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