any city of importance, + but it coincides very nearly with the meridian adopted for + the normal civil time in Sweden; the difference amounts only + to 15 seconds. + + The seventh meridian touches the little town of Brieg, in + the vicinity of Breslau, and Koenigsberg is situated two + minutes from the eighth. The ninth meridian passes less than + one minute to the west of Abo, and is situated at a distance + of only a few seconds from Mistra, a town in Greece. The + tenth meridian almost touches Helsingfors in Finland. As + regards the eleventh meridian, I have not been able to find + any locality of importance exactly so situated that it + merits a place in this list, but I can, however, mention + the cities of Minsk and Jassy. The twelfth meridian is + situated 1m. 14s. to the west of the Academy of Sciences, in + St. Petersburg, and the distance from Kiew is about the + same. It is not necessary to continue the enumeration of the + other meridians to the east by intervals of 10 minutes, but + I will mention that Moscow is situated _2h. 30m. 17s._ to + the east of Greenwich, and in consequence the system would + be convenient with regard to this city. + + If we pass to the west of Greenwich, we will find that the + first meridian west touches the little town of Almeria, in + the south of Spain, which country extends to equal distances + on both sides of this meridian, east and west, and the + situation of Portugal is the same with regard to the third + meridian west. + + Then, in all the towns and localities given above, of which + the greater part are of some importance, the local time + coincides so closely with times differing from the Greenwich + time, by whole multiples of 10 minutes, that there is no + reason to fear any real inconvenience if these times were + taken to regulate local reckonings. If the different + countries in Europe should decide to adopt the system which + I have explained, the following system of normal times + would, perhaps, be found convenient: + + EAST OF GREENWICH. + + 1st Meridian, France. + 2d " Holland and Belgium. + 3d " Switzerland. + 4th " Norway, (and Western Germany.) + 5th " Denmark, Germany, and Italy. + 6th " Sweden and Austria. + 7th " Eastern Germany. + 8th " Hungary. + 9th " Poland and Greece. + 10th " Finland, Roumania, and Bulgaria, + 11th " European Turkey. + 12th " Western Russia. + + WEST OF GREENWICH. + + 1st Meridian, Spain. + 3d " Portugal. + + It is, however, not at all necessary that each country + should adopt a single civil time for the whole of its + territory. If several normal times should be adopted, it is + still possible to use the system, provided only the several + times differ from Greenwich time by 10 minutes, 20 minutes, + &c.; but it would be necessary that the clocks should + indicate the times adopted with great precision, and that + the difference did not amount to even a few seconds, because + otherwise the advantages of the adoption of the system would + be materially reduced. + + This circumstance, that it is possible for each country to + adopt the system, and at the same time to maintain a certain + independence with regard to the adoption of the most + convenient normal times, is of considerable importance with + regard to the possibility of introducing a system of this + kind. In fact, it is possible to arrive at the application + of the system in such a way that the transition would hardly + be observed by the great majority of the population. As + regards railroads and telegraphs, the advantages would be + the same as if the local times were everywhere identical, + because it is easy to remember the multiple of 10 minutes + which ought to be added to the time of a given country for + translation into the time of another country. The difference + of time between Sweden and Denmark would, for instance, be + 10 minutes--a circumstance which everybody would soon learn + to remember. A traveller leaving Sweden would then know that + his watch, if correct, shows exactly 10 minutes more than + the clocks of the Danish railroad stations, and if he + continued his voyage to Paris, he would know that the clocks + of Paris are exactly 50 minutes behind the clocks in Sweden. + + I have tried to explain the advantages of this system for + the countries in Europe. I am not able to judge if similar + systems can be considered necessary in America and Asia. It + is possible that North America could be satisfied with one + single normal time, which, if America connects this time + with the European system, ought to be fixed exactly 6 hours + behind Greenwich. While starting from this normal meridian, + it is possible to establish a more or less elaborate system + of equidistant times analogous