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.