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.