to the system which has been + proposed for Europe. The same can be said of the civil times + of Asia, which ought to be connected with a normal time 6 + hours in advance of the time of Greenwich. + + Africa ought to belong to the European system. The French + civil time could be adopted for Algeria and Tunis; the time + of Denmark, Germany, and Italy for Tripoli; for Egypt the + time of Russia; the Spanish time for Morocco; at the mouth + of the Congo where, no doubt, sooner or later, an important + centre of civilization will rise, the meridian of Sweden and + Austria could be used; the meridian of Hungary could be + adopted for the Cape of Good Hope. + + It will not be possible to connect South America and + Australia with any of the four cardinal times mentioned, but + some other combination, into which it is not necessary to + enter on this occasion, can easily be found. + +The PRESIDENT. If the Chair hears no objection, the pamphlet referred +by the Delegate of Sweden will be printed as proposed. + +Mr. LEFAIVRE, Delegate of France. Mr. President, I move that the +Conference adjourn until Wednesday, at one o'clock p. m. + +The motion was put and agreed to, and the Conference thereupon +adjourned at 4:30 p. m. until Wednesday, the 22d inst., at one o'clock +p. m. + + + + +VII. + +SESSION OF OCTOBER 22, 1884. + + +The Conference met pursuant to adjournment in the Diplomatic Hall of +the Department of State, at one o'clock p. m. + +Present: + + Austria-Hungary: Baron IGNATZ VON SCHAEFFER. + Brazil: Dr. LUIZ CRULS. + Chili: Mr. F. Y. GORMAS and Mr. A. B. TUPPER. + Colombia: Commodore S. E. FRANKLIN. + Costa Rica: Mr. JUAN FRANCISCO ECHEVERRIA. + France: Mr. A. LEFAIVRE, Mr. JANSSEN. + Germany: Baron H. VON ALVENSLEBEN, Mr. HINCKELDEYN. + Great Britain: Sir F. J. O. EVANS, Prof. J. C. ADAMS, + Lieut.-General STRACHEY, Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING. + Guatemala: Mr. MILES BOOK. + Hawaii: Hon. W. D. ALEXANDER, Hon. LUTHER AHOLO. + Italy: Count ALBERT DE FORESTA. + Japan: Professor KIKUCHI. + Liberia: Mr. WM. COPPINGER. + Mexico: Mr. LEANDRO FERNANDEZ, Mr. ANGEL ANGUIANO. + Netherlands: Mr. G. DE WECKHERLIN. + Paraguay: Capt. JOHN STEWART. + Russia: Mr. C. DE STRUVE, Major-General STEBNITZKI, Mr. + J. DE KOLOGRIVOFF. + San Domingo: Mr. DE J. GALVAN. + Spain: Mr. JUAN VALERA, Mr. EMILIO RUIZ DEL ARBOL, + and Mr. JUAN PASTORIN. + Sweden: Count CARL LEWENHAUPT. + Switzerland: Col. EMILE FREY. + Turkey: RUSTEM EFFENDI. + United States: Rear-Admiral C. R. P. RODGERS, Mr. LEWIS + M. RUTHERFURD, Mr. W. F. ALLEN, Commander W. T. + SAMPSON, Professor CLEVELAND ABBE. + Venezuela: Dr. A. M. SOTELDO. + +Absent: + + Denmark: Mr. C. S. A. DE BILLE. + Salvador: Mr. ANTONIO BATRES. + +The PRESIDENT. The first business before the Conference to-day is the +resolutions offered by the Delegate of Great Britain, General +STRACHEY; but before we proceed the Delegate of San Domingo, Mr. +GALVAN, asks permission, as a matter of privilege, to read a +communication to the Conference. + +Mr. GALVAN, the Delegate of San Domingo. Before the sessions of the +Conference come to a close, I feel compelled to make a declaration +which will be a tribute to the illustrious scientists who have +directed the decisions of the majority of the Conference, and at the +same time a reservation of future freedom of action to the country +which I have the honor to represent. + +The negative vote of San Domingo on the principal question was +entirely in consequence of the proposal by the Delegates of France of +a neutral International Meridian, which was rejected by the +Conference. + +San Domingo, which had no part in the various important interests +connected with the meridian of Greenwich, was bound to regard equity +alone on the occurrence of the disagreement produced by the proposal +of the Delegates of France, a nation renowned for being one of the +first in intellectual progress. + +At the last session I was glad that another proposal of the Delegates +of France was accepted almost unanimously by the Conference. That fact +should be considered as a good omen of a more complete and unanimous +agreement at some future time in behalf of the general interest of +science. + +That day will be saluted with a cordial _hosanna_ by the Republic of +San Domingo, which is always ready freely to give its assent to the +progress of civilization. + +The PRESIDENT. The resolutions offered by the Delegate of Great +Britain, General STRACHEY, are now before the Conference, and will be +read. + +The resolutions were then read, as follows: + + "1. The Conference adopts the opinion that, for the purposes + of civil life, it will be convenient to reckon time + according to the local civil time