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 President, in presenting again the resolution which was withdrawn by me to give place to the resolution offered by our colleagues from France, having taken the advice from several members of the Conference with whom I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.

I have since heard that is has been held that these resolutions had been irregularly so communicated; that is, that the communication was made in a semi-official manner. I beg to express an entire disclaimer of anything of that sort. It was merely my individual action, and I desired to give notice of certain resolutions, with the sole view of having them fully understood before we met and to save time. I hope, therefore, that this excuse and explanation will be understood and accepted.