COUNCIL — FEBR.-MARCH 1906 9 
(02) 
tatives of the various countries to express their views or those of their Govern- 
ments with regard to the continuation of the international work. 
On behalf of Germany he could intimate the following: 
The German Government considers the continuation of the international 
study of the sea after July 1907 as an important task. The Government, though 
reserving for the present the final decision whether Germany shall engage itself by 
treaty to participate in this continuation for a further period, is willing to open 
negotiations on this point with the other participating countries. - 
The German Government considers it desirable to receive as soon as pos- 
sible a summary of those investigations, which tend especially to promote the 
practical sea fisheries. With this summary a record should be combined of those 
researches as have already been brought to a close, are still being prosecuted or 
are to be taken up in the future. 
-On behalf of Belgium no statement was made. 
On behalf of Denmark Dr. C. G. Jon. Prtersen stated that he was not.in 
a position to make any definite statement; nevertheless, he believed he was entitled 
to say, that proposals to continue the international work would be favourably 
considered by the Danish Government. 
On behalf of Finland Prof. Turopor Homén and Mr. J. A. Sanpman stated, 
that they were unable to say anything definite at present, nor had they themselves 
received any authoritative commission to do so. Nevertheless, it was their 
own personal conviction that the Finnish Government would consider a contin- 
uation of the common work desirable and would thus be prepared for further 
participation. The utility of these investigations for the fisheries is recognised by 
our Government, as also, the great value of a comprehensive investigation of the 
sea from a meteorological and climatological point of view and the importance of 
greater knowledge of the currents and ice in the Finnish waters for commerce, 
especially for commerce in winter. Further, the fact that a special steamer for 
practical and scientific fisheries and hydrographical investigations has been built 
and a hydrographic-biological laboratory instituted makes it probable that the 
Government has in view a more permanent investigation. 
On behalf of Great Britain and Ireland Mr. Watrer E. Arcuer stated: 
It is impossible at the present time to say more on behalf of the British 
Government than that it is not their intention to participate in the investigations 
on the present footing after July 22nd 1907. The British Delegates find themselves 
able to agree with the opinion of the German Delegates, viz.: that it would be 