at successive meridians + distributed round the earth, at time-intervals of either ten + minutes, or some integral multiple of ten minutes, from the + prime meridian; but that the application of this principle + be left to the various nations or communities concerned by + it." + + "2. The arrangements for the use of the universal day in + international telegraphy should be left for the + consideration of the International Telegraph Congress." + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. In consequence of the +opinions I have heard expressed regarding the resolutions which I +brought forward at our last meeting, I feel constrained to say that I +am not disposed to ask the Congress to proceed to a vote upon them. I +find that, although I had reason to think that those resolutions, in +substance, that is in their main features, would be acceptable, still +there is extreme difficulty in finding precise expressions that shall +meet the views of everybody, and there are divisions of opinion as to +the exact manner in which these resolutions should be modified. + +My object in bringing forward the resolutions was mainly to obtain a +decided expression of opinion on the part of the Congress, that the +method of counting local time, so as to harmonize as far as possible +with universal time, should be left for settlement locally; and that, +at the utmost, all the Congress could do would be to suggest some +general principle such as that embodied in my resolution. There was, +of course, never any intention of employing the universal day so as to +interfere with the use of local standard time; and as I shall, no +doubt, elicit a further clear expression of opinion on the part of the +delegates, that there is no intention of bringing about this +interference, I will now, with the permission of the Conference, +withdraw the resolutions. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States. Mr. President, I think +that all of us appreciate the desire which moved the Delegate of Great +Britain to present these resolutions. There is a wish on his part that +we should not seem, in any way, by our action here, to interfere with +the convenience of the world in the use of its present civil time, or +any other time which it may be found convenient to adopt, while he +recognizes that some of the proposals made as to local time are such +as could not be objected to. Still, I cannot refrain from expressing +my satisfaction that he has come to the conclusion that these +resolutions are not necessary. + +I think the whole question is covered by the resolutions already +adopted by this Congress; that our universal day is for those purposes +only for which it may be found convenient, and that it is not to +interfere in any way with the use of civil or other standard time +where that may be found convenient. This seems to me to be so fully +embodied in our resolutions that it is unnecessary to enunciate again +in a negative form the same idea, and I therefore express my +satisfaction that the resolutions are withdrawn. + +Mr. SANDFORD FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. Mr. President, I have +a few words bearing on the subject before the Conference which I wish +to express before any action is taken. + +The PRESIDENT. There will be no subject before the Congress if the +resolutions of General STRACHEY are withdrawn, and the Chair +understands that the object of General STRACHEY in withdrawing these +resolutions was to avoid a discussion upon a subject that could hardly +lead to any satisfactory conclusion. + +If, however, Mr. FLEMING desires to address the Conference, he will be +at liberty to do so. + +Mr. FLEMING, Delegate of Great Britain. I do not wish to intrude any +new matter upon the Conference. What I had to say had a bearing upon +the subject, but, if the resolutions are withdrawn and the Conference +desires to end the matter, I shall not insist upon speaking. + +No objection being made, the resolutions offered by General STRACHEY +at the last session of the Conference were then withdrawn. + +Count LEWENHAUPT, Delegate for Sweden, then proposed that the +resolutions passed by the Conference should be formally recorded in a +Final Act, stating the votes on each resolution that was adopted. + +The Conference took a recess, in order to allow the Delegates to +examine the draft of the Final Act. + +After the recess the Final Act was unanimously adopted, as follows: + + FINAL ACT. + + The President of the United States of America, in pursuance + of a special provision of Congress, having extended to the + Governments of all nations in diplomatic relations with his + own, an invitation to send Delegates to meet Delegates from + the United States