18 UNIVERSAL OR COSMIC TIME. 
first submitted to the world by this Institute. The delegates were 
the representatives of twenty-five (25) civilized nations. The Con- 
ference continued during the whole month of October, and, as a body, 
they came to conclusions affecting all peoples living under our 
theories of civilization. 
Tt was early understood that a determination with respect to Uni- 
yersal Time was not possible without the general recognition of a 
Prime Meridian. Hence the importance attached to its choice, 
that it should be universally accepted. 
For many years attempts have been made to effect the establish- 
ment of an initial meridian recognized in common by all nations, 
but every attempt hitherto had proved completely unsuccessful. It 
is therefore the greater cause for congratulation, that the efforts of 
the Washington Conference have succeeded in its determination. 
The discussions of the Conference were long, and being carried on 
in different languages, could not have been of equal interest to all 
present. Translations became necessary, so that all the Delegates 
might equally understand the propositions which were daily submit- 
ted. This necessary course prolonged the sessions and multiplied 
the adjournments. At last, however, the choice of a Prime Meridian 
was obtained. The following resolution was passed, the Delegates 
voting by nations : 
_* Resolved, That the Conference proposes to the Governments here 
represented, the adoption of the meridian passing through the centre 
of the transit instrument at the Observatory of Greenwich as the 
initial meridian for longitude. 
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote : 
In the affirmative : 
AUSTRIA, MEXICO, 
CHILI, NETHERLANDS, 
COLOMBIA, PARAGUAY, 
COSTA RICA, RUSSIA, 
GERMANY, SALVADOR, 
GREAT BRITAIN, SPAIN, 
GUATEMALA, SWEDEN, 
HAWAITI, SWITZERLAND, 
