“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has presented a motion proposing the adoption of the meridian of Greenwich, a motion which is again made, having been withdrawn temporarily from our discussion with the consent of its proposer.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