in the city of Washington on the first of + October, 1884, for the purpose of discussing, and, if + possible, fixing upon a meridian proper to be employed as a + common zero of longitude and standard of time-reckoning + throughout the whole world, this International Meridian + Conference assembled at the time and place designated; and, + after careful and patient discussion, has passed the + following resolutions: + + I. + + "That it is the opinion of this Congress that it is + desirable to adopt a single prime meridian for all nations, + in place of the multiplicity of initial meridians which now + exist." + + This resolution was unanimously adopted. + + II. + + "That the Conference proposes to the Governments here + represented the adoption of the meridian passing through the + centre of the transit instrument at the Observatory of + Greenwich as the initial meridian for longitude." + + The above resolution was adopted by the following vote: + + In the affirmative: + + Austria-Hungary, Mexico, + Chili, Netherlands, + Colombia, Paraguay, + Costa Rica, Russia, + Germany, Salvador, + Great Britain, Spain, + Guatemala, Sweden, + Hawaii, Switzerland, + Italy, Turkey, + Japan, United States, + Liberia, Venezuela. + + In the negative: + + San Domingo. + + Abstaining from voting: + + Brazil, France. + + Ayes, 22; noes, 1; abstaining, 2. + + III. + + "That from this meridian longitude shall be counted in two + directions up to 180 degrees, east longitude being plus and + west longitude minus." + + This resolution was adopted by the following vote: + + In the affirmative: + + Chili, Liberia, + Colombia, Mexico, + Costa Rica, Paraguay, + Great Britain, Russia, + Guatemala, Salvador, + Hawaii, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + + In the negative: + + Italy, Sweden, + Netherlands, Switzerland. + Spain, + + Abstaining from voting: + + Austria-Hungary, Germany, + Brazil, San Domingo, + France, Turkey. + + Ayes, 14; noes, 5; abstaining, 6. + + IV. + + "That the Conference proposes the adoption of a universal + day for all purposes for which it may be found convenient, + and which shall not interfere with the use of local or other + standard time where desirable." + + This resolution was adopted by the following vote: + + In the affirmative: + + Austria-Hungary, Mexico, + Brazil, Netherlands, + Chili, Paraguay, + Colombia, Russia, + Costa Rica, Salvador, + France, Spain, + Great Britain, Sweden, + Guatemala, Switzerland, + Hawaii, Turkey, + Italy, United States, + Japan, Venezuela. + Liberia, + + Abstaining from voting: + + Germany, San Domingo. + + Ayes, 23; abstaining, 2. + + V. + + "That this universal day is to be a mean solar day; is to + begin for all the world at the moment of mean midnight of + the initial meridian, coinciding with the beginning of the + civil day and date of that meridian; and is to be counted + from zero up to twenty-four hours." + + This resolution was adopted by the following vote: + + In the affirmative: + + Brazil, Liberia, + Chili, Mexico, + Colombia, Paraguay, + Costa Rica, Russia, + Great Britain, Turkey, + Guatemala, United States, + Hawaii, Venezuela. + Japan, + + In the negative: + + Austria-Hungary, Spain. + + Abstaining from voting: + + France, San Domingo, + Germany, Sweden, + Italy, Switzerland. + Netherlands, + + Ayes, 15; noes, 2; abstaining, 7. + + VI. + + "That the Conference expresses the hope that as soon as may + be practicable the astronomical and nautical days will be + arranged everywhere to begin at mean midnight." + + This resolution was carried without division. + + VII. + + "That the Conference expresses the hope that the technical + studies designed to regulate and extend the application of + the decimal system to the division of angular space and of + time shall be resumed, so as to permit the extension of this + application to all cases in which it presents real + advantages." + + The motion was adopted by the following vote: + + In the affirmative: + + Austria-Hungary, Mexico + Brazil, Netherlands, + Chili, Paraguay, + Colombia, Russia, + Costa Rica, San Domingo, + France, Spain, + Great Britain, Turkey, + Hawaii, United States, + Italy, Venezuela. + Japan, + + Abstaining from voting: + + Germany, Sweden. + Guatemala, + + Ayes, 21; abstaining, 3. + + Done at Washington, the 22d of October, 1884. + + C. R. P. RODGERS, + _President_. + + R. STRACHEY, J. JANSSEN, L. CRULS, + _Secretaries._ + + +The following resolution was then adopted unanimously: + + "That a copy of the resolutions passed by this Conference + shall be communicated to the Government of the United States + of America, at whose instance and within whose territory the + Conference has been convened." + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, Delegate