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.