of the United States, then presented the +following resolution: + + "_Resolved_, That the Conference adjourn, to meet upon the + call of the President, for the purpose of verifying the + protocols." + +This resolution was then unanimously carried, and the Conference +adjourned at half past three, to meet upon the call of the President. + + + + +VIII. + +SESSION OF NOVEMBER 1, 1884. + + +The Conference met at the call of the President for the approval of +the protocols, as arranged at the last meeting, in the Diplomatic Hall +of the Department of State, at 1 o'clock p. m. + +The PRESIDENT having called the Conference to order, said: The +protocols in French and English, having been examined by the +Secretaries of the Conference, have been submitted to all of the +delegates for perusal. If any delegate should desire to make any +observation on them the opportunity is now given for his doing so. + +RUSTEM EFFENDI, Delegate of Turkey, stated that he desired to change +his vote on the fifth resolution of the Final Act, providing for the +commencement of the universal day, from the affirmative to the +negative. + +No objection being made, the change was ordered to be made. + +The PRESIDENT then said: No further observations having been made on +the protocols, they will now be signed by the Secretaries and the +President. + +Mr. DE STRUVE, Delegate of Russia. Before the Conference terminates, I +beg to express, in the name of my colleagues, our sincere gratitude +for the hospitality extended to the Conference by the Government of +the United States, and I beg to express our heartiest thanks to you, +Mr. President, for the able and impartial manner in which you have +presided over our deliberations. When we elected you, we unanimously +elected the first Delegate of the United States. If we had to begin +again, the personal feelings of all the delegates would supply +powerful additional reasons for making the election equally +unanimous. + +Mr. DE STRUVE'S observation met with the unanimous approval of the +Delegates. + +The PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, I am greatly honored by the kind expression +of your good feeling towards me as the President of this Conference, +and I thank you very heartily for it. The duty assigned to us all has +not been free from difficulty, but our meetings and discussions have +been characterized by great courtesy and kindness, and by a +conciliatory spirit. + +With patience and devotion the Delegates to this Congress have sought +to discharge the trust committed to them, and, as your Chairman, I beg +you to receive my most cordial thanks for the courteous consideration +I have received at your hands. The President of the United States and +the Secretary of State desire me to renew to you their thanks for your +presence here, and their best wishes for your safe and happy return +each to his own home. + +I shall esteem myself very happy hereafter whenever I shall have the +good fortune to meet any of my colleagues of the International +Meridian Conference. + +Mr. RUTHERFURD, the Delegate of the United States. Mr. President and +gentlemen, I am sure that you will all unite with me in passing the +resolution which I now propose to read: + + "_Resolved_, That the thanks of the Conference be presented + to the Secretaries for the able manner in which they have + discharged their arduous duties." + +The resolution was unanimously adopted. + +General STRACHEY, Delegate of Great Britain. I wish, sir, as one of +the Secretaries, to express my thanks for the manner in which my +labors have been esteemed by the delegates present. All that I can say +on the subject is, that however troublesome the duties of the +Secretaries have been, I have not the least doubt that anybody else +named instead of myself would equally have bestowed his best attention +on the discharge of those duties. + +Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, then said: Before the dissolution of +the Conference, Mr. CRULS and I desire specially to thank our +colleagues for the honor they have done us by entrusting to us the +revision of the French version of the protocols. In order that we +might fully respond to that honor, we have examined with all possible +care the French translations of the remarks of our colleagues. Our +only regret is that, in consequence of the desire of several of them +to quit Washington, we have been obliged to leave portions of the +translations, particularly of the last protocols, much in the state in +which we received them from the official translators, not having had +the time to correct these translations as we would have desired. + +Upon motion of Mr. JANSSEN, Delegate of France, the Conference passed +a vote of thanks to the delegate of Turkey for the aid he has rendered +the Secretaries in the revision of the protocols. + +The PRESIDENT then said: Before our final adjournment I desire to +express a very high appreciation of the ability, fidelity, and zeal +with which Mr. W. F. PEDDRICK, the Secretary attached by the +Department of State to this Conference, has performed his difficult +duties, and to thank him for his services. + +The Conference expressed its cordial assent to these observations. + +The PRESIDENT then declared that the business of the Conference having +been concluded, it would adjourn _sine die_. + + C. R. P. RODGERS, + _President._ + + R. STRACHEY, J. JANSSEN, L. CRULS, + _Secretaries._ + + + + +ANNEX I. + + + AN ACT to authorize the President of the United States to + call an International Conference to fix on and recommend for + universal adoption a common prime meridian, to be used in + the reckoning of longitude and in the regulation of time + throughout the world. + +_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the President of +the United States be authorized and requested to extend to the +governments of all nations in diplomatic relations with our own an +invitation to appoint delegates to meet delegates from the United +States in the city of Washington, at such time as he may see fit to +designate, for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper to be +employed as a common zero of longitude and standard of time-reckoning +throughout the globe, and that the President be authorized to appoint +delegates, not exceeding three in number, to represent the United +States in such International Conference. + +Approved August 3, 1882. + + + * * * * * + + + + +ANNEX II. + + + AN ACT making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of + the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, + eighteen hundred and eighty-five, and for other purposes. + +_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in Congress assembled_, That the following +sums be, and the same are hereby, appropriated for the objects +hereinafter expressed for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, +eighteen hundred and eighty-five, namely: + +Under the State Department: + +For expenses of the International Conference for fixing a common zero +of longitude and standard of time-reckoning, including cost of +printing and translations, to be expended under the direction of the +Secretary of State, five thousand dollars; and the President is hereby +authorized to appoint two delegates to represent the United States at +said International Conference, in addition to the number authorized by +the act approved August third, eighteen hundred and eighty-two, and +who shall serve without compensation. + +Approved July 7, 1884. + + + + +ANNEX III. + + +Circular.] + + + DEPARTMENT OF STATE + WASHINGTON, _October 23, 1882_. + +SIR: On the 3d of August last the President approved an act of +Congress, in the following words: + + "_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives + of the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That + the President of the United States be authorized and + requested to extend to the governments of all nations in + diplomatic relations with our own an invitation to appoint + delegates to meet delegates from the United States in the + city of Washington, at such time as he may see fit to + designate, for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper + to be employed as a common zero of longitude and standard of + time-reckoning throughout the globe, and that the President + be authorized to appoint delegates, not exceeding three in + number, to represent the United States in such international + conference." + +It may be well to state that, in the absence of a common and accepted +standard for the computation of time for other than astronomical +purposes, embarrassments are experienced in the ordinary affairs of +modern commerce; that this embarrassment is especially felt since the +extension of telegraphic and railway communications has joined States +and continents possessing independent and widely separated meridional +standards of time; that the subject of a common meridian has been for +several years past discussed in this country and in Europe by +commercial and scientific bodies, and the need of a general agreement +upon a single standard recognized; and that, in recent European +conferences especially, favor was shown to the suggestion that, as the +United States possesses the greatest longitudinal extension of any +country traversed by railway and telegraph lines, the initiatory +measures for holding an international convention to consider so +important a subject should be taken by this Government. + +The President, while convinced of the good to flow eventually from the +adoption of a common time unit, applicable throughout the globe, +thinks, however, that the effort now to be made should be to reach by +consultation a conclusion as to the advisability of assembling an +International Congress with the object of finally adopting a common +meridian. He, therefore, abstains from extending an invitation for a +meeting at an assigned day, until he has ascertained the views of the +leading Governments of the world as to whether such International +Conference is deemed desirable. + +I am accordingly directed by the President to request you to bring the +matter to the attention of the Government of ----, through the +Minister of Foreign Affairs, with a view to learning whether its +appreciation of the benefits to accrue to the intimate intercourse of +civilized peoples from the consideration and adoption of the suggested +common standard of time so far coincides with that of this Government +as to lead it to accept an invitation to participate in an +International Conference at a date to be designated in the near +future. + +You may leave a copy of this instruction with the Minister for Foreign +Affairs, and request the views of his Government thereon, at as early +a day as may be conveniently practicable. + +I am, sir, your obedient servant, + + FRED'K T. FRELINGHUYSEN. + + + * * * * * + + + + +ANNEX IV. + + +Circular.] + + DEPARTMENT OF STATE, + WASHINGTON, _December 1, 1883_. + +SIR: By a circular instruction of October 23, 1882, you were made +acquainted with (the language of) an act of Congress, approved August +3, 1882, authorizing and requesting the President to extend to other +Governments an invitation to appoint delegates to meet in the city of +Washington for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper to be +employed as a common zero of longitude and standard of time-reckoning +throughout the world; and you were instructed to bring the matter to +the attention of the Government to which you are accredited and to +inform it that the President deemed it advisable to abstain from the +issuance of the formal invitation contemplated, until through +preliminary consultation the views of the leading governments of the +world as to the desirability of holding such an International +Conference could be ascertained. + +In the year that has since elapsed this Government has received from +most of those in diplomatic relations with the United States the +approval of the project, while many have in terms signified their +acceptance and even named their delegates. + +Besides this generally favorable reception of the suggestion so put +forth, interest in the proposed reform has been shown by the +Geographical Conference held at Rome in October last, which very +decisively expressed its opinion in favor of the adoption of the +meridian of Greenwich as the common zero of time longitude, and +adjourned, leaving the discussion and final adoption of this or other +equivalent unit, and the framing of practical rules for such adoption, +to the International Conference to be held at Washington. + +The President therefore thinks the time has come to call the +Convention referred to in my instruction of October 23, 1882. I am +accordingly directed by the President to instruct you to tender to the +Government of ----, through its Minister for Foreign Affairs, an +invitation to be represented by one or more delegates (not exceeding +three) to meet delegates from the United States and other nations in +an international Conference to be held in the city of Washington on +the first day of October next, 1884, for the purpose of discussing +and, if possible, fixing upon a meridian proper to be employed as a +common zero of longitude and standard of time-reckoning throughout the +globe. + +You will seek the earliest convenient occasion to bring this invitation +to the attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of ---- by handing +him a copy hereof and requesting that the answer of his Government may +be made known to you. + +I am, sir, your obedient servant, + + FRED'K T. FRELINGHUYSEN. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of International Conference Held at +Washington for the Purpose of Fixing a Prime Meridian and a Universal Day. October, 1884., by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 17759.txt or 17759.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/7/5/17759/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Joseph Myers, Richard J. +Shiffer and the Online Distributed Proofreading team at +http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + |